Recovery Support Specialist (32 Hour)

Recovery Support Specialist (32 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is now hiring for a part-time Recovery Support Specialist to join our team at the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS), FS Dubois Center, located at 1351 Washington Blvd, Stamford, CT 06905. This position is part-time, 32 hours per week, first shift, Tuesday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.

We offer professional growth and development opportunities and a healthy work/life balance. The role involves providing coaching and guidance to assist individuals in identifying recovery goals, support networks, employment and/or educational opportunities; utilizing your own lived experience as well as evidence-based Wellness Management techniques; and providing education around client rights and responsibilities, tools for recovery and management of mental health, substance use and medical issues.

DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve. SWCMHS strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent.

A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

For assistance in applying, check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

Before you apply, ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.

Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jensine Tran at Jensine.Tran@ct.gov.

The purpose of this job class is to use shared life experiences and recovery management techniques to engage, motivate, educate and mentor clients in achieving individualized goals for successful community living.

Examples of duties include offering peer support using shared life experiences and interactions; providing ongoing engagement and fostering the use of individuals' strengths and abilities to improve socialization, self-advocacy, use of natural supports, and community living skills; utilizing client centered approaches to assist clients in identifying recovery priorities; coaching and providing skill building, and linking clients to community-services; participating in assigned rehabilitative interventions, supports clients to meet their needs and goals, and providing observations to the individual and to the clinical team; providing outreach, engagement, and interventions as identified through the recovery planning process; assisting with community integration by providing support for attendance at self-help meetings, medical appointments, and use of public transportation; providing psycho educational interventions to clients and families about recovery practices; engaging clients at risk or with medical conditions in wellness activities, attend medical and clinical appointments with clients as indicated, serve as a peer to assist navigating healthcare systems, and provide support in dealing with stress; completing medical record documentation in accordance with policies and procedures; using and having knowledge of computer software including for documentation and training purposes; processing considerable interpersonal skills, and oral and written communication skills; protecting and maintaining client confidentiality; and traveling to provide services and attend meetings.

Knowledge of community support systems and resources; person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning and other recovery management techniques; the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to observe and redirect client behavior; utilize computer software.

Minimum qualifications: Six (6) months of experience working in the mental health and/or substance use recovery field. Six (6) months of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

Preferred qualifications include experience working in the community to assist mental health substance abuse clients, experience facilitating peer-led groups, experience working as a Recovery Support Specialist providing trauma-informed community-based care to clients with severe and persistent mental illness.

Special requirements include possessing and retaining a recovery support certification, adhering to the DMHAS Peer Support Ethical Guidelines, potential requirement to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language, potential requirement to travel, and potential requirement to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.