Substance Abuse Counselor

Salary : $78,015.84 - $94,828.80 Annually

Location : Contra Costa County, CA

Job Type : Permanent Full-Time

Job Number : VHVC-2018A

Department : Health Services - Only

Opening Date : 05 / 16 / 2023

Closing Date : Continuous

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit : TC

The Position

The Board of Supervisors have authorized the following future salary increases for this classification :

5% on July 1, 2025

Contra Costa Health is offering an excellent career opportunity for qualified individuals interested in several Substance Abuse Counselor positions. Substance Abuse Counselors work at the Alcohol and Other Drugs unit within the Behavioral Health Division. The candidates selected will engage in a variety of counseling and prevention activities targeted at individuals, groups, and families experiencing or at high risk for problems related to substance abuse.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record demonstrating the following :

• 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

Characteristics of the ideal candidate :

Read the complete job description at

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Typical Tasks

Minimum Qualifications

License Required : Candidates must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of State valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License will be accepted during the application process.

Certification Required : Candidates must possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment 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 : Successful completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university which included 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.

Substitution for Education : Additional qualifying experience of the type noted above may be substituted for the required completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units of education on a year-for-year basis. No substitution is allowed for the required 12 semester or 15 quarter units of specialized coursework.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS : A background investigation / fingerprint and / or physical exam may be required prior to the start of employment.

Selection Process

1. Application Filing : All applicants must apply on-line at www.cccounty.us / hr and submit the information as indicated on the job announcement by the final filing date. A completed supplemental questionnaire is required at the time of applying.

2. Application Evaluation : Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be convened to evaluate and select the best-qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination.

3. Training and Experience Evaluation : Consists of an evaluation of each candidate's relevant education, training and / or experience as presented on the application and supplemental questionnaire. (Weighted 100%).

4. Candidates must receive a score of at least 70, which may be an adjusted score, in order to be ranked on the employment list.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. 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.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to

A completed supplemental questionnaire is required for this position.

Your supplemental questionnaire responses will be used to evaluate your education, training and / or experience as it relates to this position and will determine your score and rank of the employment list. You will receive a rating of 70% for meeting the minimum qualifications. Do not answer any of the questions by indicating, "see attached resume." Be concise limiting your response to the information that is relevant to each question.

I read and understand the above instructions.

I possess a certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor issued by a certifying agency approved by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

I possess 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university which included at least 12 semester or 15 quarter units in Psychology, sociology, counseling, or chemical dependency.

USE THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS 5 THROUGH 9 : For each area, identify : 1) Official Work Title, 2) Employer's Name and Type of Organization, 3) Months of Experience, 4) hardware and software used (equipment / tools), and 5) Specific Duties Performed

I read and understand the above instructions.

Describe your experience conducting group sessions with participants in a substance use disorder setting. Please include any evidence-based curriculum you have utilized in a group setting.

Describe your experience with maintaining a client file as well as creating and updating treatment plans based on Drug Medi-Cal regulations.

Describe your role and experience working in a licensed, residential treatment facility.

Describe your experience and the type of tools you utilized to support the needs of clients with co-occurring disorders while helping them to progress in their SUD treatment plan.

Describe the benchmarks that you utilize as a counselor to determine when a client is ready to transition to a different ASAM level of care.

Yes, I certify that I meet the announced requirements for this examination and understand that I will be eliminated at any stage in such examination if it develops that, in fact I do not meet them. I further certify that all statements made in this supplemental questionnaire and the application are true and I agree and understand that misstatements or omissions of material fact s will cause forfeiture of my rights to employment with Contra Costa County.

Required Question

Salary : $78,016 - $94,829