Senior Substance Abuse Counselor

County of Mendocino•Ukiah, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The current vacancy is in Ukiah. The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium. Under direction, as lead worker in either an adult or adolescent program, provides assessments, treatment planning, professional counseling and various therapeutic services to clients who abuse various substances and/or have emotional disorders. Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Social Work, Mental Health, Counseling, Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) or related field, current certification in State Approved AOD Certification program; AND three (3) years of full-time experience providing substance abuse counseling.
Depending upon area of assignment may require experience that is specific to adult or adolescent treatment.
Valid Driver’s License
Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate from accredited college or university, or Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Psychologist
Knowledge of Principles, practices, and techniques of substance abuse counseling and relapse prevention, and recovery maintenance.
Knowledge of Human physiology, anatomy, biology and the interactions of controlled substances on these systems.
Knowledge of Departmental policies and procedures.
Knowledge of Individual, family and group dynamics.
Knowledge of Crisis intervention techniques.
Knowledge of Community systems of care, funding sources, and program coordination.
Knowledge of Ethical and legal standards related to client rights and the handling of client information during a treatment regimen.
Knowledge of Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, codes, laws, rules and regulations and legislative issues, specifically 42 CFR, part 2.
Knowledge of Protocols and procedures of the legal system including the courts.
Knowledge of Methods and techniques of curriculum development and presentation.
Knowledge of Case management, documentation, data analysis, and outcome of evaluation methods.
Knowledge of Computer applications and hardware used to perform the essential functions of the job.
Knowledge of Chain of custody requirements for urinalysis testing.
Knowledge of Intervention strategies appropriate to cultural, gender, age group of clients, such as motivational interviewing.
Knowledge of Unique needs of client based on age, gender, and developmental and cultural differences.
Depending upon assignment: Adult or adolescent development and the treatment of co-occurring mental disorders.
Depending upon assignment: Adult or adolescent learning theory and its application.
Skill in Organizing, assigning, leading and reviewing the work of staff.
Skill in Managing client caseloads.
Skill in Collaboratively discussing and resolving client case management issues.
Skill in Observing and recording recovery behavior.
Skill in Develop program goals, performance measures, and evaluation tools.
Skill in Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Skill in Managing crisis and complex client situations with sound clinical judgement.
Skill in Interacting effectively with people in stressful situations.
Exercise leadership in clinical and administrative functions.
Model and promote professional ethics, boundaries, and accountability.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, clients and those encountered in the course of work.
Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, tailoring the message to the intended audience.
Write clear and concise narrative reports, correspondence and other materials.
Analyze, evaluate and diagnose situations and adopt effective courses of action.
Effectively speak and make presentations before public groups and respond to questions.
Effectively handle problems involving several variables in non-standardized situations.
Read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
Regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
Regularly required to speak and hear.
Regularly required to use sound and odor perception and discrimination.
Frequently required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Four (4) years of full-time experience performing professional level AOD counseling in a treatment facility may be substituted for the education requirement.

Responsibilities

Carry out lead worker responsibilities, including training in job skills, assigning and directing work, making recommendations in performance appraisal and reporting problems to the supervisor.
Provide therapeutic services by managing cases; scheduling appointments; screening and providing orientation to clients; answering crisis calls; providing and/or facilitating therapeutic activities, programs, etc.; visiting work sites; intervening during client crisis; conducting evaluations and assessments, including assessment tests; making referrals; developing treatment plans; providing ongoing supportive counseling; documenting activities and maintaining files; presenting findings; and consulting with other agencies to facilitate the therapeutic process.
Counsel clients, one-on-one or through group counseling sessions, to identify problems, provide strategies for resolution and/or intervention in order to assist clients in reaching treatment goals.
Attend treatment team, staff and professional meetings to discuss client progress, provide recommendations based on findings and conduct program planning.
Collaborate with and provide an interface for the client with the legal system, other agencies, schools, organizations, parents, etc. to resolve client issues including referrals to receive services and other resources and to disseminate relevant information to various agencies, divisions, or departments in order to facilitate the therapeutic process.
Refer/enroll clients to related programs or services by identifying appropriate resources and assisting clients to accurately complete eligibility or financial applications.
Write routine and non-routine reports, including treatment plans, progress notes, charts, closing and/or transfer summaries, using departmental software; sort and summarize pertinent material for inclusion in order to maintain records of client treatment progress.
Develop curriculum for, coordinate and teach classes/workshops related to substance abuse, drug addiction, emotional wellness, etc. in order to provide clients with skills and techniques necessary to change behaviors, to provide development and training to staff or to make presentations to agencies regarding programs offered.
Enter data into and retrieve from a computer system; use the computer system to create a variety of reports, progress notes, intake forms and other screening tools and documents.
Administer client urinalysis testing by observing collection first-hand and accepting custody of specimen; deliver specimen to laboratory for analysis in order to protect the chain of custody and ensure accurate and valid test results.
Maintain and upgrade knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars, meetings and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.
Ensure that assigned staff perform duties and responsibilities in a safe and prudent manner, which does not expose them or others to unnecessary harm or risk of on-the-job injury.
Perform other related duties as assigned.