Recovery Specialist I/II

County of Del Norte, CA; Crescent City (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Del Norte in Crescent City, CA seeks a Recovery Specialist I/II within the Health & Human Services Department, Behavioral Health Branch. The role provides alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment services under supervision, with progression possible with experience.

The position is full-time; duties include counseling, case management, and coordination with community resources. Strong documentation and collaboration with medical staff are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of alcohol and other drug abuse treatment and counseling.
• Ability to develop treatment plans and provide rehab counseling in individual, group or family settings.
• Familiarity with client records, intake, progress notes and case summaries.

Responsibilities

• Performs alcohol and other drug abuse treatment involving children and adults.
• Evaluates clients to develop treatment plans.
• Develops service or recovery plans and serves as a primary counselor as needed.
• Participates in quality improvement with multidisciplinary team.
• Works with psychiatric staff for case reviews and medication issues.
• Maintains detailed client records and documentation.

Skills

Alcohol and drug treatment knowledge

Counseling skills

Interagency coordination

Documentation and recordkeeping

Client rights and confidentiality

Education

Two years of college in behavioral science or related field plus two years’ experience as Substance Abuse Specialist I

Certification with DHCS approved certifying organization

Job description

Recovery Specialist I/II in Crescent City, CA | GovernmentJobs.com page has loaded.

County of Del Norte, CA

Location

Crescent City, CA

Full Time

Job Number

26-00550

Health & Human Services

Division

Behavioral Health Branch 129-419

09/18/2026

Closing Date

10/2/2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana

This recruitment will establish a list of candidates to be used in filling the vacancy as well as an eligibility list that may be used for future vacancies or temporary help for up to one (1) year.

Description

Level I: $2,096.20 - $2,311.06

Level II: $2,202.33 - $2,428.07

*Current County employees may be eligible for a higher step placement per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The County of Del Norte Health and Human Services Department, Behavioral Health Branch, is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Recovery Specialist I/II. This position is classified as full-time.

Under supervision, performs a variety of routine to complex alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment services and other duties associated with the activities of the Drug and Alcohol Program. Employees in this classification receive direct to limited supervision within a framework of policy and procedures. Recovery Specialist I is the first working level in this skilled class and are assigned alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment work which may be complex and demanding with a high level of responsibility for client outcome. The entry level is assigned duties, which will increase their experience. With additional experience and/or education incumbents may be eligible for advancement in this series. Recovery Specialist II is the second working level in this skilled class and is assigned paraprofessional, complex treatment duties under minimal supervision. A complex level of interagency contact and client responsibility is required. Employees advanced to this level in the series have demonstrated the ability to adequately fulfill the responsibilities over an extended period of time increased through experience and education.

Detailed Work Activities

In addition to the above duties, the Recovery Specialist II:

• Performs alcohol and other drug abuse treatment involving children and adults that include rehabilitation counseling on an individual, group or family basis.
• Evaluates clients in a variety of settings including field situations for development of treatment plans.
• Obtains client history, develops service or recovery plans and serves as a primary counselor as needed.
• Participates as a member of the quality improvement multi-disciplinary team providing critical treatment input relating to client diagnosis and recommended service plans.
• Participates in case conference and consult with psychiatric staff to review client cases and medication issues.
• Evaluates clients for voluntary placement in residential treatment programs when twenty-four hour care is indicated.
• Prepares detailed client record documentation and maintains case records including intake and referral plans, progress notes, adolescent and adult assessments.
• Serves as staff to the perinatal treatment program or other divisional related services.
• Provides consultation to a wide variety of local agencies and resources including medical community, schools, social services agencies, jail, juvenile hall, etc., courtroom testimony may be necessary.
• Performs educational services to various community groups and/or individuals regarding the prevention of alcohol and other drug use and abuse in the community population.
• Performs related duties as assigned or required.

• Provides training and support for assigned staff.
• Participates in various peer review functions.
• Provides community wide training for other groups and the public in areas as parenting, alcohol and other drug abuse awareness, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

Level I:

• Registration or Certification with a Department of Health Care Services approved certifying organization.

Level II:

• A minimum of four (4) years’ experience as a Substance Abuse Specialist I or equivalent position is required.
• Possession of two years of college education in behavioral science, psychology or related field in addition to two (2) years’ experience as a Substance Abuse Specialist I or equivalent position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of alcohol and other drug abuse treatment that includes interviewing, assessment, individual, family and group rehabilitation counseling.
• Knowledge of community resources and agencies providing services for alcohol and other drug related problems.
• Knowledge of recordkeeping and documentation of client progress through the course of treatment.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations related to client rights and confidentiality.
• Ability to assess, evaluate and refer, including medical referrals, relative to client alcohol and drug abuse issues.
• Ability to present client history and behavioral impression to psychiatrists and other professionals for review.
• Ability to prepare and maintain detailed case summaries and documentation in accordance to local, state and federal regulations pertaining to treatment.
• Ability to protect clients rights and provide advocacy for clients.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other therapists, county staff, schools, referral agencies as well as professional mental health staff.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays and irregular hours.

In addition, requirements for the Recovery Specialist II include:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of comprehensive presentations and training.
• Knowledge of conducting education and presentation training.
• Knowledge of peer review of the most current literature pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and other drug abuse.
• Ability to conduct effective alcohol and other drug abuse education and awareness training.

Special Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s license. All County of Del Norte employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through State law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County of Del Norte requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Work related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Typical Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment and includes continuous contact with staff and the public. Work may involve stressful situations and include dealing with erratic and sometimes threatening behavior.

Typical Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk and drive. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, and to stoop, kneel or crouch. The ability to operate a keyboard/typewriter, copier, facsimile machine and like equipment is required.

Selection Process:

The County of Del Norte does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual preference, or disability in any of its programs, activities, or hiring practices. All applications will be reviewed and those individuals with backgrounds most closely meeting the needs of the county will be selected for further review. In the event of a large number of qualifying applicants, a written examination may be given to determine which applicants will be invited to attend an oral interview. An eligibility list will be established upon completion of the oral interviews. Expenses (i.e. travel, food, lodging) incurred in connection with the interview shall be the burden of the applicant. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Office prior to the interview/examination so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Condition of Employment:

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, Del Norte County is required to verify, within three days of employment of any person, that he/she is: 1) a citizen or national of the United States; 2) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or authorized by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to work in the United States.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Del Norte employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through State law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County of Del Norte requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Work related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Del Norte County is an equal opportunity employer hiring employment eligible applicants. Disabled applicants who require special testing arrangements should contact the Human Resources Department prior to the filing deadline. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, applicants must provide acceptable proof of identity or authorization to work in the United States. A thorough background investigation will be conducted prior to employment. The investigation may include reference checks, fingerprinting, credit check, driver history and inquiry to local, state and federal files to obtain criminal history information. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the selection process. Selection processes may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: application review, competitive screening, written examination, performance examination, and/or oral examination. This bulletin is solely for the purpose of announcing a job opening. It does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revised without notice.

Employer County of Del Norte, CA

Address 981 H Street
Suite 250
Crescent City, California, 95531