Lead Employee Assistance Counselor - 90293513 - Los Angeles

Amtrak•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$94,300 - $122,256•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Employee Assistance Counselor is responsible for managing, designing and delivering behavioral health services and interventions for individuals and workplace groups that enhance the overall wellbeing of employees. This includes providing professional, confidential, and timely provision of behavioral health services to employees and their dependents for emotional and behavioral problems as well as substance abuse/alcohol abuse that could affect their safety and productivity. This includes the assessment, referral and case management for employees regarding mental health and substance abuse/alcohol abuse concerns. This is a highly visible, field-facing role. Success requires more than strong clinical expertise, it requires someone who is present, responsive, and actively engaged with employees and leadership. The right candidate is approachable, flexible, and committed to being where the work is, whether that is onsite, responding to an urgent need or request, or supporting a team during a critical moment. This is not a desk-based role. It requires visibility, engagement, and a genuine commitment to supporting employees in real time. We are seeking a professional who is not only experienced but works in a way that aligns with the needs of a safety-sensitive, operational environment. This includes being team-oriented, humble and coachable, highly responsive, field-engaged, flexible and adaptable, approachable, relationship-driven and accountable. While this is a lead role, success depends on collaboration, alignment, and shared responsibility across the EAP team.

Requirements

6 years of relevant experience in employee assistance programs, addiction, social work, or related counseling field.
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience.
Requires licensure at the highest level available in the state, or eligible to do so within 90 days.
Substance Abuse Professional certification (eligible).
Advanced knowledge of substance abuse treatment best practices, brief therapy and solution-focused treatment methods.
Advanced knowledge of critical incidents standards and protocols and clinical recommendations.
In-depth understanding of applicable federal regulations (e.g., DOT/FRA), confidentiality standards, and organizational policies.
Excellent oral and verbal communication skills.
Skilled in delivering training, facilitating discussions, and communicating complex behavioral health topics to diverse audiences.
Strong ability to advise and influence leaders and stakeholders on sensitive, complex issues requiring discretion and sound judgment.
Knowledge of behavioral health and drug and alcohol counseling standards and protocols.
Demonstrated skill in PC based spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Word and Power Point).

Nice To Haves

8+ years of relevant work experience.
Master's degree in Social Work or Psychology.
Certified Employee Assistance Professional, (CEAP).
Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).

Responsibilities

Manages the daily operations of the Employee Assistance Program in assigned region to include clinical and consultative work with employees and managers, development of strategies to encourage program utilization by employees in assigned area, oversight of divisional trends affecting employee behavioral health, and development of meaningful strategies to address local issues.
Provides regular oversight of substance abuse and behavioral health care of employees during and after treatment to ensure full treatment and development of comprehensive follow up plans that support a successful return to work and an ongoing ability to thrive in a safety culture. Provides comprehensive behavioral health assessments, referrals, and follow-up for employees and family members.
Develops and actively contributes to the EAP Drug and Alcohol Program design and implementation from the beginning of the case through the follow up program of mandatory and voluntary cases.
Provides short term problem resolution for employees and managers on a wide range of sensitive and complex matters, including behavioral health issues that affect work performance, drug/alcohol problems and interpersonal difficulties.
Ensures the timely and effective management of voluntary and mandatory substance abuse cases while maintaining compliance with 49 CFR Part 40 and Amtrak’s Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Plan. Maintains strict confidentiality and secure reporting and records in accordance with established employee assistance professional standards, applicable state and federal statutes, and Amtrak policies.
Collaborates with and provides guidance to managers across the organization to identify and address behavioral health issues that affect safety, productivity and/or employee wellbeing.
Conducts the Substance Abuse Professional Assessments ensuring compliance with DOT/FRA regulations.
Provides clinical expertise on complex behavioral health cases to Amtrak’s medical department, Occupational Testing, Leave Management, Labor Relations, EEO and Compliance and all Amtrak stakeholders.
Oversees the provision of emotionally supportive services by managers, vendor counselors and others following workplace critical incidents to decrease recovery time and increase employee resilience.
Assesses divisional needs for behavioral health education that support a safe workplace.
Develops and conducts customized behavioral health training to support employee resilience, employee safety and workplace wellbeing.
Maintain in-depth knowledge of Federal regulations, Amtrak policies, Labor contacts, benefits, substance abuse resources, and behavioral health strategies.
Provides assessment, referral and case management for employees exposed to workplace trauma.
Monitor productivity and manage performance expectations through collaboration with EAP vendor and other internal resources.
Maintains a strong onsite presence (minimum four days per week), traveling as needed to support operational needs. Not suited for a primarily remote work arrangement.
Maintains a high level of responsiveness, including timely follow-up on employee needs, leadership requests, and emergent situations.
Participates in on-call rotation and responds to critical incidents and urgent situations as required.
Coordinates with vendor counselors to ensure the provision of services to employees and their dependents for personal and behavioral health problems, including but not limited to alcohol, drugs, health, marriage, family, legal, emotional, stress, performance, and financial issues affecting the employee’s productivity.