Substance Use Counselor

Arizona Department of Administration•Buckeye, AZ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) is hiring a Substance Use Counselor (Correctional Substance Use Counselor Senior) for Education Programs and Community Reentry at the Arizona State Prison Complex (ASPC) – Lewis in Buckeye, Arizona. The role supports substance-challenged individuals through clinical and educational services in a correctional setting, with the stated goal of helping them become community leaders and contributing to public safety and reentry. The counselor delivers substance-use education and therapy groups, conducts individual clinical assessments and counseling, maintains clinical records and statistical data, develops treatment plans, and coordinates transitional pre-release planning with case managers. The position also involves collaboration with community providers and security staff, participation in clinical meetings, and travel or driving on state business. Employment is contingent on passing a background investigation and drug test. Employees must complete TB testing during orientation and annually thereafter, and newly hired state employees must complete E-Verify.

Requirements

Hold an Arizona license as a Licensed Independent Addiction Counselor (LIAC), Licensed Associate Addiction Counselor (LAAC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Psychologist.
Pass a background investigation and drug test consistent with Arizona Revised Statutes.
If driving on state business, possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, pass required driving-record checks, complete required training, and maintain an acceptable driving record; personally owned vehicles used for state business must have statutorily required liability insurance.
Complete a Tuberculosis (TB) test during New Employee Orientation and annually thereafter.
Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
Knowledge of addiction and treatment practices and protocols, counseling techniques, adult learning processes, ADCRR policies and procedures, correctional security practices, computers and software including Microsoft Office and Google Suite, and professional English, grammar, and spelling.
Skill in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationship-building, organization and time management, active listening, counseling and interviewing, and collecting and maintaining accurate data, documents, and clinical records.
Ability to deliver program curriculum in a classroom, interact professionally with inmates/offenders in group and one-on-one settings and with security staff and the public, work in a secure correctional/prison environment, collect and maintain statistical data, and work independently with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited school with a major in psychology, counseling, or a related field.
Independent licensure.
Two years of counseling experience.

Responsibilities

Conduct substance-use education classes and therapy groups with inmate/offender participants.
Conduct one-on-one clinical assessments and counseling sessions.
Maintain clinical records.
Participate in clinical staffings and meetings.
Develop individual substance-abuse treatment plans with inmate/offender program participants.
Coordinate transitional pre-release planning with case managers and maintain accurate statistical data.
Interact with community resource providers and security staff.
Travel or drive on state business.
Perform other duties appropriate to the assignment.

Benefits

$5,000 hiring incentive for eligible new hires, subject to continued approved funding; $2,500 is paid upfront and the remaining $2,500 after three months of employment.
Vacation and sick days.
10 paid holidays per year.
Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child through a pilot program.
Medical, dental, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance options.
Retirement program through the Arizona State Retirement System; enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.
Optional deferred compensation plans.
Credit union membership.
Wellness program.
Incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program.
Potential paid conferences and workshops when possible.
Potential clinical supervision for independent licensure.
Eligible ASPC locations may be approved sites for the National Health Service Corps Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program, which may provide up to $75,000 in repayment for three years of employment; this is not guaranteed by ADCRR.