State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In a Department of Correction facility or community setting this class is accountable for independently performing individual and group counseling of offenders, overseeing counseling programs and is assigned the full range of cases for individual attention.

This classification shall be used in one of the following ways:

• FACILITY: Incumbents in this class work in a correctional facility and are assigned a caseload of offenders. Incumbents are responsible for a full range of case management functions including utilization of an effective inmate classification process, which individually addresses the security and programmatic needs of each offender. Incumbents are responsible for ensuring continuity of services for offenders upon transfer to another facility or upon completion of sentence.
• COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION: Incumbents in this class may not be assigned a specific caseload of offenders at a particular facility but work in a facility or community setting and are responsible for providing reintegration and transitional services to offenders eligible for release into the community. Incumbents in this class are responsible for identifying services and ensuring continuity of such services upon release to a community setting.

Works under the general supervision of a Correctional Counselor Supervisor or other employee of higher grade.

• Performs a full range of casework and counseling functions for an assigned group of offenders;
• Coordinates offender rehabilitation program within facility;
• Periodically checks offender progress and recommends changes;
• Provides intensive counseling;
• Oversees special program areas such as domestic violence, parenting, educational/vocational training, cognitive behavior and transitional and faith-based services;
• Develops and maintains comprehensive treatment files including treatment plans and progress notes, discharge summaries, job development and placement, crisis intervention and referrals;
• Assists in special adjustments within facility;
• Assists other staff in performing difficult or hazardous investigations;
• Prepares detailed reports for classification committees and other groups evaluating offender progress;
• Prepares community release/classification packages;
• Performs inmate classification duties in accordance with agency policy;
• Monitors and evaluates work of staff;
• Acts as liaison with facility staff, Parole and Community Services, Board of Pardons and Paroles, law enforcement and community agencies to ensure continuity of services for offenders;
• May test and evaluate offenders at any stage of correctional process in terms of psychological, educational, vocational, social and medical needs;
• May be required to coordinate volunteer programs;
• May physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist security forces in emergencies;
• May be required to collect urine samples and/or conduct on-site urinalysis to determine offender drug and/or alcohol usage;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Performs a full range of casework and counseling functions for an assigned group of offenders;
• Provides professional planning and services such as discharge planning;
• Coordinate release of paroled offenders;
• Ensures continuity of services upon transfer from facility to community;
• Develops with offender and other members of criminal justice system alternatives to incarceration, rehabilitation plans for period of confinement or adjustment back into community;
• Coordinates offender rehabilitation program within community;
• Provides intensive counseling;
• Oversees special program areas such as domestic violence, parenting, educational/vocational training, cognitive behavior and transitional and faith-based services;
• Develops and maintains comprehensive treatment files including treatment plans and progress notes, discharge summaries, job development and placement, crisis intervention and referrals;
• Assists in providing continuity of employment upon parole;
• Investigates violations and recommends adjustments;
• Conducts or assists other staff in making difficult or hazardous investigations;
• Prepares detailed reports for parole board and other groups evaluating offender progress;
• May transport offenders;
• May be required to coordinate volunteer programs;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • sociological and psychological concepts with emphasis on analysis of criminal behavior;
  • cultural competencies and ethical standards;
  • counseling and interviewing techniques;
  • individual and social factors relating to personal adjustment;
• Knowledge of
  • community resources;
  • current correctional practices including inmate classification systems and parole process;
  • evidence-based practices in core program areas;
  • caseload methodology;
  • state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • addictions, recovery and/or relapse prevention;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • prepare clear and concise reports and case histories;
  • organize time, set priorities and manage workload;
  • utilize computer software.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a correctional counseling, parole or probation program.

• College training in counseling, criminal justice, psychology, sociology or social work may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  
• A Master's degree in counseling, criminal justice, psychology, sociology or social work may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  
• One (1) year as a Correctional Counselor Trainee and previous working experience as a Correctional Officer may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
• Two (2) years as a Correctional Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
• Four (4) years as a Correctional Treatment Officer may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

• Incumbents in this class are required to possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification at the time of appointment.
• 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.

• 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.

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

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Correctional Counselor in Salary Group CO 12 approved effective April 01, 2022. (Revised to modernize format and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 23-174