Substance Abuse Counselor I

MTC Corrections•Bryan, TX

26d•Onsite

About The Position

The Substance Abuse Counselor I provides counseling and recovery skills training to offenders at the J.W. Hamilton Pre-Release Unit in Bryan, Texas. The role supports program orientation, education, individual counseling, and process counseling groups in accordance with program standards and policies. It includes assessing DWI offenders’ recovery needs and re-offense risk, contributing to individualized treatment plans, maintaining service records and reports, and coordinating follow-up and aftercare resources before participants are released. At program completion, the counselor prepares an Individual Progress Summary for each offender on their caseload.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent GED.
Current letter of registration as a Counselor Intern (LCDC-I) from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), or current valid Certified Criminal Justice Professional Applicant Status (CCJP-A) certification approved by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals.
Obtain an LCDC license or CCJP certification within five years from the date of Counselor Intern registration or CCJP-A status.
Sign a Credential Contingency Agreement (CCA); failure to comply results in separation from employment.
Valid Texas driver’s license with an acceptable driving record, unless waived by management.
Successfully complete Correctional Awareness Training (CAT), TDCJ-approved annual in-service training requirements, and background checks.
Maintain Counselor Intern status or CCJP-A certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

Provide substance abuse counseling and recovery skills training.
Participate in offender orientation, educational activities, and individual and process counseling groups in compliance with program standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Interview, screen, and evaluate offenders for potential program participation.
Use a battery of valid measurement tools to assess DWI offenders’ recovery needs and risk of re-offense.
Participate in developing Individual Treatment Plans based on assessment findings, collateral information, and clinical interviews.
Maintain offender and other service records, including workload statistics, and compile data and submit reports and related documentation.
Serve as a liaison to participants in training programs, workshops, and seminars.
Implement follow-up and aftercare plans for offenders before release and provide information about community resources for follow-up treatment.
Prepare an Individual Progress Summary at program completion for each offender on the caseload, documenting evaluation results, participation, and quality of completion in the DWI programs.