State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In a Department of Correction facility or community setting this class is accountable for receiving intensive training in individual or group substance abuse counseling services to offenders.

Works under the close supervision of a Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor, Correctional Counselor Supervisor or other employee of higher grade; works more independently with acquired experience.

• Receives training in agency substance abuse counseling procedures, offender rehabilitation programs, 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 alcohol and drug dependent offenders;
• Participates in screening offenders to determine eligibility for programs;
• Assists in orientation of offenders to treatment programs;
• 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;
• Assists with crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress;
• Assists in maintaining treatment files;
• Performs greater number of specific and complex substance abuse counselor duties and maintains a larger caseload as skills are acquired during training program;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Knowledge of
  • addictions, recovery and/or relapse prevention;
  • sociological and psychological concepts with emphasis on analysis of criminal behavior;
  • individual and group behavior;
  • cultural competencies and ethical standards;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds;
  • organize time, set priorities and manage workload;
  • utilize computer software.

Three (3) years of experience in casework and/or counseling with some work with clients/offenders with behavioral healthcare issues.

College training in human behavior 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 three (3) years.

• Incumbents in this class will be eligible for promotion without further competitive examination upon completion of the three (3) year period of training and certification or licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
• Incumbents in this class who meet the qualifications of the target class and receive certification or licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor before the end of the training period will be eligible for promotion without further examination.

• 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 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.

This class is intended to permit the Department of Correction to recruit and train employees for the class of Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor. An employee may be appointed to this class for a period not to exceed three (3) years. No exceptions or extensions beyond the three (3) years will be granted.

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.

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee in Salary Group CO 07 approved effective August 07, 2015. (Revised to modernize format and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 23-174