SUD Counselor (SUDP / SUDPT)

About DESC

Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long‑term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time. DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs, 19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered‑site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.

Schedule

Shift: Day (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Pay

$39.08 – $43.15 per hour

Benefits

• Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)
• Dental
• Life insurance
• Long‑term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• ORCA card subsidy
• Paid Time Off (34 days per year)
• Retirement plan

Union Representation

This position is part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

Responsibilities

• Perform substance use disorder assessments, intake evaluations, individual and group therapy, and create Individual Service Plans (ISP) with clients.
• Coordinate care within and outside of DESC.
• Participate in weekly supervision with direct supervisor and team meetings.
• Attend a weekly SUDPT learning academy.
• Present clients needing extra support during weekly psychiatric consultation as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Coordinate care conferences with the entire care team when issues are identified.
• Participate, if needed, in monthly Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QA/QI) meetings.
• Attend all required DESC in‑service and King County‑sponsored trainings.
• Follow all DESC agency policies and procedures.
• Ensure timely documentation of all services as outlined by King County and DESC.
• Participate in research related to services at DESC within the agency and with external entities (e.g., UW, HCA).
• Maintain credential licensing on time; if SUDP, maintain continuing education requirements; if SUDPT, be enrolled in school per DOH requirements and provide documentation.
• Support clients in achieving and maintaining healthy living conditions, including attending care conferences, outreach, skill‑building, coordinating with housing staff, cleaning units, and documenting barriers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Licensed by the State of Washington as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) or Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee (SUDPT) in good standing.
• For SUDPT: attested to the WA State Department of Health that the applicant is currently enrolled in an educational program to meet the educational requirements of a SUDP (full licensure requires an associate degree).
• Interest or experience working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health programs.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs, and respect for clients.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bi‑cultural and/or bilingual background/experience.
• Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness and severe mental illness.

Physical Demands

The position requires the ability to sit for long periods, communicate verbally and audibly, lift and carry items up to 40 lb, and operate computer hardware. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.