State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Correctional Counselor Trainee (1769CO)

$28.37-$37.38 Hourly / $2,056.75-$2,709.43 BiWeekly /
$53,681.00-$70,716.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a Department of Correction facility or community setting this class is accountable for receiving intensive training in the provision of counseling services to offenders and their families.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the close supervision of a Correctional Counselor or Correctional Counselor Supervisor; works more independently with acquired experience.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Receives training in agency counseling procedures, personnel policies, program guidelines and legal reporting requirements;
  • Receives training in and is given progressively complex assignments involving utilization of interviewing techniques required to assess client needs, elicit information and establish community referral sources;
  • Provides basic counseling services to a limited number of offenders enrolled in departmental programs or their family members receiving services;
  • Prepares initial treatment plans, psycho-social evaluation, case histories and other case records as components of a small assigned caseload;
  • Refers offenders and family members for community or social services, medical or psychological services or housing, financial and employment assistance;
  • Motivates offenders to increase their ability to understand and cope with problems, frustration and anxiety;
  • Performs a greater number of specific and complex counselor duties and maintains a larger caseload as skills are acquired during training program;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • individual and group behavior;
    • reciprocal relationship between individuals and their social, economic and cultural environment;
    • counseling and interviewing techniques;
    • cultural competencies and ethical standards;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • interpret policies and procedures;
    • relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds;
    • organize time, set priorities and manage workload;
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Possession of a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in counseling, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or social work.

NOTE: Candidates cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are completed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

One (1) year of successful and satisfactory job performance as a Correction Officer and possession of a bachelor’s degree in counseling, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or social work or a related social and human services degree may be appointed to this class.

NOTE: Examples of a closely related social and human services degree are criminology, human services, justice and law administration.

PROMOTION

  • Incumbents in this class will be eligible for promotion upon completion of a two (2) year period of training and satisfactory service in the promoting agency.
  • Incumbents with prior employment as a Correction Officer will be eligible for promotion upon completion of a one (1) year period of training and satisfactory job performance.  The promotion will be effective the first day of the pay period following completion of the training program.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to successfully complete a formal training course in correctional work to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the class.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair health or usefulness and possess and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity required to perform all the duties of the class.
  • A comprehensive medical examination, including a controlled substance screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to a considerable degree of danger of injury or assault by offenders.

APPOINTMENT

Appointment to positions in this class will be for a period not to exceed six months past the required period of training for the target class.

COMPENSATION GUIDELINES

First Year of Training          CO 07    Step 1 
Second Year of Training  CO 07    Step 3 

NOTE:  Appointments to positions in this class for current state employees will be in accordance with the guidelines for computing salary adjustments set forth by the Department of Administrative Services, Determining Salary Upon Change in Class.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(06)-Counseling

BARGAINING UNIT

(08)-CORR OFFICERS (NP-4)

EEO

(4)-Protective Service

SALARY INFORMATION

CO 07

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Correctional Counselor Trainee in Salary Group CO 07 approved effective April 01, 2022. (Revised to modernize format and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 23-174

EFFECTIVE DATE

07/17/2023
CLASS: 1769CO; EST: 11/22/1996; REV: 7/17/2023;