Substance Use Specialist

Union-Station-Homeless-Services; Altadena (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Union Station Homeless Services is seeking a Substance Use Specialist to conduct outreach and housing navigation for chronically homeless individuals in Altadena. You will provide substance use counseling within your scope and work as part of an interdisciplinary team to connect clients with treatment and housing resources.

The role requires assessment, triage of referrals, documentation in HMIS, and coordination with partners to secure permanent supportive housing opportunities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of emergency, transitional and permanent housing resources in LA County.
• Familiarity with HUD guidelines and subsidized housing programs.
• Ability to communicate clearly, in writing and verbally.
• Proficiency with HMIS data entry and standard data practices.
• Proficient in Windows and MS Office software.
• Valid California driver’s license and access to a registered vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach and housing navigation for chronically homeless individuals.
• Provide substance abuse counseling within scope of practice.
• Collaborate in an interdisciplinary team to coordinate services.
• Assess clients, triage referrals, and connect to treatment programs.
• Assist with collecting documents for permanent supportive housing applications.
• Attend case conferences and coordinate with partners.
• Link clients to mental health, health, legal, employment services as needed.
• Document services and enter data into HMIS system.
• Provide transportation assistance to stabilize housing crises.
• Identify interventions to address homelessness and housing opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Housing resources knowledge

HUD guidelines knowledge

Substance use counseling

Effective communication

HMIS entry and data transcription

Computer literacy (Windows, Office)

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services

Counseling experience (1 year)

Case management experience (1 year)

CADAC or similar certification

Tools

HMIS

Microsoft Windows

Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)

Gmail

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Substance Use Specialist

Regular Full-Time Altadena, CA, US

JOB SUMMARY:

The Substance Abuse Specialist conducts outreach and housing navigation activities with a focus on chronically homeless and highly vulnerable individuals. The Substance Use Specialist is a member of an interdisciplinary team that will provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Substance Abuse Specialist will provide substance abuse counseling services and interventions within their scope of practice.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE , but are not limited to the following:

• Participate in a rotation with other specialty roles to ensure support to all outreach teams and individuals being served.
• Use evidence based practices to assess, provide interventions, and establish linkages to substance use disorder treatment programs and other services/programs as needed.
• Conducts outreach activities to engage chronically homeless individuals toward pursuing permanent housing options.
• Receives, assesses and triages referrals from walk-ins and other collaborative partners.
• Conducts standardized screening and triages chronically homeless individuals.
• Support clients and staff in navigation and linkage to substance use disorder treatment programs. Assists individuals with collecting documents necessary for applying for permanent supportive housing.
• Attends case conferencing meetings to coordinate services with other providers. Provides substance abuse counseling and linkage to related resources if indicated, using a harm reduction philosophy as basis for interventions
• Connects individuals to other supportive services as needed such as mental health, health, substance abuse, legal, employment, etc.
• Document services and complete data entry into HMIS database.
• Provide linkage to mainstream resources, such as DPSS or Social Security Disability.
• Provide transportation assistance for the purposes of stabilizing the current housing crisis.
• Conduct follow-up activities to ensure completion of the crisis housing plan.
• Identify appropriate interventions to address and resolve the homeless status of program participants.
• Assists individuals with accessing permanent housing opportunities including permanent supportive housing, move-in assistance, shared housing, affordable housing, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work indoors in temperature controlled environment and occasionally exposed to outdoor weather and driving conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Stand and sit for long periods of time; move and walk to various locations; climb stairs, stoop, kneel, reach, pull, push, bend, twist, and occasionally lift and or move objects. Use hands to finger, handle or feel.
• See, hear and speak clearly in order to give and receive information and instructions.
• Ability to interact with other employees, clients, customers and members of the public.
• Ability to work effectively under time constraints, prioritize work, multi-task, and adapt to changing work demands.
• Gather, analyze, synthesize, and classify information. Transcribe, enter, and post data.
• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Requires use of a computer keyboard.
• Travel to off-site meetings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of emergency housing, transitional and permanent housing resources throughout Los Angeles County.
• Knowledge of housing issues in San Gabriel Valley preferred.
• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and experience working with subsidized housing programs such as Section 8, Shelter Plus Care and others.
• Current knowledge of social work practices and principles related to best practice standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Proficient in use of laptop computer and Microsoft Windows and Office software programs (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, G-Mail).
• Ability to accurately enter client data and notes in HMIS Homeless Management Information System.
• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, computer printer and scanner).
• Possess valid California driver's license and have access to properly registered vehicle.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications

• Option I: Bachelor’s Degree in human services or similar field (i.e. psychology, sociology, social work)
• Option II:1-year full-time experience involving counseling or substance abuse counseling.
• Option III: 1 year of experience with case management service to individuals with substance abuse disorders.
• Professional substance abuse counseling certification, i.e. CADAC preferred.

Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer