Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC)

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is seeking a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) to assist Texas residents living with substance use disorders (SUD) by increasing access and retention in substance use, mental health, and medical services.

About the role

This position coordinates and provides specialized supportive counseling for the treatment and rehabilitation of substance use to eligible populations in community settings such as homeless encampments, shelters, and drug treatment facilities. You will work with a team of Care Coordinators and Psychiatric Technicians, monitor and assess consumer behavior and progress, contribute to treatment planning, and document services. This role requires travel via agency vehicle and flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Performs specialized supportive counseling, screenings, and assessments for consumers with substance use disorders or dual diagnoses.
• Provides outreach services to eligible populations to increase their access to substance use, mental health, and medical services.
• Maintains familiarity with current community resources for the target population.
• Ensures all services provided meet eligibility criteria and are authorized in accordance with agency and regulatory guidelines.
• Provides training and education on the nature of substance use, addressing symptom-related problems, triggers, and coping mechanisms.
• Assists consumers in gaining and coordinating access to necessary care.
• Monitors compliance with eligibility requirements for ongoing treatment (e.g., financial assessment, current diagnosis) using available agency reports.
• Demonstrates ethical conduct in all clinical and professional activities.
• Builds working relationships with various agencies in the community.
• Enters data into required systems (e.g., Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), Anasazi).

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent (required).
• Bachelor’s degree in the Human Services field (e.g., psychology, sociology) preferred.
• At least two (2) years of experience as an Alcoholism/Chemical Dependency Counselor (preferred).
• Outreach and engagement experience (preferred).
• Valid Texas Driver’s license.
• LCDC license.

Skills

• Basic understanding of mental illness, substance use, its effects, common signs and symptoms, and difficulties with coping in community settings.
• Knowledgeable and competent in discussing HIV, HCV, and other communicable diseases associated with substance use.
• Ability to discuss sexuality openly and comfortably.
• Knowledge of local community resources.
• Strong communication, listening, and interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively in a team.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Proficient in word processing and Excel software.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Robust retirement plan with generous company matching.
• Prior service credit for accelerated Paid Time Off accrual.
• Cell Phone Discounts and exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work.
• Free Headspace subscription for mental wellness.
• Employee Assistance Program for overall well-being.
• Student loan forgiveness programs.

Schedule

Flexible schedule, Monday – Friday. Position requires community-based engagement with occasional challenging conditions.

Work Environment

This role involves engaging with a diverse range of individuals, some of whom may be emotional, physically hostile, agitated, or uncooperative. You will work in various community settings, including homeless encampments, shelters, and drug treatment facilities.

About The Harris Center: The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provided care to over 96,000 people in fiscal year 2023. Services are provided in more than 40 different languages, including sign language, across 86 sites in Harris County.