Alcohol and Drug Specialist

The primary role of the Alcohol & Drug (A/D) Specialist is to provide low barrier, harm reduction focused supports to homeless youth (aged 16-25).  The A/D Specialist will work with a team to engage youth at many different stages of change, facing a variety of challenging experiences. The ROSE Team believes in involving youth in their own decisions by utilizing creative engagement strategies and innovative approaches. ROSE staff emphasize strengths-based practices and the practice of meeting young people where they’re at. This work is grounded in harm reduction and trauma informed care principles, which center youth as the experts in their lives. It emphasizes culturally responsive approaches, understanding the impacts of trauma, and approaching work with empathy. 

Available to work Monday-Friday schedule, with sporadic evening hours during crisis.

Essential Duties

• Establish supportive, caring, and professional working relationships with youth. 

• Provide recovery supports in the spaces where youth engage, including the day programs, to build rapport and share information.  

• Work with the ROSE team to ensure regular recovery and/or recreation groups are provided, both onsite and offsite.  

• Complete Substance Use Assessments. 

• Provide substance use and co-occurring disorders supports, both individually and in groups. 

• Participate in crisis intervention and de-escalation, which may include limited after-hours work. 

• Provide recovery navigation services. 

• Establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with other Outside In and community treatment/service providers. 

• Provide advocacy and assist youth in accessing services and other treatment resources 

• Support youth to explore community based groups  (i.e. recovery community support groups, AA/NA, LGBTQ support groups, spiritual support, etc.). 

• Establish professional and collaborative working relationships with Case Managers, Mental Health Care (including psychiatric) providers, Primary Care Physicians and other practitioners working with homeless youth.   

• Provide support to Peer Mentor staff. 

• Assist in providing training and information on SUD topics to Peer Mentors and other Homeless Youth Continuum staff. 

• Meet youth in various locations when appropriate, such as camps, hospitals, jail, coffee shops, housing, etc.  

• Advocate for youth with external entities, such as probation officers, hospital social workers, DHS workers, etc. 

• Ensure timely, thorough documentation in an electronic health record.

Knowledge

• Solid understanding and commitment to the principles of Harm Reduction. 

• Knowledge of adolescent development, trauma-informed care, stages of change theory, harm reduction and motivational interviewing. 

• Ability to be responsive and supportive to youth experiencing suicidality. 

• Understanding of the peer model 

Skills

• Ability to demonstrate unconditional positive regard for youth even when it’s challenging. 

• Comfort spending time with youth who are currently substance effected. 

• Consistent demonstration of boundaries and ethics in all client interactions. 

• Basic counseling skills. 

• Good communication and conflict resolution skills. 

Education  Experience

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC1) credential preferred; 

• Ability to become certified CADC1 required within six months, required.

• At least 2 years experience working with homeless populations and/or at-risk youth. 

Desired but Not Required

• Valid driver’s license preferred

• CADC I or better preferred

Working Conditions

This job includes working in a standard office environment as well as a drop-in program and may include a variety of community locations to support program activities. This means that the employee will meet with participants in community locations which may include the DMV, TriMet office, and other surrounding community settings.

Physical Requirements 

This job requires operating phones, computers, and other office equipment. Communicating is required on a regular basis. Moving inside the building to other offices and program delivery spaces as well as moving to surrounding sites is expected. Sporadically moves boxes and/or items weighing up to 10 pounds. Travel within the service area is expected.

Salary : $27 - $29