Substance Abuse Counselor II

County Of Mendocino; California (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

County Of Mendocino seeks qualified Substance Abuse Counselors to provide assessments, counseling, and case management for adults and youth across multiple units. Positions involve field-based work, coordination with behavioral health staff, and ensuring documentation meets program standards.

Ideal candidates demonstrate compassion, cultural responsiveness, and strong collaboration with agencies. Bilingual English/Spanish is encouraged to apply and certification is required by California

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Associate’s degree or higher with a major in AOD Treatment, social/human services, sociology, or related field; AOD Certificate required.
• AOD Certificate from State Approved Certification program.
• Two (2) years of experience in substance abuse internship or counseling.
• State Approved AOD Certification must be obtained.

Responsibilities

• Counsel clients individually or in groups to identify problems and develop treatment goals.
• Provide case management, schedule appointments, screen and orient clients, and respond to crisis calls.
• Develop treatment plans, provide counseling, and maintain client records.
• Liaise with legal systems, schools, organizations, parents, and others on client issues.
• Attend team meetings and refer/enroll clients to related programs.
• Administer urinalysis testing and manage specimen custody.
• Transport clients to sessions and related activities.
• Provide training or mentoring to interns when needed.

Skills

Counseling

Case management

Documentation

Collaboration

Education

Associate’s degree in AOD/behavioral science

AOD Certificate

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 general supervision, in either an adult or adolescent program, provides assessments, treatment planning, professional counseling and case management services for clients with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Coordinate care with other agencies and ensure documentation and reporting comply withing program standards.

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.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply.

Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español.

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.
• Provide 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.
• Conduct assessments; make referrals; develop treatment plans; provide ongoing supportive counseling; document activities and maintain files; Serve as liaison with legal system, schools, organizations, parents, children, etc. on issues concerning clients.
• 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 continued education units (CEU’s) for certification purposes.
• Provides substitute coverage when necessary.
• May provide training and mentoring to interns.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Pattern 1:

Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited four-year (4) college or university with a major in Alcohol and other Drug (AOD)Treatment, social/human services, sociology, or other social or behavioral science and an AOD Certificate from a State Approved Certification program.

Pattern 2:

AOD Certificate of Achievement from an accredited college or university and certified with a State approved AOD Certification program; and two (2) year experience in a substance abuse internship program or providing substance abuse counseling

Substitution:

Two (2) years of full-time experience performing professional level AOD counseling in a treatment facility may be substituted for the education requirement.

Special Qualifications:

Applicant must be certified with a State Approved AOD Certification 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