Sobering Center Recovery Specialist (AM Shift) (Full-Time) (Irvine, CA)

Phoenix House Orange County, Inc.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix House Orange County, Inc. in Irvine, CA is seeking a Sobering Center Recovery Specialist for the AM shift to provide direct, non-clinical support in a safe, trauma-informed setting for individuals using Sobering Center services.

You will document client observations at least every 15 minutes, assist with basic needs, and coordinate connections to treatment, housing, and community services as part of a multidisciplinary team to promote safety and recovery.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or its equivalent required.
• Must be registered or certified as an Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Counselor recognized by The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
• Six months prior experience in a related field preferred.
• Must maintain a valid credential during your employment.
• Must obtain TB test clearance and update on a yearly basis.

Responsibilities

• Welcome clients and provide orientation to the Sobering Center in a respectful and professional manner.
• Establish positive, supportive relationships with clients while maintaining boundaries.
• Provide non-clinical emotional and practical support to clients during their stay.
• Support clients in identifying appropriate next steps following their Sobering Center stay.
• Conduct and document client observations at least every 15 minutes and as required by protocol.
• Observe and document client presentation, responsiveness, behavior, location, and changes in condition during each observation.
• Ensure observations are recorded in the designated documentation system accurately.

Skills

MS Office

Electronic health record

Communication

Time management

Boundary setting

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

DHCS Alcohol and Drug Counselor registration

Tools

Electronic Health Record system

Job description

Sobering Center Recovery Specialist (AM Shift) (Full-Time) (Irvine, CA)

Job Category: Residential

Requisition Number: SOBER001507

• Posted : October 8, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site
• Rate : $25 USD per hour

Locations

Showing 1 location

Irvine, CA 92618, USA

Description

Schedule:

Tuesday-Saturday; 7:00am-3:30pm

Sunday-Thursday; 7:00am-3:30pm

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Facility Manager, the Sobering Center Recovery Specialist is responsible for providing direct, non-clinical support to individuals accessing Phoenix House Sobering Center services. The position promotes a safe, respectful, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented environment for individuals experiencing the effects of alcohol and/or other substance use.

The Sobering Center Recovery Specialist engages clients in a nonjudgmental manner, assists with basic needs, supports client safety and comfort, provides recovery-oriented education and information, and facilitates connections to substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health services, medical care, housing, and other community resources. The position works as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborates with clinical/medical personnel, recovery staff, case managers, outreach teams, emergency personnel, law enforcement, community-based organizations, and other service providers to facilitate appropriate referrals and warm handoffs.

The position is responsible for recognizing changes in a client's condition and promptly communicating concerns to the appropriate supervisor or qualified clinical/medical personnel. The Recovery Support Specialist is also responsible for completing and documenting client observations at least every 15 minutes, or more frequently when required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Welcome clients and provide orientation to the Sobering Center in a respectful and professional manner.
• Establish positive, supportive relationships with clients while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Provide non-clinical emotional and practical support to clients during their stay.
• Support clients in identifying appropriate next steps following their Sobering Center stay.
• Conduct and document client observations at least every 15 minutes, or more frequently when required based on the client's condition, program protocol, or direction from qualified clinical/medical personnel.
• Observe and document the client's general presentation, level of responsiveness, behavior, location, and any notable changes in condition during each required observation.
• Ensure observations are completed within the required timeframe and accurately recorded in the designated documentation system.
• Immediately communicate significant changes in a client's physical, emotional, behavioral, or level of consciousness to the appropriate supervisor, nurse, medical provider, or other qualified personnel.
• Follow established procedures for identifying and responding to medical and behavioral emergencies.
• Assist clients with access to showers, laundry, and other program amenities when available.
• Assist with transportation or other discharge arrangements consistent with program policy.
• Utilize approved de-escalation techniques to respond to challenging behaviors.
• Complete required incident documentation following significant behavioral or safety events.
• Ensure documentation complies with Phoenix House policies and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Attends all required staff training sessions in accordance with Phoenix House and state licensing requirements and completes all training on time.
• Attends and participates in program and all staff meetings.
• Adheres to and promotes the Phoenix House Mission, Vision, and Values while acting as a role model for others.
• Assumes lead duties for shift(s) as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent in this position has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CREDENTIALS

• High school diploma or its equivalent required
• Must be registered or certified as an Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Counselor recognized by The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
• Six months prior experience in a related field preferred
• Must maintain a valid credential during your employment.
• Must obtain TB test clearance and update on a yearly basis.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

To perform this position successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Demonstrated commitment and adherence to Phoenix House Mission, Vision, and Values: I CARE For- Integrity, Collaboration Appreciation, Respect, Excellence, and Forward-Thinking.
• Proficiency in MS Office systems.
• Ability to utilize an electronic healthcare record.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced changing environment.
• Ability to establish and consistently enforce appropriate boundaries with patients.
• Ability to model positive behavior and demeanor.
• Understanding of addiction, co-occurring models, and treatment modalities.
• Understanding of patient development and family systems.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to be flexible, problem solver, self-directed, customer service-oriented, and collaborative.
• Skills and ability to engage and develop a rapport with patients and families of various backgrounds.

Mental Demands

Ability to actively engage with clients in a substance abuse and mental health treatment environment Stress tolerance; working in rural and/or urban environments, participating in client treatment outcomes. Memory and learning; ability to maintain in a constantly changing environment. Emotional intelligence; includes crisis intervention. Work environment: travel may be required (varies by location), in-office work.

Physical Demands

Ability to lift and move object as much as 25 pounds with or without assistance, can require extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, or being on your feet especially in the clinical and residential settings. May need to participate in outdoor or recreational activities with clients. Occasional repetitive tasks. Ability to conduct First Aid and CPR in the event of an emergency. Required to undergo regular health screenings such as but not limited to TB test, Covid testing, vaccinations, etc.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.