SUD Counselor I

Join Alliance for Community Empowerment as an Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor and make a lasting impact on individuals overcoming substance use disorders. This rewarding role offers the opportunity to build trust with participants, provide evidence-based interventions, and support personal transformations within an inclusive and professional environment. The SUD Counselor would join ACE’s Department of Behavioral Health and its team of professional counselors who provide high quality care management and therapy services in support of ACE programs. If you're passionate about promoting change and bringing hope to communities, apply today to be part of our mission-driven team!

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide regular individual and group SUD counseling sessions with a focus on harm reduction.
• Build and maintain a positive, trusting rapport with an assigned caseload of participants.
• Support participants in creating a sustainable, substance-free lifestyle, guiding them through recovery and exploring behaviors for lasting change.
• Create individualized treatment plans according to participant needs and circumstances, and update plans as needed.
• Conduct ongoing assessments of participant progress.
• Involve and advise family members when appropriate.
• Refer patients to outside specialists or agencies when necessary.
• Collaborate with participants to develop post-treatment activity plans.
• Safely support participants in instances of mental health crisis.
• Act as a liaison between participants and other service agencies involved in participants’ treatment, such as Probation, Parole, DPSS, EDD, DVR, along with referring care managers and insurance providers.
• Maintain thorough and accurate records of participant meetings, case progress, evaluations, treatment recommendations, and overall progress.
• Maintain compliance with ethical codes and standards.
• Follow all safety protocols and maintain confidentiality of Protected Health Information.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & ABILITIES:

• Proficient at utilizing a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities/interventions.
• Professional-level understanding of current human development and substance use disorders.
• Possesses knowledge of programs, regulations, and procedures regarding human services, social services, justice, and workforce development.
• Is familiar with standard approaches to accurate participant record keeping, including timely charting, notation formats, content limitations, and confidentiality practices.
• Is sensitive to community, cultural and personal dignity of program participants and is able to successfully engage, assess, and plan services for participants typical of the program’s target population.
• Recognizes appropriate boundaries and limitations on interactions with program participants and their families and the need to maintain professional standards and practices.
• Demonstrates cultural competence/cultural humility in community relations and service delivery.
• Possesses the interpersonal skills needed to promote a safe, positive, and inclusive professional work environment conducive to effective service delivery; communicates effectively both orally and in writing.
• General proficiency in navigating and using technology.
• Strong knowledge of HIPAA regulations to ensure patient confidentiality.
• Familiarity with Medicare guidelines for counseling services.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods standing and walking throughout facilities.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to bend, lift, stretch, climb, and crawl to provide services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor from an accredited California agency (CCAPP, CAADE, CADTP).
• Three years’ experience providing SUD counseling services.
• Experience working with youth and adults preferred.
• Possess a current California Driver’s License, clean DMV record & adequate auto insurance.
• Must submit to a Department of Justice Criminal background check.
• Initial TB employment clearance required.
• Due to the nature of this role and its support of participants impacted by substance use disorders (SUD), this position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing in accordance with organizational policies.

BENEFITS:

• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance (at no cost to you starting after 60 days).
• Retirement Plan with employer contributions at 2% of your annual salary.
• $100,000 life insurance (at no cost to you).
• Short and Long-Term Disability insurance (at no cost to you).
• 5 days of vacation time (at one-year anniversary).
  • Vacation will then accrue to 10 days vacation after completion of 2 years working at ACE and 15 days of vacation time after 5+ years of employment.
• 6 sick days a year.
• 15 paid holidays.

The anticipated pay range for candidates who will work in California is $31.35 to $33.85 hourly. The offered pay to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to years of experience within the job, years of experience within the required industry, education, etc.

Alliance for Community Empowerment provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.