Senior Substance Abuse Counselor

Salary: $24.76 - $31.77 Hourly
Location : Eureka, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-00087
Department: Department of Health and Human Services
Division: 425 - Alcohol & Other Drugs
Opening Date: 03/26/2024
Closing Date: 4/9/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
DEFINITION
Senior Substance Abuse Counselor
Department of Health & Human Services
Are you interested in making a difference? If so, please consider joining our dedicated team at the Department of Health & Human Services!
What You'll Do:
This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including:

• Providing substance use disorder assessments.
• Providing treatments to individuals, groups, and families in an outpatient setting with individuals involved in the justice system.
• Facilitating treatment and support groups.
• Participating in substance use disorder prevention and education.
• Performing other related work as assigned.

Where You'll Do It:
This position is located in Eureka, California.
A typical schedule for this position is M-F, 8am-5pm.
Under general supervision, provides Substance Abuse counseling to individuals, groups and families in an out-patient setting; facilitates support groups; participates in Substance Abuse prevention and education programs; performs related work as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the working lead level in the Substance Abuse Counselor series with responsibility to provide direction to staff providing Substance Abuse services to clients in an out-patient setting. Responsibilities include group facilitation, individual and family counseling, and community education and outreach. This class is distinguished from Mental Health Clinician and Psychiatric Technician classes in that the latter are licensed classes providing professional clinical patient support.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Provides individual, group and family counseling focused on rehabilitating drug and alcohol abusers; facilitates support groups.
• Performs intake interviews, assessments, information and referral, treatment planning, and develops counseling programs for clients designed to aid in social adjustment.
• Assists clients in solving problems of housing, unemployment, education and other conditions which may be retarding clients' rehabilitation progress.
• Develops curriculum and facilitates educational groups for identified groups and the community, relating to Substance Abuse and early intervention.
• Participates in community groups and stimulates community interest in identifying and eliminating conditions which contribute to Substance Abuse problems.
• Participates in evaluation and staff meetings for cooperative planning and treatment.
• Maintains appropriate records and prepares written reports.
• Provides day-to-day program direction to staff.
• May serve as case coordinator for assigned patients or clients.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Methods and techniques of individual, group and family counseling.
Psychological, physiological and sociological aspects of drug or alcohol abuse.
Needs, problems, attitudes and behavior patterns of individuals involved in drug or
alcohol abuse.
Cultural issues which may impact effective treatment.
Basic principles of supervision and training.
Applicable County, state and federal guidelines and laws affecting Substance Abuse prevention programs, including drug Medi-Cal regulations.
Community services agencies and resources.
Skill in:
Providing Substance Abuse counseling.
Leading and facilitating group counseling and activities.
Listening and communicating effectively.
Performing crisis intervention and responding promptly to patient emergency situations.
Developing educational materials and curriculum.
Observing and accurately describing client behavior and activities.
Maintaining accurate records and preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in
the course of the work.
Providing direction and training.
Other Requirements:
Must possess a valid California driver's license. Must have two years of experience providing drug and alcohol counseling and education services and possess certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor by an organization approved by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.
Desirable Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:
Three years of experience providing counseling in a Substance Abuse program in a position comparable to the County's class of Substance Abuse Counselor I/II.
WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMPLOYEE PERKS
(insert benefits graphic)
For more information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage:
For more details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to fill out the application?

• You should allow 30 - 45 minutes to fill out your application.

Can I change my application after submitting it?

• You may only submit one application per day.
• You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.
• Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will be archived.

How long until I hear back from you?

• You can expect to hear back from Human Resources about 3 - 4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.

How can I check for updates on my application?

• You can log into your Government Jobs account and review current information regarding any application you have submitted.

Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?

• Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways - oftentimes, outside of formal institutions - and strives to take a holistic approach to in assessing an applicant's qualifications for a position.
If you're excited about this role but your past work experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications must be submitted online through the County's automated application system at no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by both Human Resources staff and may be screened by additional subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.
It is important that your application shows all the relevant experience and education you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments.
Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.
CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAM
Employees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the County or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.

• Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
• Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
• Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62

If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you'd be in Tier III.

• 2% means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that's called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
• If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
The County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair. Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job. "Examination" doesn't always mean taking a test, sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied, and an "oral examination" means a scored and structured interview.
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.
The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.
OTHER EXAMINATIONS
Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.
LICENSES
Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver's license.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY
It is the County's intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.
01
This position requires driving on behalf of the County of Humboldt. Do you possess a current and valid U.S. driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02
Substance Abuse Counselor:Are you currently certified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor by an organization approved by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs?

• Yes
• No

03
Substance Abuse Counselor:Please indicate which agency you are certified with:

• Certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor with the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP)
• Certification as an Alcohol Drug Counselor II with the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)
• Certification as an Addiction Treatment Counselor with the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE)
• I am not certified through an organization approved by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs

04
Please indicate the length of time that most accurately describes your experience providing counseling in a Substance Abuse program.

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• More than 3 years

05
Please describe your experience providing counseling in a Substance Abuse program.
06
Any other coursework, training or experience you would like to add that directly relates to this position.
Required Question