Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor

County of Sonoma; Santa Rosa (CA); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Telework

Salary advancement

Career advancement

Bilingual premium pay

Paid time off

Health premium contributions

Staff development/Wellness

Post-retirement health benefits

Pension

Paid parental leave

Student loan debt relief

Job summary

The County of Sonoma's Department of Health Services is recruiting an Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor to support the DUI program, provide case management, counseling, education and evaluations to individuals, groups and families participating in the program.

The DUI program works with the court and DMV, with bilingual ability preferred; salary ranges from $83,025.63 to $110,492.13 annually, plus hybrid telework, benefits, time off and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Ethical judgment and professional judgment in DUI cases and client needs.
• Strong active listening and communication skills.
• Cultural competence to engage diverse populations.
• Experience with motivational interviewing and crisis intervention.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is highly desired but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management, counseling, education and evaluations to individuals, groups and families in the DUI program.
• Screen and assess clients; maintain documentation; prepare court and program reports; provide diversion services.
• Coordinate with DMV to ensure program requirements are met; refer as needed; audit files and caseloads.

Skills

Ethical judgment

Active listening

Cultural competence

Motivational interviewing

Crisis intervention

Bilingual English/Spanish

Documentation skills

Case management

Job description

County of Sonoma

Santa Rosa, CA

Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor

Salary: $83,025.63 - $110,492.13 Annually

Join the Department of Health Services as an Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor and make a difference in your community!

The Department of Health Services is currently recruiting to fill an Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor position at either the I or II level. If you are interested in being considered at the different levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitments being conducted for each level.

The Department of Health Services is looking for an Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) Counselor to work in their Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Program. The Driving Under the Influence Program works with the Court to provide services to first-time and repeat offenders. The DUI Program is a state‑mandated service governed by Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations, which requires ongoing compliance monitoring. The AODS Counselors in the DUI program provide case management, counseling, education, and evaluations to individuals, groups, and families participating in the program. This work involves screening and assessing clients, maintaining excellent documentation, preparing court and client program reports, and providing diversion services. In addition, AODS Counselors will work with the DMV to ensure clients meet program requirements, provide referrals as needed, and regularly audit files, documentation, and caseloads.

Please note: In the state of California, staff assigned to a DUI program who conduct educational sessions shall have at least two years of experience in providing alcohol and/or drug education and information to persons with alcohol and/or other drug problems in a classroom setting. This California requirement must be met to move forward in the process for this currently open DUI position.

As the ideal candidate for this position, you will have a passion for this field of work and a genuine dedication to being an AODS Counselor, which enhances empathy and understanding when working with your clients. In addition, you will possess many of the following:

• The ability to use ethical and professional judgment when working with DUI cases and client needs
• A general understanding of relevant local, state, and federal laws and regulations
• Excellent active listening skills, along with strong professional communication skills
• Cultural competence and the ability to engage with diverse populations
• Experience with motivational interviewing, conflict resolution, problem‑solving, and crisis intervention
• The proven ability to maintain healthy boundaries and adhere to high ethical standards
• Intellectual curiosity and commitment to ongoing professional development, including staying informed on current trends and treatment methodologies
• English/Spanish bilingual fluency (highly desired but not required)

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full‐time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor II ($43.55 - $52.94/hour)
• Bilingual Premium Pay - An additional $1.50/hour on top of the hourly pay rate for fluent bilingual positions
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals and 12 paid holidays
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee‑only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post‑Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post‑retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Learn more and apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sonoma

The County of Sonoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to having a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve.