Substance Abuse Counselor (TLS)

Company Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

Job Description

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) Counselor provides direct client support as part of a housing stabilization team. In collaboration with social service professionals, the SUD counselor emphasizes harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and client-centered support to promote recovery and stability. The SUD Counselor helps clients overcome barriers to care, achieve greater stability, and ultimately maintain permanent housing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Substance Abuse Counselor’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Implement case management service plan goals emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, and any other risk factors that could impede client’s functioning.
• Provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goals.
• Utilize a harm reduction, trauma informed cared, and client-centered support when working with clients.

Essential Duties:

• Develop individualized support plans in collaboration with the client and care team.
• Provide ongoing case management services and relapse prevention planning tailored to each client’s stage of recovery; 1:1 client meetings should take place at least once per week to monitor progress, adjust treatment goals, and maintain engagement in services.
• Collaborate regularly and participate in internal case conferencing meetings to ensure holistic, integrated care.
• Coordinate referrals to detox, residential treatment programs, outpatient services, and other community resources
• Provide linkage to meaningful community activities to help decrease social isolation and prevent relapse risks.
• Respond to urgent requests for assistance from clients as needed.
• Perform daily follow-ups and wellness checks on clients engaged in SUD services.
• Participate in all meetings with collaborative agencies and other community meetings as directed.
• Cultivate relationships with substance abuse treatment providers in the service area.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle to perform the essential functions of the position, which includes transporting clients in company vehicles.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be highly motivated, a self-starter, and able to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with a diverse population, including clients, staff, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple priorities.
• Strong understanding of how to work with low-income and homeless individuals, including sensitivity to the challenges they face.
• Solid knowledge of and experience working within a harm reduction framework, as well as familiarity with Housing First principles.
• Proficient in applying evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Critical Time Intervention (CTI), and trauma-informed care.
• Effective crisis management and de-escalation skills, with the ability to respond calmly and appropriately to challenging situations.
• Demonstrated professionalism, including cooperative behavior, team collaboration, and always maintaining a professional appearance.
• Strong knowledge of homeless services systems, behavioral health resources, and recovery support networks in the local area.

Experience:

• One or more years providing chemical dependency counseling (supervised internship applies).
• Experience working with individuals receiving services for mental health, homelessness and/or substance use. 
• Experience and general knowledge of working with individuals who, may be mentally ill, HIV positive, and/or have chemical dependency issues is highly desired.  

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in social work, human services or a related field.

Direct Reports:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. 

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to use widely supported internet browsers
• Ability to accurately enter data into appropriate databases

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Current and active CADC or CAADE certification
• Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Valid automobile liability insurance

Travel Requirements:

• Travel to other SJC sites, transport clients as needed

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders; use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls. The employee may be required on occasion to lift and/or carry up to 20 lbs.

Additional Information

Benefits: Excellent Benefits package available.

   Status: Full time/Non-exempt

 At St. Joseph Center, pay ranges are set using the best available market data for the job at the required location. To determine salary for a candidate, we consider the candidate's skills and capabilities for the job compared with expectations for the position.

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

 https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf