Alcohol & Drug Counselor - Roots Recovery

Roots Wellness Center•St Paul, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Roots Wellness Center treats co-occurring disorders through a social justice lens and works to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in behavioral healthcare. The Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor provides substance use disorder assessments, contributes to interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning, and delivers individual and group counseling services. The role applies the 12 core functions and other counseling duties identified by Minnesota Statute 245G, while supporting anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and trauma-responsive practices in interactions with clients, staff, community members, and stakeholders. The counselor works in a hybrid environment, including Roots Wellness Center, community locations, and occasionally remote settings. Workspaces include offices, group therapy rooms, and, when coordinating with the legal system, courtrooms or legal offices. The position combines client-centered counseling, care coordination, administrative work, and training responsibilities, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural humility, and professional growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in alcohol and drug counseling.
270 classroom hours in an alcohol and drug counseling curriculum.
Completion of 880 hours of alcohol and drug counseling practicum.
At least 2 years of experience as an LADC or SUD Assessor.
Knowledge and experience using Procentive.
Maintain active LADC licensure, including required Minnesota continuing education.
Intersectional lens, cultural humility, and awareness of personal areas of privilege.
Strong interpersonal, oral, written, and listening communication skills.
Time-management, initiative, and organizational skills.
Presentation and training skills.
Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Proficiency in cultural competency and sensitivity in treatment delivery.
Comfort, proven experience, and interest working with people across a range of identities, including age, disability, religion, spirituality, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, relationship structure, Indigenous heritage, national origin, immigration status, and gender.
Willingness to support anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and trauma-responsive practice.

Responsibilities

Complete assessments and treatment plans using ASAM criteria and sound clinical writing.
Facilitate intake, orientation, group activities, individual counseling, and family counseling for program clients.
Facilitate 5–6 groups per week in the part-time role or 9–10 groups per week in the full-time role.
Manage an individual caseload of up to 7 clients part time or 14 clients full time.
Engage clients in decision-making and help them understand the benefits of assessment and accessing the appropriate level of care.
Collect and review referral information, consult as needed, and coordinate services and client interview scheduling.
Coordinate with other providers to ensure comprehensive care and document accordingly.
Advocate for participants within systems to support equitable, quality care.
Collect information from collateral resources to help determine treatment needs and level of support.
Collaborate with clients’ funding sources to obtain initial reimbursement authorizations for intervention and recovery support services.
Complete paperwork and maintain accurate, current clinical records, including outcomes survey and invoicing information; enter required information into the EMR system.
Attend and participate in weekly staffing to coordinate care and consult.
Provide treatment coordination to clients.
Stay current with professional research and techniques, complete required continuing education, and attend in-house training and staff meetings.
Participate in cross-training opportunities related to professional growth and agency needs.
Perform other related duties as assigned.