Senior Substance Use Navigator

Roots Community Health; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization in Oakland seeks a Senior Substance Use Navigator to engage with individuals facing substance use challenges. This role involves outreach, assessments, and the facilitation of care. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree, California Driver License, and at least 3 years of relevant experience. Candidates with experience in non-profit settings and proficiency in Spanish are highly encouraged to apply. The position requires effective teamwork, strong problem-solving skills, and cultural competence.

Qualifications

• Valid California Driver License with safe driving record.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years of recent experience in AOD in health care.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive barrier assessments.
• Drive daily for outreach to unhoused populations.
• Conduct substance use screenings and assessments.

Skills

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Cultural competence

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Valid California Driver License

Tools

Microsoft Office

G Suite

Job description

Description

Job Duties:

• Perform comprehensive barrier assessment to address barriers such as: psychosocial health, criminal history, physical health, probation/parole status, mental health, job‑readiness/competency, substance use, DMV issues, family/support system, child support orders, custody matters, housing, tax issues, access to food, clothing and hygiene items, civil restitution orders, and access to healthcare services.
• Drive a Roots vehicle daily for outreach to unhoused populations with Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) use in Alameda County, primarily East Oakland.
• Work in partnership at all times on outreach with a SSUN or Roots STOMP staff.
• Engage with individuals experiencing substance use challenges across healthcare, emergency, and community‑based settings.
• Conduct substance use screenings and assessments to identify needs and determine appropriate treatment and referral pathways.
• Provide individualized education and advocacy regarding harm reduction strategies, treatment options, and recovery resources.
• Build collaborative relationships with treatment facilities, healthcare providers, social service organizations, and law enforcement.
• Coordinate care by facilitating access to detoxification services, medication‑assisted treatment (MAT), inpatient and outpatient programs, and peer‑based recovery supports.
• Conduct post‑referral follow‑ups to support engagement and treatment retention. Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to program evaluation and data collection efforts in accordance with privacy and confidentiality guidelines.
• Provide face‑to‑face visits and make outreach calls to the participant based on their needs.
• Assist participants in enrolling in public benefit programs (Medi‑Cal, CalFresh, CalWorks, etc.), medical and social services.
• Provide health coaching (medication adherence, etc).
• Assist in picking up patient medications at local pharmacies and deliver directly to patients.
• Support medical providers and clinical staff as needed during Welcome Wednesday clinic operations.
• Help keep the work site clean and safe at all times.
• Complete all required documentation and reports in a timely fashion and in the manner required by program contracts.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, agency meetings and staff training.

Competencies:

• Ability to work effectively within stressful, sometimes hazardous environments with rapidly changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and maintain a healthy presence within a close‑knit group.
• Ability to proactively identify team dynamics concerns and take appropriate action.
• Ability to exercise mature judgment and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Ability to recognize and manage personal triggers, self‑regulate emotionally, and perform effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrates strong problem‑solving and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional and personal boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates organizational skills, including attention to detail, task prioritization, time management, and multi‑tasking.
• Demonstrates clear, effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build rapport and foster trusting relationships so participants feel comfortable and safe.
• Comfortable working with and entering data accurately.
• Demonstrates a continuous learning mindset and openness to constructive feedback and self‑improvement.

Requirements

Minimum Required Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Valid California Driver License with safe driving record and understanding this role requires daily driving with a team member.
• Active certification through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) or the California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE) is required. Acceptable certifications include: RADT, CADC-CAS, CADC-I, CADC-II, or CADC-III, CATC I, CATC II, CATC III. Alternatively show completion of CA Bridge Substance Use Navigation Training 101 and achievement of the CA Bridge CHW Certification.
• Maintain current certification, in good standing, with CCAPP, CAADE or CA Bridge to maintain employment with Roots Community Health.
• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent work experience or training.
• 3+ years of recent experience in AOD in a health care facility or residential treatment facility as a Senior Substance Use Navigator.
• Experience with evidence‑based substance use disorder treatment models and an understanding of treatment modalities.
• Comfort level working with communities of African descent, low‑income, unhoused, formerly incarcerated and individuals with behavioral health challenges.
• Proficiency with computer programs and operating standard office equipment (Microsoft Office, G Suite, telephones, e‑fax, copy machines, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with electronic medical records is preferred.
• Proficiency in Spanish, as well as English, is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of community resources and services is preferred.
• Personal or family history of systems involvement (jail/prison, foster system, mental health system, etc.) is preferred.
• 2 years of experience working in non‑profit organizations or community clinics is preferred.