What are the responsibilities and job description for the Substance Abuse Counselor position at County of San Benito?
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, to provide assessments, treatment planning, and counseling for Substance Abuse Program clients; to provide education, consultation services, and training for other staff, community agencies, and the public; to perform prevention activities designed to prevent alcohol and drug abuse in the County; and to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a fully experienced Substance Abuse Counselor classification. Incumbents have responsibility for providing a variety of substance abuse counseling services for individuals and groups. Incumbents are required to develop case service plans, identify appropriate treatment methods, and use a variety of counseling techniques.
REPORTS TO
Substance Abuse Program Administrator
CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED
This is not a supervisory classification.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office, clinic, home, school, or community environments; work is performed with people who may exhibit unstable and potentially violent behavior; continuous contact with other staff and the public.(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)
Meets with individuals, families, and groups in clinic, home, schools, jails and community settings to develop client centered service plans
Conducts assessments of clients with substance abuse concerns Develops treatment plans for clients; provides outpatient counseling on an individual/group basis to assist clients in understanding their problems and developing plans to resolve them
May work with clients' families to secure their cooperation in programs Advises clients on available community resources and serves as a liaison with organizations and service agencies
Makes referrals and other arrangements for client treatment and service, as necessary
Prepares and present progress reports on assigned cases
Cooperates with professionals from other disciplines in the development of team and collaborative diagnoses and counseling programs
Develops recommendations to mitigate client problems and follows-up with clients and their families to assess progress
Performs crisis intervention
Maintains records and prepares reports for State and local agencies Conducts community substance abuse prevention programs for targeted groups, such as school children.Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Two years of experience working in substance abuse counseling and related social services in a public or certified private welfare or health agency.
Special Requirements:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.
Possession of or ability to obtain a Certificate as a Certified Addiction Specialist.Knowledge of:
Psychological and social aspects and characteristics of substance abuse.
Drugs and drug abuse patterns, alcoholism, and the physiological effects of drug abuse and alcoholism.
Methods and techniques for conducting assessments of individuals' substance abuse problems.
Approved principles and practices of psychological counseling and group therapy.
Available community resources for substance abuse services.
Requirements and needs of persons with seriously substance abuse problems.
State and local laws, policies, and procedures governing the administration of alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs, especially those pertaining to an individual's legal rights.
Ability to:
Assess substance abuse problems and develop services to meet client problems, working and consulting with clients and other professional staff.
Conduct effective individual and group counseling related to substance abuse problems and recovery.
Recognize a potential crisis and deliver crisis intervention services.
Handle stress and unstable client behavior.
Communicate effectively with people from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Explain complex and technical terminology and concepts in an understandable and non-threatening manner.
Establish and maintain a variety of personal and administrative records, clinical documentation, and related materials.
Effectively represent the Substance Abuse Program in contacts with clients, the public, community organizations, other County staff, and other government organizations.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 Ibs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX. Work is performed in an office environment, continuous contact with other staff.
Disaster Service Workers:
All San Benito County employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 § 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following significant emergency or disaster.
Under general supervision, to provide assessments, treatment planning, and counseling for Substance Abuse Program clients; to provide education, consultation services, and training for other staff, community agencies, and the public; to perform prevention activities designed to prevent alcohol and drug abuse in the County; and to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a fully experienced Substance Abuse Counselor classification. Incumbents have responsibility for providing a variety of substance abuse counseling services for individuals and groups. Incumbents are required to develop case service plans, identify appropriate treatment methods, and use a variety of counseling techniques.
REPORTS TO
Substance Abuse Program Administrator
CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED
This is not a supervisory classification.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office, clinic, home, school, or community environments; work is performed with people who may exhibit unstable and potentially violent behavior; continuous contact with other staff and the public.(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)
Meets with individuals, families, and groups in clinic, home, schools, jails and community settings to develop client centered service plans
Conducts assessments of clients with substance abuse concerns Develops treatment plans for clients; provides outpatient counseling on an individual/group basis to assist clients in understanding their problems and developing plans to resolve them
May work with clients' families to secure their cooperation in programs Advises clients on available community resources and serves as a liaison with organizations and service agencies
Makes referrals and other arrangements for client treatment and service, as necessary
Prepares and present progress reports on assigned cases
Cooperates with professionals from other disciplines in the development of team and collaborative diagnoses and counseling programs
Develops recommendations to mitigate client problems and follows-up with clients and their families to assess progress
Performs crisis intervention
Maintains records and prepares reports for State and local agencies Conducts community substance abuse prevention programs for targeted groups, such as school children.Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Two years of experience working in substance abuse counseling and related social services in a public or certified private welfare or health agency.
Special Requirements:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.
Possession of or ability to obtain a Certificate as a Certified Addiction Specialist.Knowledge of:
Psychological and social aspects and characteristics of substance abuse.
Drugs and drug abuse patterns, alcoholism, and the physiological effects of drug abuse and alcoholism.
Methods and techniques for conducting assessments of individuals' substance abuse problems.
Approved principles and practices of psychological counseling and group therapy.
Available community resources for substance abuse services.
Requirements and needs of persons with seriously substance abuse problems.
State and local laws, policies, and procedures governing the administration of alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs, especially those pertaining to an individual's legal rights.
Ability to:
Assess substance abuse problems and develop services to meet client problems, working and consulting with clients and other professional staff.
Conduct effective individual and group counseling related to substance abuse problems and recovery.
Recognize a potential crisis and deliver crisis intervention services.
Handle stress and unstable client behavior.
Communicate effectively with people from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Explain complex and technical terminology and concepts in an understandable and non-threatening manner.
Establish and maintain a variety of personal and administrative records, clinical documentation, and related materials.
Effectively represent the Substance Abuse Program in contacts with clients, the public, community organizations, other County staff, and other government organizations.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 Ibs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX. Work is performed in an office environment, continuous contact with other staff.
Disaster Service Workers:
All San Benito County employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 § 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following significant emergency or disaster.
Salary : $60,694 - $81,370
