Addictions Specialist/Chemical Dependency Counselor

Volunteers of America Colorado•Lakewood, CO

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in-need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, Volunteers of America changes the lives of more than 140,000 vulnerable Coloradans each year. VOA services include housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and many other community support programs. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve. VOA integrates compassion with highly effective programs that build and strengthen communities. The Addictions Specialist / Chemical Dependency Counselor (CAC) provides assessment, counseling, case management, and referral services to individuals experiencing substance use disorders within the Navigation Center. The role uses a trauma-informed, strength-based, recovery-oriented approach, meeting participants where they are in their stage of change. The position supports participants who may be ambivalent or not ready to stop using substances by emphasizing safety, engagement, motivation, recovery planning, and connection to appropriate care. The Addictions Specialist serves as a resource to participants, staff, and community partners by maintaining strong knowledge of local behavioral health and substance use treatment systems, including outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment providers, detoxification resources, inpatient or residential programs, recovery supports, housing, medical services, benefits, and related community resources.

Requirements

Active and fully licensed Chemical Addiction Counselor (CAC) or equivalent State of Colorado credential; Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) preferred where applicable.
Minimum two years of case management experience, preferably in behavioral health, substance use treatment, homeless services, housing, shelter, or closely related human services settings.
Strong clinical understanding of substance use disorders, treatment modalities, diagnostic criteria, stages of change, harm-reduction principles, and motivational engagement strategies.
Demonstrated experience working with individuals across all stages of change, including those who may be resistant, ambivalent, or not ready for abstinence-based treatment.
Must possess a Colorado driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance if driving is required for the position.
Must complete agency and program credentialing, background checks, and required training within established timelines and maintain credentialing standards thereafter.
Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and interdisciplinary communication skills.
Ability to respectfully and professionally serve individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ideologies, religions, identities, and lived experiences.
Ability to work and thrive within a diverse, multicultural, fast-paced, and collaborative team environment.
Ability to take initiative, work independently, prioritize competing needs, and follow through on time-sensitive participant and program needs.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries while building rapport and trust with participants.
Ability to apply appropriate self-care in the face of difficult, stressful, or traumatic situations that commonly arise while serving persons in need.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, electronic documentation systems, and other platforms required by the program.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, crisis awareness, ethical decision-making, and discretion in sensitive situations.
Ability to remain calm, professional, and participant-centered during crisis situations, conflict, substance use-related incidents, behavioral escalation, or emergency response.
Ability to manage competing priorities, frequent interruptions, emotionally charged interactions, and time-sensitive documentation requirements.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, emotional regulation, cultural humility, and resilience while working with highly vulnerable participants.
Ability to think critically, calculate or review information as required, recall relevant procedures, and communicate clearly under pressure.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing trauma-informed services to individuals experiencing homelessness, co-occurring behavioral health needs, high vulnerability, or crisis situations.
Strong knowledge of local outpatient, MAT, detoxification, inpatient/residential treatment, recovery, housing, benefits, and community support resources.
Experience facilitating groups, psychoeducation, relapse prevention, coping skills, or wellness-focused programming.
Experience working in shelter, navigation center, residential, outreach, drop-in, healthcare, behavioral health, or similar service environments.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive substance use screenings and assessments, including evaluation of stages of change, readiness for treatment, and co-occurring behavioral health concerns.
Use clinical knowledge to support treatment recommendations for substance use disorders and related participant needs.
Develop individualized, strength-based service plans in collaboration with participants.
Monitor participant progress toward identified goals and adjust service planning as needs change.
Provide individual and/or group counseling using evidence-informed approaches such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy principles, and harm reduction.
Effectively engage participants who may be resistant, ambivalent, or not ready for abstinence-based treatment.
Support participants in exploring behavior change while respecting autonomy, self-determination, and dignity.
Promote recovery, stabilization, coping skills, relapse prevention, wellness, and connection to supportive services.
Apply a trauma-informed lens to all services, recognizing the relationship between trauma, homelessness, mental health needs, and substance use.
Create a safe, nonjudgmental environment that promotes trust, empowerment, accountability, and healing.
Support staff and participants during substance use-related crises, overdose response, behavioral escalation, and other urgent incidents as appropriate to role and training.
Educate participants and staff regarding safer practices, overdose prevention; Narcan use coordination where applicable, and safer service engagement.
Maintain a robust understanding of local behavioral health and substance use treatment systems, including outpatient services, MAT providers, detoxification, inpatient/residential programs, peer recovery supports, and community resources.
Facilitate referrals, linkages, and warm handoffs to appropriate levels of care based on participant needs and preferences.
Collaborate with community partners to support continuity of care and reduce barriers to treatment engagement.
Assist participants in accessing housing, medical services, benefits, transportation, documentation, treatment, and other social supports as needed.
Provide ongoing case management services, including care coordination, resource navigation, follow-up, and participant advocacy.
Maintain accurate and timely clinical and service documentation in accordance with regulatory, contractual, ethical, and organizational standards.
Maintain participant confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 where applicable, and VOA Colorado policies and procedures.
Collect and report participant service data, outcomes, and other information as required by supervisor, program, agency, and funding source guidelines.
Participate in staff meetings, case conferencing, supervision, training, and quality improvement activities.
Perform job responsibilities in accordance with applicable ethical standards and agency expectations.
Perform all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Vacation Time/Separate Sick Time
Paid Holidays/Floating Holidays/Personal Days
Volunteer/Wellness Day
Health, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurance
Tuition Assistance
Pension Plan
403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match
Life Insurance/Accident Insurance/Short Employee Assistance/Work-Life Balance Program/Employee Discount Program
LifeLock with Norton
Public Service Loan Forgiveness