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Recovery Support Specialist (35 Hour)


Job Location:

Norwich, NY - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 65337 - 65337
Posted: 8 August 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 5 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Introduction
Are you passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to recovery from mental health or substance use challenges
Have you gained expertise in engaging individuals with compassion and empathy
If so we invite you to apply and join our dedicated team!

THE POSITION

HIGHLIGHTS
  • FACILITY: Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA)
  • LOCATION: 401 West Thames Street Unit 301 Norwich CT
  • SCHEDULE: Full-Time 35 Hours per Week First Shift 8:00am - 3:30pm Monday through Friday
  • UNIT: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team
  • POSITION NUMBER:

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Conduct skills training and recovery focused self-help groups with the goal of helping clients promote recovery from a bio-psycho-social aspect;
  • Assist in engaging clients in their own recovery journeys engaging in community resources and self-help groups maintaining a safe and therapeutic milieu within the Agency and assisting clients in defining and achieving personal goals and recovery plans;
  • Serve as a role model to teach recovery principles and shared life- experiences to others to demonstrate hope and opportunities for change and growth to others in recovery;
  • Assist individuals in recovery in knowing and exercising their rights provide rehabilitative interventions and education in the community and document client interactions including progress towards goal achievement and independence;
  • Assist clients to manage successes and challenges in their recovery journeys by providing supportive coaching and guidance in navigating community resources;
  • Facilitate recovery groups for dually diagnosed individuals addressing many aspects of recovery including healthy relationships wellness and self-advocacy/ self-worth. May also refer clients to self-help groups such as AA or NA and other outside services clients may need;
  • Accompany clients to medical appointments and other appointments in the community; and
  • Communicate care with SMHA staff in team meetings on clients recovery goals and progress.


ABOUT US
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.

SMHA is a community mental health agency operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Its primary goal is to provide high quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns. Services which include case management outpatient behavioral health crisis intervention respite care and forensic services are recovery oriented and offered in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive manner. We support individuals to identify and achieve their own goals in recovery fostering independence dignity and ability.

The ACT Team is a multidisciplinary clinical team that delivers comprehensive services to clients who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and whose needs have not been met by more traditional service delivery approaches. Individuals served by the ACT team have often experienced frequent psychiatric hospitalization and use of hospital emergency rooms involvement with the criminal justice system substance abuse and lack of engagement with traditional outpatient services. By basing treatment in the community the team can better assist the client with challenges they face. The team provides community support services interwoven with treatment and rehabilitative services and regularly scheduled team meetings with the goal of individualizing client care.

PLEASE NOTE:
Selection Plan

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:

  • 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 updatessuch as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling linksplease check your Personal Status Board 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 questionnaires 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 employer may participate inE-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS WERE 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

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for using 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
  • Guides clients through the process of defining personal goals for their recovery plan using existing evidence-based workbooks or person-centered planning tools;
  • Supports and guides clients in following tasks outlined in their recovery plan (i.e. pursuing goals related to employment education community involvement and the use of natural supports);
  • Guides clients in identifying and exercising their rights;
  • Participates in rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions to meet client needs and goals;
  • Provides information and support to clients and encourages their development of community networks and activities relating to community integration;
  • Provides instruction and skill training in recovery management to clients and families;
  • Acts as a peer health navigator to engage clients who have or are at risk for co-morbid medical conditions in wellness activities;
  • Supports clients to secure information about resources relevant to their wellness;
  • Supports clients in obtaining services that meet their recovery needs;
  • Supports clients in dealing with internal and external stress;
  • Attends medical/clinical appointments with clients in a peer capacity;
  • Accompanies clients as peers on volunteer opportunities and activities;
  • Organizes and conducts workshops on topics related to recovery and wellness including New Employee Orientation at the local level;
  • Observes and reports clients behavior;
  • Prepares and submits incident or other related forms;
  • Updates clients notes in the medical record as required;
  • Enters computerized data as required;
  • May coach adaptive client behaviors through verbal communication;
  • May provide outreach and transportation;
  • Performs related duties as required.
INPATIENT SETTINGS:

In addition to the duties listed above the responsibilities move from providing one-on-one peer support to demonstrating and coaching the client through the development of coping and community adjustment skills and linking the client with important community resources including:

  • Accompanies clients off the unit and on to the hospital campus or community to practice entering unexpected situations and managing stress and disorientation;
  • Accompanies clients on day passes to the community to acclimate the client to their new community;
  • May provide coverage at Peer Desk Center to engage and offer peer support to the general hospital population.
KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITY
  • 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 - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Six (6) months of experience working in the mental health and/or substance use recovery field.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
Six (6) months of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience working with individuals in various stages of recovery and high levels of acuity in community-based settings
  • Experience staying organized to track client progress and facilitate connection to community resources
  • Experience facilitating recovery-focused skills training and self-help groups with an understanding of recovery from a holistic bio-psycho-social perspective
  • Experience empowering individuals through peer-led support strengths-based approaches and navigating the rights of individuals in recovery through system and resource connection
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a recovery support certification.
  • Incumbents must adhere to the DMHAS Peer Support Ethical Guidelines.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operators license.
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.

Required Experience:

IC


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