Advanced Professional Counselor (Spanish/English Bilingual)
Office/On-site
Recruitment # 260715-4249FP-001
Location Bridgeport, CT
Date Opened 7/20/2026 12:00:00 AM
Salary $95,099 - $128,251/year New state employees start at minimum salary range.
Job Type Open to the Public
Close Date 7/29/2026 11:59:00 PM
Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)
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Introduction
Are you a Spanish-speaking professional ready to make an impact in your community?
Are you seeking a role that will accelerate your career growth?
If so, we invite you to apply and explore this exciting opportunity!
THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services ( DMHAS (https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/About-DMHAS/Agency/About-DMHAS) ), Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System ( SWCMHS (https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/SWCMHS/Agency-Files/SWCMHS) ) is hiring for a bilingual Spanish/English Advanced Professional Counselor (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=4249FP&R1=&R3=) .
We are seeking a candidate who is preferably bilingual in Spanish and English, with strong oral and written communication skills in both languages.
FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System ( SWCMHS (https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/SWCMHS/Agency-Files/SWCMHS) )
UNIT: Mobile Crisis Team
LOCATION: Bridgeport, CT
SCHEDULE: 1st Shift, 40 hour per week, Monday - Friday- 8:00am - 4:30 pm
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!
Professional growth and development opportunities
A healthy work/life balance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6n9M1Qd5fo) to all employees
THE ROLE:
As a member of the Mobile Crisis Team, you will independently provide highly skilled clinical work to individuals who have clinical and/or substance misuse. You will provide evaluation services to clients in crisis who present with complex psychological and social needs.
Key responsibilities include:
Conducting comprehensive clinical assessments
Collaborating, consulting, and coordinating with law enforcement
Providing clinical and/or administrative consultation to staff
Providing crisis assessments and interventions, including risk management
Conducting intakes and making referrals to treatment and other community behavioral health services
Providing follow-up contact to ensure that individuals engage with recommended services
Maintaining thorough documentation for each individual served
Enhancing communication across the local behavioral health system, including forensics, law enforcement, and criminal justice partners
Promoting effective linkages and resource utilization within the behavioral health network
Issuing emergency certifications for clients requiring transport to emergency departments for further assessment and intervention
Educating local providers and law enforcement agencies on behavioral health issues, homelessness, and the complex needs of high-risk individuals, as well as available behavioral health resources
Providing direct clinical care in a wide range of community settings, including face-to-face assessments in the community and criminal justice environments
Utilizing electronic health records for all required documentation
Other related duties (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=4249FP&R1=&R3=) as assigned
OUR MISSION :
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.
The Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services.
PLEASE NOTE:
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 (https://portal.ct.gov/das/-/media/das/statewide-hr/a---z-listing-task-pdfs/drug-free-workplace-policy--february-2016.pdf) .
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit (https://jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=KIT) for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
Meet Minimum Qualifications: 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.
Educational Credits: 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.
Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
Preferred Shift/Location: 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.
Timely Submission: 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.
Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/newregpages/IDPassfind.asp?from=existing) regularly.
For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Note: 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.
This employer may participate in E-Verify (https://www.e-verify.gov/employees) and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.
QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. 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 Anamaria Giangarra at Anamaria.giangarra@ct.gov
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state agency behavioral health program as part of a multi-disciplinary team at one or more locations this class is accountable for skilled clinical counseling treatment and leadership services involving complex case assignments.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Independently provides highly skilled direct professional counseling treatment services to clients with complex emotional, behavioral or interpersonal problems through comprehensive clinical assessments and provision of individual, family and group treatment;
Provides individual field work instruction and/or clinical supervision which includes instruction in use of comprehensive psychosocial assessments, case management, needs assessment and supportive counseling;
Develops and maintains comprehensive treatment and/or rehabilitation plans including measurable treatment objectives;
Initiates consultation and collaboration with other mental health providers to improve delivery of current services and/or identify unmet needs within current service system;
Assists in resolution of administrative, personnel and clinical issues in program;
Develops data for statistical and planning systems and/or research and publication;
Prepares administrative reports and suggests operational policies and procedures;
Oversees development and/or implementation of individual client treatment plans;
May be assigned administrative oversight of research projects;
May provide expert testimony to courts;
May represent program in liaison relationships with other community agencies and resources;
May chair or serve on unit committees that develop services for clients;
Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of
and ability to instruct others on principles, methodology, casework and techniques of counseling, interviewing and psychosocial assessment;
family and interpersonal relationship dynamics;
Knowledge of
statutes, regulations and standards relating to mental health services;
state law governing licensed professional counselor practice standards;
Considerable
interpersonal skills;
oral and written communication skills;
Ability to
integrate theory and case material in assessing and devising comprehensive treatment plans for difficult and/or complex case assignments;
lead task groups including but not limited to treatment teams.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
One (1) year of experience as a licensed professional counselor.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bi-lingual Spanish and English speaking, with oral and written communications skills in both languages
Experience working with community-based outpatient mental health and substance use treatment programs
Experience conducting crisis assessments and risk assessments in high-acuity settings
Experience supervising staff and supporting professional development within clinical teams
Experience working in diverse and inclusive environments
Experience collaborating with community providers, local hospitals, police departments, and outpatient clinical teams
Experience using Office 365 applications, especially Word and Excel
Experience using Electronic Medical Record systems (such as WITS)
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice professional counselor work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (aa-jj) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in certain designated positions.
Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in certain designated positions.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive clients.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
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.
Click on a link below to apply for this position:
Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
