Substance Abuse Counselor

About the role

The Substance Abuse Counselors work at the Alcohol and Other Drugs Unit within the Behavioral Health Division, providing counseling and prevention services to individuals, families, and groups. They also conduct intake assessments, provide crisis intervention, and develop recovery plans.

Responsibilities

• Interviews applicants to determine appropriateness for program services
• Conducts intake assessments to determine client problems and appropriate course of action
• Orients clients on program requirements
• Provides substance abuse counseling to individuals, families and groups
• Conducts group education programs
• Provides crisis intervention and counseling
• Develops recovery plans and makes referrals to appropriate service providers
• Represents the division to the community through outreach activities and educational programs
• Maintains client case records and does technical client charting
• Participates in meetings, committees and training
• Plans, schedules and implements clients daily work, counseling and recreational activities
• Marks ongoing treatment
• Develops aftercare plans and provides client follow-up
• Provides and promotes excellent customer service for all internal and external customers

Requirements

• License Required: Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License
• Certification Required: Certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor issued by a certifying agency approved by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
• Education: 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university, including at least 12 semester or 15 quarter units in psychology, sociology, counseling, or chemical dependency
• Experience: One (1) year of full-time experience, or its equivalent, counseling persons in a substance abuse program or one (1) year of experience as a Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee in Contra Costa County

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Acknowledge and respect cultural and linguistic differences of the County's diverse population

Skills

• Ability to use provide counseling and related family counseling and education
• Ability to communicate effectively with people experiencing anxiety, stress and depression
• Knowledge of the current substance abuse methods and techniques of individual and group counseling

Benefits

N/A

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A