SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR / EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT HOMELESSNESS

County of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health seeks qualified Emergency Substance Abuse Counselors to help address homelessness by providing screening, assessment, counseling, case management and recovery services.

Under an emergency order, initial appointments may be up to 90 days with potential for permanent County employment, with evaluations based on performance. The role requires adapting to urgent public health needs and working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Option I: One year of experience in a substance abuse program with experience providing physical assessment of patients, counseling of individuals, families and groups, and documentation.
• Option II: One year of training at the level of Substance Abuse Counselor Aid in a substance abuse counselor training program.
• Option III: Completion of 60 semester units or equivalent in specialization as listed.

Responsibilities

• Interviews clients/families to obtain histories (substance use, health, social, etc.).
• Provides screening, assessment, intake, counseling, education, recovery support, and case management with documentation.
• Participates with treatment team in developing, implementing, evaluating treatment approaches for patients and families.
• Counsels patients to reduce or cope with substance use and develop coping behaviors.
• Assists linkage to community resources such as health benefits, housing, employment, and legal services.
• Monitors and documents client progress in recovery.

Education

60 semester units or equivalent in specialization in substance abuse counseling, social work, psychology, sociology, or human services

Job description

Filing Date

Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 8:30 a.m., Pacific Time (PT)

This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

Exam Number: PH5884C-EA

Position Summary

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you. The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Substance Abuse Counselor vacancies related to the homelessness crisis. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

Before the end of your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%. Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Substance Abuse Counselor.

Classification Standards Positions allocable to this journey‑level class typically receive general supervision from a higher‑level supervisor such as a senior‑level substance use disorder or mental health counselor, clinician, psychiatrist, or psychologist and participate in interdisciplinary programs. Incumbents provide a variety of substance use disorder and/or mental health prevention, brief intervention, treatment and recovery services, such as patient/client screenings/assessments, development of recovery and treatment plans, case management, and individual and group counseling/education. Positions allocated to this level are distinguished from the Substance Abuse Counselor Aid by their responsibility for more complex cases. Incumbents must have demonstrated knowledge of basic counseling and substance use service principles, practices and techniques. Incumbents are typically assigned to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, prevention and treatment programs, assessment and referral centers, and/or detention/correctional facilities.

Essential Job Functions

• Conducts interviews of clients/patients and/or their family members to obtain family, social, medical, work, and substance use, physical health, and mental health histories.
• Conducts services such as screening, assessment, intake, counseling, education, recovery support, case management, and maintains documentation for delivered services.
• Participates with the treatment team in developing, implementing, and evaluating treatment or therapy approaches for patients/clients, family members, and significant others in all phases of comprehensive substance use disorder and/or mental health treatment programs.
• Counsels patients/clients to reduce or cope with their substance use by assisting them in recognizing causal factors of substance use and/or mental health disorder and in developing appropriate coping behaviors.
• Counsels patients/clients regarding community resources or treatment services available to help reduce or cope with substance use.
• Assists patients/clients with linkage to appropriate community resources such as health benefits, housing, employment and legal services, as well as other substance use, mental health, and/or physical health services to help reduce or cope with substance use and address other needs critical to recovery.
• Assists senior‑level counselors in complex areas of social and psychological adjustment counseling.
• Maintains a close system of follow‑up for previously discharged persons by means of personal visits, telephone calls, and other means of communication; completes records on follow‑up activities.
• Participates in educational activities in formal academic settings and in treatment or rehabilitation centers to improve knowledge of substance use disorder and mental health related areas.
• Develops and promotes interest in the substance use disorder and/or mental health fields by speaking before community groups or coordinating speakers or resource persons.
• Monitors and documents client/patient progress in substance use disorder /mental health recovery.
• Assists in the supervision of aids or trainees and in the recruitment, selection, and training of such program staff members as needed.
• Assists with on‑call duties as needed.

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Option I: One (1) year of experience in a substance abuse program with experience providing physical assessment of patients, counseling of individuals, families and groups, and documentation.

Option II: One (1) year of training at the level of Substance Abuse Counselor Aid* in a substance abuse counselor training program.

Option III: Completion of 60 semester units or equivalent quarter units in an accredited college or university** with specialization in substance abuse counseling, social work, psychology, sociology, or human services.

License

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job‑related essential functions.

Physical Class

Physical Class II – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Special Requirement Information

• Experience at the level of the Los Angeles County class of Substance Abuse Counselor Aid is defined as one who participates as a trainee in a substance abuse or mental health services program designed for the prevention of substance abuse and the treatment of rehabilitation patients and mental health clients with substance abuse problems.
• In order to qualify, you must include a legible copy of the Official Transcript(s) from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization and the date the degree was awarded if applicable, with Registrar's signature and/or school seal with your application online at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from application submission to [e-mail].
• Official Transcript is defined as a transcript that bears the college seal and states "official and/or copy" issued by the school's Registrar Office. A printout of the transcript from the school's website is NOT considered official and, therefore, will NOT be accepted and may result in your application being incomplete and be rejected.
• Foreign degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to United States accredited institutions standards by an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). (see Employment Information under Accreditation Information)

NOTE: If you are unable to attach the required documents with your application online, you must e‑mail them to [e-mail] within seven (7) calendar days from application submission. In the "Subject" of the e‑mail please type the Exam Number and Exam Title.

We do not accept password‑protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

Desirable Qualifications

• California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE)
• California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP)
• California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)

Fair Chance Employer

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

Anti‑racism, Diversity, And Inclusion (ARDI)

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti‑racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the in equalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Equal Employment Opportunity / Non‑Discrimination Statement

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non‑discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/

Testing Accommodations for Applicants

The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/

Employment Eligibility

Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Veteran’s Credit

Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions. For more information on veteran’s credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf

Contact Information

Exam Analyst
Department Contact Phone: [phone]
Department Contact E‑mail: [e-mail]
Exam Number: PH5884C-EA
California Relay Services Phone: [phone]
ADA Coordinator Phone: [phone]
Teletype Phone: [phone]
Alternate Teletype Phone: [phone]

Revision

Revised September 2025