SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELOR

State of Arizona; Buckeye (AZ); On-site; USD 67,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick days

Paid parental leave

Robust insurance plan

Retirement program

Transit subsidy

Paid conferences/workshops

Job summary

Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) is seeking a Substance Use Counselor Senior at ASPC Lewis in Buckeye, AZ. The role focuses on counseling, treatment planning, and community coordination to support offender rehabilitation.

Requires licensure in AZ and clinical experience; includes comprehensive benefits and a $5,000 hiring incentive. Join a mission-driven team dedicated to reducing recidivism.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of addiction and treatment practices.
• Counseling techniques and adult learning processes.
• Understanding of ADCRR policies and correctional security practices.
• Proficiency with patient data and clinical records.

Responsibilities

• Leads substance use education classes and therapy groups for inmates.
• Conducts individual assessments and counseling sessions.
• Maintains clinical records and participates in staffings.
• Develops individualized treatment plans and coordinates pre-release planning.
• Collaborates with community providers and security staff.

Education

Master’s Degree in psychology or related field

Two years counseling experience

Tools

MS Office

Google Suite

Job description

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

REHABILITATION & REENTRY

Our mission is to enhance public safety across Arizona through modern, effective correctional practices and meaningful engagements. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) is committed to creating a safe, secure, and humane correctional system. With public safety top of mind, ADCRR and its more than 8,000 officers and professional staff are driven by a heart for public service and a commitment to deliver perfect effort each day. ADCRR is redefining itself as an agency whose daily work centers on transparency, accountability, and fairness.

SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELOR

(CORRECTIONAL SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELOR SENIOR)

Job Location:

Education Programs and Community Reentry
Arizona State Prison Complex (ASPC) – Lewis
26700 South Highway 85
Buckeye, Arizona 85326
https://corrections.az.gov/

Posting Details:

Salary: Independent/Professional License - $70,800.00*
Associate License - $67,200.00*

*Eligible for a $5,000 Hiring Incentive, effective for new hires as continued approved funding remains. The payout is $2,500 upfront, with the remaining $2,500 due after three (3) months of employment.

Grade: 20

Open Until Filled

Job Summary:

Help substance-challenged individuals become community leaders. Gain real clinical experience. Join our team of professionals passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of offenders and justice-challenged individuals. Don’t wait, The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) is seeking a Substance Use in meetings, develop treatment plans, coordinate pre-release planning, and interact with community providers and security staff.

Job Duties:

• Conducts substance use education classes and therapy groups with inmate/offender participants
• Conducts one-on-one clinical assessments and counseling sessions
• Maintains clinical records
• Participates in clinical staffings and meetings
• Develops individual substance abuse treatment plans with inmate/offender program participants
• Coordinates transitional pre-release planning with case managers and maintains accurate statistical data
• Interacts with community resource providers and security staff
• Travels/Drives on state business
• Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Addiction and treatment practices and protocol
• Counseling techniques
• Adult learning processes
• ADCRR policies and procedures
• Correctional security practices
• Computers and various software programs, including Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Professional English, grammar, and spelling

Skill in:

• Verbal and written communications
• Establishing, developing, and maintaining interpersonal relationships
• Organization and time management
• Active listening
• Counseling and interviewing
• Collecting and maintaining accurate data, documents, and clinical records

Ability to:

• Effectively deliver program curriculum in a classroom environment
• Interact professionally with inmates/offenders in a group and one-on-one settings
• Interact professionally with security staff and the public
• Work in a secure correctional/prison environment
• Collect and maintain statistical dataWork independently with minimal supervision

Selective Preference(s):

• Master’s Degree from an accredited school with a major in psychology, counseling, or a related field
• Independent Licensure
• Two (2) years of counseling experience

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Must be licensed in the State of Arizona as a Licensed Independent Addiction Counselor (LIAC), Licensed Associate Addiction Counselor (LAAC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or as a Psychologist.

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation and a drug test consistent with Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

• Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability options
• Exceptional retirement program
• Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
• An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program
• Paid conferences and workshops when possible
• Evidence-based group curriculum
• Minimal paperwork and no billing
• Ability to be creative in using evidence-based practices
• Ability to be part of program development opportunities
• Ability to help ADCRR achieve its goal of reducing recidivism
• Ability to receive clinical supervision for independent licensure
• Currently, Arizona State Prison Complex locations (not Reentry Center) are approved sites for the National Health Service Corps Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program (up to $75,000 in repayment for 3 years of employment). This repayment program is not guaranteed by ADCRR. ADCRR does not operate or determine a candidate’s eligibility for this repayment program. It is strongly recommended to visit the following link prior to applying for this position for further information: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-sud-workforce-loan-repayment-program.html

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Current ADCRR Employees: Consult with your respective Human Resources Liaison if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.