Addiction Specialist

SSG Project 180; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 34,770 - 42,182; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused rehabilitation organization in California seeks an Addiction Specialist to provide substance counseling and coordinate treatment services. The ideal candidate will have experience with diverse populations, strong communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Competitive pay scale ranging from $25.24 to $30.62 per hour and opportunities for professional development are provided.

Qualifications

• Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
• Addiction Specialist I: Less than 2 years experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group substance counseling to support recovery goals.
• Develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans.
• Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Culturally competent

Organizational skills

Education

Registered or certified as substance abuse counselor from CCAPP

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

Title: Addiction Specialist (I-III)

Division: Project 180

Pay Scale: $25.24-$30.62/hour

Program: AB109/FSP (DMH)

The Organization SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high‑quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice‑involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre‑arrest interventions, court‑based diversions, jail in‑reach, and intensive post‑release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).

The Position The Addiction Specialist will work within an interdisciplinary team to provide substance support for mutual clients with a forensic background. This position reports to the DMH Program Supervisor and is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive treatment plans for clients in collaboration with both case manager and therapist, coordinating substance treatment services, and conducting individual and group sessions to assist with substance recovery. A successful addiction specialist serves as a clinical expert on the treatment team, building strong relationships with clients and supporting them in making measurable progress toward individualized substance recovery goals. Job title (I‑III) to be established based on years of relevant experience.

Essential Functions

• Actively engage clients in services through the development of strong rapport, consistent contact and use of motivational interviewing; provide outreach services as needed, meeting clients “where they are at” (service location, client’s point of view).
• Provide individual and group substance counseling to support clients in their individualized recovery goals, including but not limited to increasing safety, decreasing substance use and abstinence from substances.
• Facilitate weekly substance psychoeducational groups.
• Deliver service consistent with ethical standards and a harm reduction, strength‑based, trauma‑informed framework.
• Conduct urine analysis tests as indicated by a client’s treatment plan.

Coordinate community‑based substance treatment services

• Develop and maintain partnerships with residential, sobering/detox centers for client referrals.
• Link clients to needed community resources to support substance recovery; monitor ongoing participation and facilitate problem solving to target barriers; accompany clients to linkage appointments when appropriate.
• Collaborate with external partners (e.g., DMH, DPH‑SAPC, probation, primary care clinics) to ensure high quality, integrated care; facilitate linkage to DPH‑SAPC as needed.

Engage with multidisciplinary treatment team to coordinate client care

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings with residential sites, sobering/detox centers, housing staff, and probation.
• Contribute to planning and execution of clinical interventions in collaboration with the treatment team, leveraging unique skills and abilities of team members.

Documentation and reporting

• Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record per program guidelines.
• Maintain and submit billing records per program guidelines.
• Participate in program data collection per program guidelines.
• Adhere to mandated reporting requirements.

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations

• Regular attendance required; holiday or weekend work may be required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Maintain active license and/or registration as applicable (e.g., BBS, CCAPP).

Skills and Abilities

• Clinical expertise: provides substance counseling with a focus on high‑quality service delivery.
• Empathetic and able to develop strong relationships with clients.
• Communication skills: clearly conveys information, builds rapport, and effectively engages with clients.
• Culturally competent: understands and is sensitive to diverse backgrounds and needs.
• Collaborative: works in diverse teams to solve complex issues.
• Adaptive to changing circumstances and client needs in a dynamic environment.
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Detail‑oriented, organized, and has strong time‑management skills.

Minimum Qualifications

Required

• Registered or certified as substance abuse counselor from CCAPP.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required; must be able to transport clients in personal vehicle.
• Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
• Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check.
• Basic computer skills.
• Addiction Specialist I: Less than 2 years experience.
• Addiction Specialist II: 2 years experience.
• Addiction Specialist III: 3 or more years of experience.

Preferred

• Experience working with the forensic and/or dual‑diagnosed populations.
• Experience working on an interdisciplinary team in a mental health or outpatient setting.
• Knowledge of and experience with providing trauma‑informed services.
• Spanish speaking.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings, including Project 180’s interim housing sites.

Physical Requirements

The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.

Mental Requirements

The employee must be able to perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high‑stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.