Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor (40 Hour)(Office/On-Site)

Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor (40 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #260811-0452FP-001

Location Middletown, CT

Date Opened 8/13/2026 12:00:00 AM Salary $104,860 - $140,691/year Job Type Open to Agency Employees Close Date 8/21/2026 11:59:00 PM

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Introduction

Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified and experiened individual for the position of Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor. This position provides leadership to a multidisciplinary team ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compassionate services. *Please note this is an opportunity for current DMHAS employees only.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Facility: Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH)
• Unit: Unit 3, Whiting Max
• Location: Middletown, CT
• Work Schedule: Full-Time (40 Hours), First Shift. Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
• PCN: 24899
• Please Note: This is a Hazardous Duty position.

What We Can Offer You:

• As a State of Connecticut employee, we offer the same competitive benefits which you are accustomed (Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Discover the opportunity to:

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.
• Oversee the operations of a unit in the Whiting Forensic Hospital.
• Develop and maintain close collaborative working relationships with all disciplines involved in the planning and functioning of unit activities.
• Provide support to a hospital that is committed to improving the lives of those we serve.
• Assist our clients and employees so they can achieve success.
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.

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.

Whiting Forensic Hospital specializes in providing inpatient services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings. Services are provided to individuals who are admitted via Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) commitment, criminal court order for restoration of competency to stand trial, civil commitment or transfer from the Department of Correction. Discharge options are dependent on legal status and the purpose of admission. The hospital consists of 91 maximum security beds and 138 enhanced security beds.

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.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

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:

• 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, 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 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 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 Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Children and Families in-patient facility this class is accountable for directing and supervising a multi-shift clinical unit.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Schedules, assigns and oversees the work of a multi-shift unit including direct supervision of all shifts;
• Participates in the development of unit goals and objectives;
• Develops unit procedures and policies;
• Ensures compliance of unit procedures and policies;
• Assists in recruitment, selection, training and development of staff;
• Develops competency-based job descriptions for unit staff;
• Ensures unit staff receive appropriate training;
• Conducts performance appraisals, determines priorities and plans, coordinates and supervises unit activities;
• Ensures cross-shift communication among staff;
• Develops relationships with and acts as liaison to other operating units, agencies and outside officials;
• Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team to develop, evaluate and monitor programs;
• Coordinates interdisciplinary team meetings;
• Collaborates and directs any necessary alternate treatment;
• Monitors and tracks client care to ensure quality, effectiveness and timeliness of patient care and requisite hours of treatment are met;
• Facilitates bilingual interpretation as needed;
• Identifies barriers and assists in developing strategies and solutions for improving client care;
• Prepares reports;
• May perform clinical direct care duties;
• May write client treatment plans;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of

• relevant agency policies and procedures;

• behavioral health treatment, principles and values of care;

• psychiatric rehabilitation principles and/or addictions detox rehabilitation;

• entitlement and benefit programs;

• variety of intervention and support strategies;

• Knowledge of

• and ability to apply principles of risk management;

• relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;

• societal, cultural and gender issues as they impact upon mental illness;

• psychotropic medications;

• Considerable

• interpersonal skills;

• oral and written communication skills;

• facilitation, collaboration and conflict resolution skills;

• Ability to

• identify and articulate philosophical foundations for specific program models or service approaches;

• delegate authority;

• plan and organize effectively;

• integrate community resources into service delivery planning;

• develop and maintain effective relationships with community representatives and staff;

• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional health care experience in a behavioral health setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at a lead or supervisory level responsible for coordinating the work of a unit or team of professionals in a behavioral health setting.

NOTE: For state employees the lead level is interpreted at the level of an Advanced Clinical Social Worker, Advanced Professional Counselor or Advanced Marital and Family Therapist for the behavioral health discipline and a Head Nurse for the nursing discipline. The supervisory level is interpreted at the level of a Supervising Addiction Counselor for the substance abuse/addictions discipline.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelors degree.

• A Masters degree in a health care field related to one of the disciplines in the Special Experience may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a hospital setting with patients who have serious mental illness.
• Experience supervising professional staff members.
• Experience working with the forensic population.
• Experience ensuring compliance with regulatory and oversight agencies such as The Joint Commission and the Department of Public Health.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license as a Clinical Social Worker, Professional Counselor, Marital and Family Therapist, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Registered Nurse in the State of Connecticut or hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess certification as a clinical supervisor by the Connecticut Certification Board.

• 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients, may have significant exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury and may be exposed to strongly disagreeable conditions.

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