Substance Abuse Counselor - JIR-DHS

Amity Foundation, internationally acclaimed teaching, and therapeutic community is seeking compassionate and enthusiastic individuals with a desire to teach, learn and join our community as a Substance Abuse Counselor this groundbreaking opportunity not only will allow you to work with our prison programs helping the re-entry population, but will also enhance your training and experience in the field.

About Amity

Amity Foundation is a safe place where people can change in an environment that fosters trust; where new values can be formed; responsibility developed and lasting relationships built.

Amity is dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of people marginalized by addiction, homelessness, trauma, criminality, incarceration, poverty, racism, sexism, and violence. Amity is committed to research, development implementation, and dissemination of information regarding community building.

Remembrance, Resolution, Reconciliation, Restoration, Renewal

Job Summary

The Substance Abuse Counselor is responsible for the delivery of face-to-face transformative and insight-oriented programming services provided. This position is responsible for administering pre- and post- assessments with students and complete fidelity assurance instruments to inform reporting and assess impact of the program.

Essential Duties

Utilize a contingency management framework to address illicit stimulant use through an evidence-based incentive system designed to promote engagement in healthy behaviors and reduce illicit stimulant use.

Lead and participate in face-to-face group and individual meetings, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and other therapeutic processes.

Works directly with participants to consider benefits of treatment and embrace readiness for personal change.

Facilitate on-site client testing for illicit stimulants through urine drug screens twice weekly for accurate monitoring.

Prepare accurate, concise, informative reports, records and plans that are consistent with Amity standards, and comply with applicable clinical and administrative rules.

Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential participant records. Evaluates and documents the progress of participants assigned to their groups.

Completes all delivery documentation requirements per contractual obligations. Summarizes participants’ background, treatment plan, and recovery process outcomes.

Prepares accurate, concise, informative reports, records and plans that are consistent with Amity standards, and complies with applicable clinical and administrative rules.

Works collaboratively with Office of Diversion and Reentry staff. Supports and collaborates co-faculty, including but not limited to Supervisors, Directors, and Regional Directors

• Participate in County’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel.
• Participate in additional training as required by the position.
• Attend workshops, meetings, and training as requested by supervisor.
• May serve as Community Advocate role in addition to job as requested by community leadership.
• Required to use company vehicles as well as personal vehicles to visit clients and other locations as needed.
• Required to have car insurance, vehicle, and valid driver’s license.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Required:

A Master’s Degree in a social service-related field and registered with an AOD certifying organization recognized by DHCS; OR A Bachelor’s Degree in a social service-related field, AOD certified, and one (1) year of experience providing SUDT services as a certified AOD Counselor; OR An Associate’s Degree in a social service-related field, AOD certified, and three (3) years of experience providing SUDT services as a certified AOD Counselor; OR AOD certified and more than five (5) years of experience providing SUDT services as a certified AOD Counselor.

Valid driver’s license and vehicle registration

Preferred

NONE

Certifications or Licenses

Required:

Certified as an AOD Counselor by a certifying organization approved by DHCS, OR Provide monthly, documented proof of meaningful progress toward AOD certification and compliance with an approved individual training and development plan which does not exceed twenty-four (24) months to complete.

Preferred: NONE

Skills/Abilities

• Operational knowledge of MS-Word, Excel, and Access.
• Excellent interpersonal, written communications, documentation, and typing skills.

Understanding of causes, symptoms, and effects of substance abuse; appreciation for the behavioral, psychological, physical and social effects of drug abuse.

Ability to maintain sensitivity and objectivity under pressures generated by association with substance abuse treatment participants.

Ability to provide genuine warmth, empathy, and honest sensitivity to program participants to facilitate positive change.

Ability to provide program participants with frequent acknowledgment and reinforcement for positive behaviors, as well as consistent and predictable feedback for negative behaviors.

Ability to develop a treatment alliance with participants.

Ensure that excellence and integrity are applied to professional responsibilities in order to provide optimal services to participants.

Understand and appropriately apply Amity policies and procedures and adhere to agency-wide practices and regulations.

Demonstrate ethical behavior in order to maintain professional standards and safeguard the participant.

Protect and maintain program participants’ health, safety, welfare, and confidentiality of records and participant information.

Demonstrate proper attitudes and techniques towards faculty, institution staff, and program participants and model professionalism, effective work habits and responsible living.

• Understanding of the use program curriculum, objectives, and best practices for implementation.
• Ability to understand and implement the contractual requirements of Innovative Programming Grant is essential.

ADA Information

Physical Requirements:

Occasionally adjusts or moves objects up to 50lbs. in all directions.

• Constantly remains in a stationary position often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Repeats motions that may include the wrists, hands and / or fingers.
• Constantly moves from one work yard to another daily.
• Frequently walks on hard or uneven surfaces.
• Required to communicate verbally and in written form.
• Uses all types of vision, such as close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, to complete daily tasks.
• Assesses the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Occasionally required to climb, bend, stretch, reach or stoop.
• Required to wear comfortable and location appropriate clothing and shoes.

Mental Demands

• Ability to change directions as a priorities shift.
• Ability to thrive in environment that require the ability to adapt to changing circumstances,
• Ability to cope with occasionally difficult or temperamental students and faculty.
• Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress related to the position.

Work Conditions

• Generally, in an indoor setting.
• Occasionally works in outdoor elements such as precipitation, snow and wind.
• Work is in an incarcerated setting.

Environmental Conditions

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but can be loud.
• The temperature in the work environment is generally moderate however can range from hot to cold seasonally.

Seldom may be exposed to non-lethal chemical agents as administered in necessary use of force security instances.

Travel: Travels locally and operates motor vehicles.

$60,000 - $65,000 a year

Note: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and work responsibilities of the position. It is not possible or desirable to commit every detailed aspect of each job to a written description.

This job description and the duties of this position are subject to change, modification, and addition as deemed necessary by the company. Job descriptions alone cannot be used as an argument to refuse work assignments.

Faculty are required to comply with supervisory instructions and perform other job duties, responsibilities and assignments required by company officials. This job description does not constitute an employment contract between the company and any employee.

The job responsibilities of this position may include cross-training in other functions to ensure satisfactory operation.

I have read the above job description, understand its contents, and have had an opportunity to discuss with my supervisor or the hiring manager. By signing below, I agree and understand what is expected of me, and will comply with all requirements of this position.