Chemical Dependency Counselor

Responsibilities

• Direct involvement in screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
• Provide group and individual counseling and psychoeducational services
• Maintain offender treatment and document compliance with standards and continuity of care
• Facilitate groups and prepare discharge summaries
• Engage in consultation and make appropriate referrals when needed
• Work in a correctional facility and adhere to security protocols
• Inform supervisor of safety and security issues and attend training programs
• Carry Oleoresin Capsicum (OC/pepper spray) if desired and pass training

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in alcohol and drug abuse studies, counseling, psychology or related field preferred
• Valid certification from the State of South Dakota as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) preferred, but consider Addiction Counselor Trainee (ACT) based on education and work experience
• Background investigation, urine drug screen, and ability to perform essential functions of the position
• Completion of a written and practical self-defense exam, CPR to AHA guidelines, and TB screening

Qualifications

• Highly motivated and experienced in substance use disorder services
• Passionate about serving the public and displaying high effort and commitment
• Committed to completing assignments and goals
• Compassionate and attentive listener with clear communication skills
• Organized and effective in managing time and tasks
• Dedicated and enthusiastic about representing the DOC with integrity and enthusiasm
• Skilled in working cooperatively with others and promoting a friendly work climate
• Knowledge of social, behavioral, psychological, and physical effects of substance use disorders
• Experience with individual and group counseling techniques
• Understanding of community resources for the treatment and rehabilitation of clients with substance use disorders
• Criminal thinking patterns and corrective thinking process knowledge
• Ability to diagnose substance use disorders and gather, interpret, and report information
• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal counseling relationships
• Ability to formulate treatment plans and make recommendations on client care
• Ability to perform treatment needs assessments and treatment planning
• Ability to facilitate groups and prepare discharge summaries
• Ability to engage in consultation and make appropriate referrals when needed
• Ability to work in a correctional facility and adhere to security protocols
• Ability to inform supervisor of safety and security issues and attend training programs
• Ability to carry Oleoresin Capsicum (OC/pepper spray) if desired and pass training

Skills

• Effective communication and motivation of treatment-resistant clients
• Effective time management and organization
• Ability to elicit and identify criteria required to diagnose substance use disorders
• Ability to gather, interpret, report, and use information concerning clients
• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal counseling relationships
• Ability to formulate treatment plans and make recommendations on client care
• Ability to perform treatment needs assessments and treatment planning
• Ability to facilitate groups and prepare discharge summaries
• Ability to engage in consultation and make appropriate referrals when needed
• Ability to work in a correctional facility and adhere to security protocols
• Ability to inform supervisor of safety and security issues and attend training programs
• Ability to carry Oleoresin Capsicum (OC/pepper spray) if desired and pass training

Benefits

• Full state benefits and SDRS retirement
• Professional development opportunities
• Teamwork and cooperative work environment
• Opportunities for student loan reimbursement through NHSC
• Additional benefits including health insurance, paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits
• Class A retirement under SDRS