Professional Counselor (40 Hour)

Recruitment #251119-6355FP-001
Location: Danbury, CT
Date Opened: 12/10/2025 12:00:00 AM
Salary: $86,261* - $116,571/year (*New state employees start at the minimum.)
Job Type: Open to the Public
Close Date: 12/19/2025 11:59:00 PM

The Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is seeking to hire a Professional Counselor at the Western CT Mental Health Network - Danbury Area (WCMHN-Danbury Area).

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Schedule:
  • Monday - Friday
  • Full-time (40 hours per week)
  • First shift (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
• Location: 78 Triangle Street (Building I) in Danbury, CT
• Facility: Western CT Mental Health Network - Danbury Area (WCMHN-Danbury Area)
• Unit: Outpatient Unit
• Work Environment: Office/On-site
• Position Number: 25839

THE ROLE

The Professional Counselor will spend fifty percent (50%) of their time with intake/liaison duties and fifty percent (50%) of their time providing direct care for clients assigned to their caseload from our Outpatient Services Program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works within a multi-disciplinary team and develops professional relationships with clients and other providers;
• Liaises with state hospitals, local hospitals, non-profit providers, and other state agencies;
• Helps identify community resources, clinical services, and housing resources that will best support the individuals we serve;
• Collaborates with outside providers and potential clients via our intake phone line;
• Attends treatment plan meetings;
• Reviews requests for services;
• May be responsible for conducting intakes, psychosocial assessments, trauma assessments, crisis and risk assessments, and ongoing evaluation;
• Performs provision of care-coordination and case-management for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders;
• May provide individual therapy and facilitate group therapy for WCMHN-Danbury clients.

ABOUT US

DMHAS - The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services 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.

WCMHN - The Western Connecticut Mental Health Network’s mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect.

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Licensure as a professional counselor in the State of Connecticut.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience identifying risk factors, psychosocial stressors, and behavioral indicators to develop individualized treatment plans aligned with clinical best practices
• Experience conducting crisis and risk assessments in clinical settings or community-based environments
• Experience with evidence-based practices and their application in clinical settings to support research-informed treatment interventions
• Experience with clinical service modalities and community-based resources to facilitate client access to care and ensure continuity of services in alignment with clinical guidelines

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.