Substance Abuse Counselor I

County of Mendocino; Ukiah (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Mendocino is seeking a Substance Abuse Counselor to support adult and adolescent programs across the county. Under immediate supervision, you will provide screening, assessment, and development of treatment plans; facilitate individual and group counseling sessions; and maintain required records.

This field-based role involves working with the SUDT units in Fort Bragg, Willits, and Ukiah, coordinating with Behavioral Health staff, and ensuring compliance with treatment regulations.

Qualifications

• Provide counseling and support to clients with substance use disorders.
• Screening, assessment, and development of treatment plans; individual and group counseling; maintain required records.
• Within five (5) years of registration, must obtain California ADP certifying organization certification.
• Valid Driver’s License; Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate desirable.

Responsibilities

• Counsel clients one-on-one or through group counseling sessions to identify problems and reach treatment goals.
• Assist in case management; schedule appointments; screen and orient clients; respond to crisis calls; provide therapeutic activities.
• Maintain and document treatment progress; write routine and non-routine reports and transfer summaries.
• Refer/enroll clients to related programs and assist with eligibility or financial applications.
• Transport clients to therapy sessions and related activities.

Skills

Counseling

Case management

Documentation

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

AOD Certification program enrollment

Job description

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium. The current vacancies are in Willits, Fort Bragg and Ukiah.

Under immediate supervision, in either an adult or adolescent program, provides support services to clients with substance use disorders. Assists in screening, assessment, and development of treatment plans; facilitates individual and group counseling sessions; and maintains required records.

SUDT – Fort Bragg -

This position provides additional support to the SUDT Unit in Fort Bragg, providing individual and group counseling, referral support, adult and adolescent services to individuals receiving substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.

SUDT – Willits -

This position provides additional support to the SUDT Unit in Willits, providing individual and group counseling, referral support, adult and adolescent services to individuals receiving substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.

BHSA – Behavioral Health Services Act – Ukiah -

This position provides services to the SUDT Adult Services Unit and the BHSA Unit, predominantly a field based position, conducting screening and level of care determinations, linkage and connection to treatment providing services aligned with regulatory mandates and program requirements. The counselor works collaboratively with behavioral health staff to support clients with substance use and behavioral health needs.

CORE – Ukiah -

The position serves as the Substance Abuse Counselor for the CORE 2.0 pilot program, a coordinated behavioral health and homeless stabilization model. The program provides field-based outreach and intensive support to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, or co-occurring conditions.

An ideal candidate is compassionate, culturally responsive, and client centered. Experienced working with individuals with substance uses and disorder. Strong communication skills, documentation, and collaboration. Committed to serving individuals who may face complex behavioral health, substance use, and housing challenges.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Counsel clients, one-on-one or through group counseling sessions, to identify problems, provide strategies for resolution and/ or intervention in order to assist clients in reaching treatment goals.
• Assists in case management; schedule appointments; screen and provide orientation to clients; respond to crisis calls; provide and/or facilitate therapeutic activities and group counseling sessions, programs, etc.
• Assists in conducting assessments; making referrals; developing treatment plans; providing ongoing supportive counseling; documenting activities and maintaining files.
• Maintain and provide safe environment for clients and staff.
• Write routine and non-routine reports, including treatment plans, progress notes, charts, closing and/or transfer summaries, using departmental software; sorting and summarizing pertinent material for inclusion in order to maintain records of client treatment progress.
• Attend team meetings to discuss client progress.
• Refer/enroll clients to related programs or services by identifying appropriate resources and assisting clients to accurately complete eligibility or financial applications.
• Administer client urinalysis testing by observing collection first-hand and accepting custody of specimen; deliver specimen to laboratory for analysis in order to protect the chain of custody and ensure accurate and valid test results.
• Enter and retrieve data into a computer system; use the computer system to create a variety of reports, progress notes, intake forms and other screening tools and documents.
• Transport clients by motor vehicle to and from therapeutic sessions and other treatment-related activities in order to facilitate the therapeutic process.
• Makes presentations to agencies regarding programs offered.
• Maintain and upgrade knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars, meetings and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications, including maintaining CEU’s for certification purposes.
• Provides substitute coverage when necessary.
• May serve as liaison with legal system, schools, organizations, parents, children, etc. on issues concerning clients.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED equivalent; current enrollment in State Approved alcohol and other drug (AOD) Certification program; and one (1) year of full-time experience in a substance abuse internship program or providing substance abuse counseling or other peer or group counseling;

Or,

A combination of related education, training, and full-time experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential function of the job.

Special Qualifications:

Within five (5) years of registration, MUST obtain Certification from a California ADP approved certifying organization pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Chapter 8: Certification of Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate from accredited college or university (highly desirable)

Incumbents must possess and maintain, or obtain and maintain, all licenses, certifications, registrations, and/or other requirements identified in the minimum qualifications, as applicable, and within the timeframes specified. These requirements are conditions of continued employment and minimum qualifications for the position. Failure to possess, obtain, or maintain any required license, certification, registration, or other requirement within the specified timeframe may result in rejection during the probationary period, or disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Knowledge of

• Basic principles and practices of substance abuse counseling and recovery.
• Basic human physiology, anatomy, biology and the interactions of controlled substances on these systems.
• Departmental policies and procedures.
• Individual, family and group dynamics.
• Community resources.
• Ethical and legal standards related to client rights and the handling of client information during a treatment regimen.
• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, codes, laws, rules and regulations and legislative issues, specifically 42 CFR, part 2.
• Methods and techniques of curriculum development and presentation.
• Record keeping and documentation standards.
• Computer applications and hardware used to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Chain of custody requirements for urinalysis testing.
• Basic intervention strategies appropriate to cultural, gender, age group of clients, such as motivational interviewing.
• Unique needs of clients based on age, gender, developmental and cultural differences.

Skill in:

• Managing client caseloads.
• Collaboratively discussing and resolving client case management issues.
• Observing and recording behavioral indicators, and recovery behavior.
• Developing and teaching classes on various topics.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Interacting effectively with people in stressful situations.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, clients and those encountered in the course of work.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, tailoring the message to the intended audience.
• Write clear and concise narrative reports, correspondence, and other materials.
• Analyze, evaluate and diagnose situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to speak and hear.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to use sound and odor perception and discrimination.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer