Alcohol and Drug Treatment Specialist I/II/III
Salary:
$35,838.40 - $71,385.60 Annually
Under supervision (I) or general direction (II/III) performs educational and counseling services for clients with alcohol and/or other drug problems and performs other related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This three-level series is characterized by the responsibility for counseling, educating and developing treatment plans for individuals and small groups.
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Specialist I is the entry level in which incumbents gain intake, assessment, treatment planning and counseling skills and demonstrate requisite competencies for advancement to the journey level.
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Specialist II is the journey level in which incumbents provide the full scope of counseling and treatment services and may have supervisory duties.
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Specialist III is the lead level and highest in this classification series. Incumbents provide supervision to subordinate staff within their programs and/or divisions and assist the clinic administrator with program operations.
APPROXIMATE SALARIES
ADTS I: $17.23 - $24.09 / hour
ADTS II: $20.70 - $28.98 / hour
ADTS III: $24.49 - $34.32 / hour
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.
BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending on the applicable memorandum of agreement and the needs of the department. In order to qualify for this incentive, incumbents in eligible positions must take and pass the applicable bilingual fluency examination.
AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency – Behavioral Health
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Specialist I/II/III are represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra-Help vacancies within the Health Care Agency. There are currently ten (10) Regular vacancies.
NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: 1/5/2022
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Conducts intake interviews, assessments, one-on-one counseling, teaches education classes, and leads small groups;
- Makes presentations to alcohol and other drug dependent clients and their families as well as to community groups and other agencies;
- Develops recovery and treatment plans, makes referrals, and participates in clinical staff meetings;
- Provides case management and data/record management; and
- Performs other related duties as required.
In addition to the above duties, the ADTS II duties may include:
- Conducts individual, group, and family counseling to alcohol and other drug dependent clients and their families;
- Performs client intake and discharge processes and prepares and administers individual recovery/treatment programs; refers clients to appropriate social services;
- Provides educational presentations on alcohol and other drug abuse to community groups and other agencies;
- Maintains client records and data management;
- May provide supervision of other staff, volunteers or students; and
- Performs other related duties as required.
In addition to the above duties, the ADTS III duties may include:
- Assists the program manager or clinic administrator with planning, coordinating, and scheduling the work of program staff to deliver treatment services to target populations;
- Assists the program manager or clinic administrator with planning and development of treatment services to specific needs groups;
- Provides instruction to subordinates and makes decisions regarding operational problems which arise in the course of work;
- Establishes work priorities and assignments within the work group for subordinates;
- Monitors and evaluates client participation in treatment programs;
- Prepares statistical and fiscal reports as needed by the program coordinator, division manager, or department administration;
- Evaluates program content and collects and analyzes data to determine program effectiveness;
- Works as a liaison to the Courts and other County departments and agencies to coordinate a continuum of service;
- Trains staff in program policies and procedures; and
- Performs other related duties as required.
Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:
ADTS I: One (1) year of experience in the field of alcohol and other drug abuse treatment or prevention or its equivalent OR 30 semester units of college experience in Alcohol and Drug studies OR a Bachelor's degree in social science, human services, or other closely-related field combined with experience in the area of human services.
ADTS II: Two (2) years of experience related to alcohol and other drug abuse counseling.
ADTS III: Five (5) years of experience related to alcohol and other drug abuse counseling, one (1) year of which must include responsibilities equivalent to those of the Alcohol and Drug Treatment Specialist II classification.; AND
Alcohol and Drug Counseling certification from the State of California Department of Health Care Services approved certifying organization.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: In accordance with Health Care Services Section 11833(b)(1), incumbents in these job classifications who do not hold Substance Use Disorder Certification and are not considered a "licensed professional" per section 13015(a)*, must be registered with a Department of Health Care Services approved certifying organization. Currently there are three (3) approved certifying agencies: California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE); California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP); and California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP).
All registered incumbents are required to complete certification as a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) counselor within five (5) years from the date of initial registration with any DHCS approved certifying organizations and maintain valid certification as a condition of continued employment.
All "licensed professional" incumbents are not required to be certified but must remain "in good standing" with their respective licensing agency as a condition of continued employment.
*Section 13015(a) defines a "licensed professional" as: a physician licensed by the Medical Board of California; a psychologist licensed by the Board of Psychology; 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.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
This position may be subject to State Health Officer Orders regarding vaccine verification and/or testing. These requirements are a condition of employment. Depending on assignment and work location(s), successful candidates for this position will be required to submit proof of vaccination and/or booster against COVID-19 or request an exemption for qualifying medical or religious reasons during the onboarding process.
DESIRED:
- Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certification from a State of California Department of Health Care Services approved certifying organization.
- Bi-lingual (English/Spanish).
- (For ADTS III) Possession of a Master's degree in Psychology or another human services/social science, such as education, sociology, or social work, with licensure. One year of supervisory experience in alcohol and other drug programming or related human services.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Working knowledge of: counseling and recovery interventions with persons presenting problems with alcohol and other drug use and abuse; interviewing techniques; community resources, including mental health and social services agencies; ability to interact with other agencies and services, and maintain a professional ethical code, including client/counselor relationship.
Working ability to: perform intake, assessment and discharge processes; some ability to acquire knowledge of laws applicable to specific programs; conduct individual and group counseling; maintain records; present educational programs; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and maintain client confidentiality and a professional ethical code, including client/counselor relationship.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at https://hr.ventura.org. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) for additional information.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire will result in the application being removed from consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION – qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related written examination will be administered to test candidates' knowledge of alcohol/drug knowledge, counseling, and regulations/compliance. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of six (6) months.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Tamara Madueno by e-mail at tamara.madueno@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 677-5313.