Substance Abuse Counselor II

Introduction

This examination is being given to multiple vacancies in the Behavioral Health Services Department and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies.

These positions will be working in the Substance Abuse Services division which provides both outpatient and residential treatment services.

Outpatient Services

Provides outpatient treatment services for adults and court referred youth up to age 18. Perinatal outpatient treatment for pregnant women. Offers a 15 week Drug Diversion program and 12 week Substance Abuse Education program. Also offers interim services while waiting for admission to treatment when referred by the Court.

Locations: 620 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA and 1212 N. California St., Stockton, CA

Schedule: Day shift

Residential Services: Recovery House and Family Ties

Recovery House is a residential drug and alcohol treatment program for adult men and women using social model detox services. The focus in Recovery House is on co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Short-term and long-term care are available to participants.

Family Ties is a residential drug and alcohol treatment program for pregnant women and women with children ages 0-10.

Locations: 500 W. Hospital Rd, French Camp, CA

Schedules: Rotating shift which includes working nights, weekends, holidays

Click to learn more about the and the Substance Abuse Services division.

Pre-employment Drug Screening: Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed the drug screen. The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

INCENTIVES for HARD to RECRUIT/Retention

The following incentives and bonuses may be available for eligible new hires. Incentives and bonuses are subject to approval by Human Resources:

• Vacation Accrual Rate: San Joaquin County vacation accrual rate consistent with the candidate's total years o• Sick Leave: Candidates leaving other employment may receive credit for actual non-reimbursable sick leave hours (up to 160 hours) from their last agency. Hours shall be subject to San Joaquin County's minimum sick leave cash out provisions.

• New Hire Retention Bonus:

$2,000 upon completion of first year equivalent employment (2,080 hours)

$1,000 upon completion of third year equivalent employment (6,240 hours)

$3,000 upon completion of sixth year equivalent employment (12,480 hours)

*This position is represented by the SEIU bargaining unit and will receive a salary increase effective July 2025 - 3% Cost of Living Adjustment increase.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs casework and counseling in a San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Program; coordinates services or component programs; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the second level in the Substance Abuse Counselor series. At this level, incumbents are certified Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselors and skilled in performing a wide variety of functions including case management, special project assignments and program development. Incumbents work independently to provide a wide range of group and individual counseling utilizing a variety of treatment methods. Incumbents may train first level counselors.

TYPICAL DUTIES

Conducts intake interviews; administers various assessment tools to collect client data to assist with determining addiction severity and level of care; assigns clients to specific programs or counselors; performs client physical checks, observations, and documents client progress in conformance with Medi-Cal, state, federal and county program requirements. 

Obtains client background and financial information; collects fees; may assist clients in filing for benefits and State Disability. 

Plans and conducts individual and group counseling sessions; discusses and evaluates individual and family behavioral, social and psychological issues which affect treatment and progress; determines most effective treatment plans, implements plans and evaluates progress.

Selects and monitors volunteer staff; develops and implements comprehensive training and orientation programs; maintains records of work performed; provides evaluations and references for volunteer staff.

Maintains client records; documents progress notes, doctor’s appointments, court appearances and other pertinent information; prepares reports and correspondence.

Assesses and evaluates clients referred by law enforcement, probation and other agencies and develops plans for treatment; interviews clients, family and others to compile pre-assessment reports; monitors client’s participation in individual and group counseling; reports progress to courts, law enforcement agencies, or other jurisdictions; coordinates treatment and supervision of clients with various correctional agencies, medical staff, court officials and others.

Assists clients to establish plans to address social, cultural, familial and personal factors contributing to substance abuse.

Identifies community resources to refer clients to appropriate resources.

May transport clients to various community resources.

Leads group discussions and education classes; works with groups to provide a supportive environment to encourage clients to remain substance free; participates in training programs to maintain group facilitator skills.

May conduct field work to identify clients and high-risk individuals; provides information about available community resources and treatment programs; provides follow-up counseling regarding risks associated with substance abuse; may develop programs for high-risk clients including prevention and educational activities with youth in community settings.

May verbally explain various written material and instructions for non-English speaking clients and families; assists staff in working with clients of other cultures.

May provide financial and money management counseling and assistance to clients; reviews client financial resources; may assist clients with budgeting and managing income; coordinates efforts with various social service agencies to ensure proper receipt and accounting of income and expenses; participates in utilization review functions to ensure proper management of clients’ progress and use of resources.

Develops curriculum and resources for specialized training for group educational sessions; obtains specialized training and may develop resources to train other staff; implements and modifies specialized training programs; presents special group training throughout the agency.

May perform special project assignments such as assisting in developing, implementing and modifying curricula; performing special assignments related to new programs or changes in existing programs; developing and implementing new procedures; participating on committees and task forces; resolving issues in delivery of services and operations.

May provide leadership and training to staff; may provide work guidance to other staff; may coordinate small ad-hoc committees and groups; may review work of other lower-level counselors; may schedule special activities for specific program components; may assume responsibilities of other counselors/ workers in their absence; may direct resident and volunteer workers to include training and evaluation.

May be assigned to rotating shifts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Successful completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university which included 12 semester or 15 quarter units in psychology, sociology, counseling, chemical dependency or a closely related field. Certification: Possession of a current certificate as an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor issued by a certifying organization approved by the State of California. Certification must be maintained, as defined by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 8, commencing with Section 13000. Failure to maintain certification may result in release from employment. AND
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license if required by the nature of the assignment.

KNOWLEDGE

Laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to the County’s Substance Abuse Program, including client confidentiality and Counselor’s Code of Conduct; principles and techniques of individual and group counseling; physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of alcohol and other drug abuse and dependency; needs, problems, attitudes and behavior patterns of substance abuse clients; principles of public relations; reporting and record-keeping techniques; basic computer and modern office automation technology and computer software programs relevant to department operations; community resources and agencies.

ABILITY

Understand and apply regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to a substance abuse program; facilitate individual and group counseling sessions; maintain client confidentiality; evaluate client and family needs; analyze and evaluate situations accurately; reason logically and draw valid conclusions; recommend and implement effective treatment plans; counsel clients and families; operate computers and related software; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, community agencies and the public; maintain records and write reports; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility- frequent sitting for long periods; operate a data entry device; some walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; driving; Lifting- frequent lifting of 5 pounds or less; occasional lifting of 5-30 pounds; Visual- constant need for good, overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent need for color perception and use of hand/eye coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity- Frequent holding, reaching, repetitive motion, writing. Hearing/Talking- frequent need to hear normal speech, talk/hear on the telephone and talk in person; Emotional/Psychological— frequent public contact, exposure to emotionally charged situations and distraught clients; deal with emergency situations; constant concentration; occasional exposure to trauma, grief, or death; Special Requirements--may require working weekends/nights; working alone; Environmental—occasional exposure to varied weather conditions. San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.