Chemical Dependency Counselor (Therapeutic Community) (RCCF)

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 32,456 - 44,083; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota State Government is seeking a Licensed Addiction Counselor at the New Rapid City Women’s Prison Facility. This full-time role involves providing substance use disorder services to offenders, conducting evaluations, and offering both group and individual therapy.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in counseling and experience in behavioral health treatment. Duties include consultation with staff and ensuring treatment compliance, with an additional 10% premium for specialized responsibilities.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in behavioral health treatment.
• Master’s or Doctorate in a behavioral health science can substitute education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide substance use disorder services to an offender population.
• Consult on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Monitor offender treatment and ensure compliance.
• Provide clinical direction to non-clinical staff.
• Document electronic behavioral health records.

Skills

Direct behavioral health care

Clinical documentation

Excellent interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Independent work capability

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in alcohol and drug abuse studies, counseling, psychology

Valid certification as Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC)

Job description

Job ID: 36462 | Agency: Department of Corrections - Behavioral Health | Location: Rapid City, SD (RCCF) | Salary: $23.56 to $32.00 per hour (pay grade H)

This is a full‑time 40‑hour weekly position at the New Rapid City Women’s Prison Facility. The role provides substance use disorder services to the offender population, including formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions within a specialized housing unit that offers group and individual sessions in a therapeutic community setting. An additional 10% premium is paid for specialized therapeutic community responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Consult with unit staff on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Monitor offender treatment and documentation to assure compliance and continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate Information System behavioral health needs levels and provide group, brief, and individual treatment.
• Provide clinical direction to non‑clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of offenders.
• Ensure continuity of care by making referrals and providing necessary information and documentation to receiving units, facilities, or agencies.
• Document electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive offender behavioral health records.
• Listen to offender concerns and provide counseling and direction.
• Advise, counsel, inform, and guide staff within the clinical unit, the facility, clinical and administrative supervisors, and outside agencies to ensure continuity and direction of behavioral health care.
• Respond to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and offender behavioral management issues.
• Maintain program standards through compliance with all applicable professional, departmental, organizational, and unit standards.
• Promote and ensure safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through observations and contraband control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in alcohol and drug abuse studies, counseling, psychology, or a related field (preferred).
• One year of full‑time experience delivering behavioral health treatment in a drug and alcohol program, mental health program, or sex offender program.
• Current, valid certification from South Dakota as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC).
• A Master’s or Doctorate in a behavioral health science or closely related field substitutes for the bachelor’s degree on a year‑for‑year basis.
• Experience providing addiction treatment substitutes for the education requirement on a year‑for‑year basis.

Required Competencies

• Ability to provide direct behavioral health care to offenders.
• Ability to produce comprehensive clinical documentation.
• Independent work capability.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across programs and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must maintain certification/licensure as an addiction counselor.
• Ability to work with a diverse population of offenders.
• Strong organization, planning, and prioritizing skills.
• Capacity to multi‑task and demonstrate flexibility.
• Ability to provide addiction counseling as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Creativity in implementing therapeutic interventions.
• Proficiency in reading and comprehending the English language.
• Effective verbal and written communication in English.
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content following plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.

Preferred Qualifications

• State Service experience providing addiction treatment to an incarcerated population.
• Experience with a diverse population.
• Experience with highly resistant clients.
• Experience providing addiction counseling in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Conditions of Employment

• Background investigation, urine drug screen, and completion of required tests (self‑defense, CPR, TB screening).
• Ability to carry Oleoresin Capsicum (OC/pepper spray) if desired, including successful completion of a written and practical self‑defense exam and CPR to AHA guidelines.
• Physical ability requirements for the self‑defense exam: lifting arms, controlled takedown, delivering blows, withstanding impact, rotating body, repeated kneel‑up.

Additional Requirements

Attach resume and three professional references with your application.

Equal Opportunity Statement

“An Equal Opportunity Employer.” This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted online at https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=49R. Emails and resumes sent to the office will not be accepted.

Immigration Compliance

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I‑9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E‑Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.