Job Details

Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor II

Grow your career and make a difference in your community as an Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor II with the County of Sonoma! Starting salary up to $52.94/hour ($110,492/year) and a competitive total compensation package!

The Department of Health Services is looking for an Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) Counselor to work in their Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Program. The DUI Program works with the Court to provide services to first-time and repeat offenders. The DUI Program is a state-mandated service governed by Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations, which requires ongoing compliance monitoring. The AODS Counselors in the DUI program provide case management, counseling, education, and evaluations to individuals, groups, and families participating in the program. This work involves screening and assessing clients, maintaining excellent documentation, preparing court and client program reports, and providing diversion services. In addition, AODS Counselors will work with the DMV to ensure clients meet program requirements, provide referrals as needed, and regularly audit files, documentation, and caseloads.

As the ideal candidate for this position, you will have a passion for this field of work and a genuine dedication to being an AODS Counselor, which enhances empathy and understanding when working with your clients. In addition, you will possess many of the following:

• The ability to use ethical and professional judgment when working with DUI cases and client needs
• A general understanding of relevant local, state, and federal laws and regulations
• Excellent active listening skills, along with strong professional communication skills
• Cultural competence and the ability to engage with diverse populations
• Experience with motivational interviewing, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and crisis intervention
• The proven ability to maintain healthy boundaries and adhere to high ethical standards
• Intellectual curiosity and commitment to ongoing professional development, including staying informed on current trends and treatment methodologies
• English/Spanish bilingual fluency (highly desired but not required)

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Bilingual Premium Pay* - An additional $1.15/1.50/hour on top of the hourly pay rate for basic/fluent bilingual positions
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals and 12 paid holidays
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Engineers and Scientists of California Memorandum of Understanding (ESC MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

The Department of Health Services is currently recruiting to fill an Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor position at either the I or II levels. This Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor II employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be either:

Two years of experience equivalent to the Sonoma County class of Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor I with responsibilities involving alcohol and drug treatment and education programs that directly relate to the knowledge and skills listed above and academic coursework in sociology, psychology, alcohol and other drug services and other closely related fields.

OR

One year of experience equivalent to the Sonoma County class of Alcohol and Other Drug Services Counselor II with responsibilities involving alcohol and other drug treatment and education programs and possession of a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, alcohol and other services drug treatment or other closely related fields.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised in this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Special Qualification: All employees of this class must register, obtain, and maintain a Counselor Certification as defined by the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 8: Certification of Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors. Upon appointment to this class, employees will have six months to register and five years to obtain Certification from an ADP approved certifying organization whose curriculum includes a minimum of 240 hours of formal classroom training. Human Resources will waive the Counselor Certification requirement for licensed professionals (or registered interns) who successfully pass a written examination similar to that administered for Certification. This examination will be administered by the Sonoma County Human Resources Department, and will be designed to measure those areas included in the curriculum required for certification.

Due to regulatory changes, California Health and Safety Code Section 11833(b)(1) requires that any individual who provides counseling services in a licensed or certified AODS program, except for licensed professionals*, must be registered or certified with an organization approved by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Individuals must be licensed, registered, or certified to be eligible for employment. A list of approved certification agencies recognized by the DHCS may be found at the following site:

* Licensed professionals include a physician licensed by the Medical Board of California; or a psychologist licensed by the Board of Psychology; or a clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, or an intern registered with the California Board of Psychology or the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Additional Special Qualification: Some positions may require the ability to fluently speak and write a language other than English.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: the needs, problems, attitudes and behavior problems of the alcohol and drug abusing person; modern methods of diagnosing and treating persons who abuse alcohol and drugs; basic principles of individual and group behavior; socio-economic, environmental, and cultural factors affecting the behavior of alcohol and drug abusing persons; principles and techniques of group, family and individual counseling; laws, rules, regulations and department policies related to client confidentiality; counseling techniques related to the treatment of alcohol and other drug abusing clients; services and resources provided through other governmental agencies and community-based organizations.

Knowledge of: County program policies and procedures; court procedures and etiquette; County, State and Federal laws governing public alcohol and other drug abuse programs; community organizations involved in alcohol and other drug abuse programs; principles of supervision; effective personnel practices including recognition, performance evaluation, and progressive discipline; principles and techniques of employee training.

Ability to: oversee and coordinate the work of other staff; train, develop and lead staff; understand and apply County alcohol and other drug program policies and procedures; provide consultative services in complex situations involving behavioral and physiological conditions of the alcohol/drug client; evaluate the behavioral and physiological conditions of the alcohol/drug client; coordinate the delivery of alcohol and other drug abuse services; analyze situation accurately and adopt an effective course of action; recognize problems which call for the use of public and private community resources; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; effectively listen, mediate and resolve complaints; read, interpret, apply