Substance Abuse Counselor (Student Services)

Job Description

The Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) delivers division-wide K-12 substance use prevention, screening, early intervention, and targeted case management within the Department of Student Services and Equity. The role operates at the secondary level for early and ongoing intervention and case management with elementary support focused on prevention. The SAC collaborates with school administrators, multidisciplinary teams, and community partners to advance student attendance, academic achievement, and social-emotional well-being. This 216 day, 11-month Licensed position reports to the Executive Director of Student Services.

Qualifications

• Education: A Bachelor's Degree; A Master’s Degree in counseling or related fields such as social work or psychology perferred
• Certificates and Licenses: A Valid Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) credential with eligibility for the Virginia CSAC or current National Addiction Counselor- I or II (NCAC) with eligibility for the Virginia CSAC credential.
• Experience:
• At least 3 years’ experience in a school or therapeutic setting working with adolescents in grades 9-12 preferred;
• Experience providing evidence based substance abuse assessment, intervention and case management experience with youth in grades 9-12; and
• Experience working with parents/caregivers of teens with substance abuse challenges. Substance abuse prevention and intervention program development experience preferred.
  

Essential Functions

• Develop substance abuse prevention and early intervention programming in coordination with multiple partners to include school multi-disciplinary, student support staff, ACPS Safety and Security Services, and community agencies to include the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), Alexandria Court Services Probation and the Alexandria Police Department.
• Assess students whose behaviors may indicate warning signs of substance use in collaboration with School Health Services and school administration..
• Coordinate referrals for students with dependence concerns, dual diagnoses (mental health and substance abuse concerns) with city agencies, in collaboration with the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) and public and private prevention and treatment providers.
• Collaborate with school and central office teams and families to assess, intervene and case manage students who have disciplinary infractions related to drugs and/or alcohol.
• Provide group counseling for students with family addiction issues and/or evidence of risk-taking behaviors in collaboration with families and guardians.
• Develop and deliver presentations on drugs, alcohol, decision-making and addiction to students, staff..
• Collaborate with school-based Student Support Team (SST) to conduct formal risk assessment for violence and suicide.
• Outreach to the student population through various prevention activities such as bulletin boards, national campaigns such as Red Ribbon Week and National Drug Facts Week.
• Maintain confidentiality, parent consent and secure legally mandated documentation in accordance with federal and state laws and school division policies and regulations.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the substance abuse program and contribute to the overall functioning of the department.
  
  

Compensation

• Step Placement and Salary for this position is determined by The ACPS Teachers and Other Licensed Staff Salary Scale
  
  

Clearances

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.
• Public Health Compliance - Must follow safety and health protocols.
  
  

WP