Drug and Alcohol Counselor

Description

This is a full-time, FLSA exempt position with the Carson City Juvenile Services. Under the general supervision of the Deputy Chief, the Alcohol and Drug Counselor assists the Deputy Chief with program development. The Alcohol and Drug Counselor manages a caseload of clients and is responsible for evaluations, the development of clients’ treatment plans, adolescent skills and AOD groups and networking with community resources and professionals. The Alcohol and Drug Counselor must be a licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor. May oversee interns as applicable. Carson City Juvenile Services encompasses community probation and youth in detention. Staff are expected to be flexible with the work schedule and may be expected to work weekends and holidays.

**This is a grant funded position and as such employees are responsible for knowing abiding by the rules of the grant. This position will continue to be funded as long as the grant is renewed**.

This position is contingent on Board of Supervisors approval on January 16, 2025.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.

• Formulates policies, procedures and guidelines for the Alcohol and Drug Program and participates in budget preparation by making recommendations regarding staffing, travel and program needs.
• Facilitates alcohol and drug counseling
• Develops and implements the adolescent alcohol and drug treatment program.
• Assists with general staff development for WNRYC employees; provides staff training on substance abuse and related issues and adolescent developmental phases and behaviors.
• Conducts intakes and assessments of youth, using the American Society of Addiction Medicine Patient Placement Criteria II (ASAMPPC-2R), who are potential referrals into the treatment program. When indicated, administer additional assessment tools (i.e. the SASSI, Beck’s depression scale, etc.
• Provides quality control and assurance on paperwork required for case management and treatment planning including case notes, treatment plans, discharge summaries, reports to referral sources, etc. Train Case Managers to report client information as required by SAPTA. Participate in quality management activities, data collection and outcome studies.
• Participates in staff meetings, consultations, in-services, and clinical meetings when necessary.
• Actively fosters, supports, and participates in a team-oriented work environment containing open and supportive communication with an attitude and behavior reflecting a high level of professional ethics. Acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Interviews and observes clients, family members, support systems and community agencies to determine appropriate placement, supervision, and treatment; analyzes and integrates information obtained through interviews, observations and medical and clinical records; keeps accurate patient records; and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Identifies available resources and assists in accessing those resources to reduce the risk of harm to the client.
• Develops, implements and monitors treatment, behavioral and/or training plans, determines strengths, presents problems, identifies available resources, appropriate interventions, and performs casework duties.
• Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the areas of substance use and addiction.
• Provides consultation for other professionals and serves as an expert on multi-disciplinary review teams.
• Conducts home visits with probation officers as needed.
• Testifies in court and/or hearings.
• Applies evidence-based concepts.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the Office's service provision by developing and coordinating work teams and by reviewing, recommending and implementing improved policies and procedures pertinent to the Drug and Alcohol program.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, family members, visitors, and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Represents Carson City Juvenile Services in community and act as Office liaison to community agencies providing substance use services; conducts training and presentations for law enforcement, community groups and organizations.
• Selects, administers, scores, and interprets appropriate assessments.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Behavioral Science i.e. Social Work, Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, or any closely related field of study
• CADC or LADC License
• Certification as a Supervisor of Certified Drug and Alcohol-Interns may be required.
• Four years counseling experience with adolescents and their families

• Valid driver’s license
• License to practice in the State of Nevada as a LADC or CADC OR must be successfully obtained within six (6) months
• Crisis Prevention Intervention certificate must be obtained upon hire
• First Aid and CPR certifications must be obtained upon hire
• NCJIS Certification for access to criminal justice records must be obtained upon hire

• Purpose and function of adolescent alcohol and drug treatment programs.
• Basic principles and techniques in supervising and counseling juveniles.
• Program development, planning and outcome measurements.
• Proficient in assessing and evaluating client’s behavioral health from beginning to end of treatment process.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including selection, work planning, organization, performance review and evaluation, and employee training and discipline.
• First Aid, CPR and emergency medical practices and procedures.
• Individual and group alcohol and drug counseling techniques. Must be experienced with development and facilitation of adolescent psychoeducational groups.
• Behavior modification techniques.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Use standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course of the work.

• Educating clients on a variety substance use related issues.
• Responding to emergency situations.
• Counseling clients with co-occurring diagnosis.
• Preparing and maintaining confidentiality and security of records.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Communicating under stressful conditions and with those in crisis and potentially suicidal situations.
• Communicating and relating to adolescents while maintaining healthy and professional boundaries.
• Use team approach in accomplishing goals.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, family members, visitors, and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Writing comprehensive evaluations, reports, and recommendations.
• Preparing statistical reports.

Supplemental Information

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Under General Direction - Incumbents at this level have considerable latitude in the application of office policy, and they follow general guidelines or professional and administrative standards in accomplishing assignments. They are responsible for planning and organizing their own workload, but ordinarily cannot change methods of their assigned work unit, established operations, or office policy without supervisor approval. Supervision is minimal, indirect, and usually limited to technical oversight.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mobility to work in a mobile crisis response setting to include entering and exiting a vehicle numerous times a shift, occasional reading of paper or a computer while in movement, exposure to various weather conditions, as well as working in both an office and within limited space as a vehicle passenger. May not have scheduled breaks or rest periods and unplanned overtime. Ability to use standard office equipment and stamina to sit and stand for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, on a radio, or over the telephone; exposure to traffic conditions and external environment; and may be subject to exposure to blood and airborne diseases/fluids.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• 
  Unclassified employees are “At Will” and as such, may be terminated at any time for any reason, or no reason.

• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

• Any City employee may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position which may include working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.

• This position may require working a non-traditional work schedule, so the employee must be willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

• Employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continuing employment.

• New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation which costs the new employee $47.00 and a drug screen which costs $36.50. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.

• Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov.
• This is a grant funded position and as such employees are responsible for knowing abiding by the rules of the grant. This position will continue to be funded as long as the grant is renewed.