Addiction Specialist

Title: Addiction Specialist (I-III)

Division: Project 180

Pay Scale: $25.24-$30.62/hour

Program: AB109/FSP (DMH)

The Organization SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high‑quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice‑involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre‑arrest interventions, court‑based diversions, jail in‑reach, and intensive post‑release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).

The Position The Addiction Specialist will work within an interdisciplinary team to provide substance support for mutual clients with a forensic background. This position reports to the DMH Program Supervisor and is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive treatment plans for clients in collaboration with both case manager and therapist, coordinating substance treatment services, and conducting individual and group sessions to assist with substance recovery.

A successful addiction specialist serves as a clinical expert on the treatment team, building strong relationships with clients and supporting them in making measurable progress toward individualized substance recovery goals. Job title (I‑III) to be established based on years of relevant experience.

• Actively engage clients in services through the development of strong rapport, consistent contact and use of motivational interviewing; provide outreach services as needed, meeting clients “where they are at” (service location, client’s point of view).
• Provide individual and group substance counseling to support clients in their individualized recovery goals, including but not limited to increasing safety, decreasing substance use and abstinence from substances.
• Facilitate weekly substance psycho educational groups.
• Deliver service consistent with ethical standards and a harm reduction, strength‑based, trauma‑informed framework.
• Conduct urine analysis tests as indicated by a client’s treatment plan.

• Develop and maintain partnerships with residential, sobering/detox centers for client referrals.
• Link clients to needed community resources to support substance recovery; monitor ongoing participation and facilitate problem solving to target barriers; accompany clients to linkage appointments when appropriate.
• Collaborate with external partners (e.g., DMH, DPH‑SAPC, probation, primary care clinics) to ensure high quality, integrated care; facilitate linkage to DPH‑SAPC as needed.

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings with residential sites, sobering/detox centers, housing staff, and probation.
• Contribute to planning and execution of clinical interventions in collaboration with the treatment team, leveraging unique skills and abilities of team members.

• Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record per program guidelines.
• Maintain and submit billing records per program guidelines.
• Participate in program data collection per program guidelines.
• Adhere to mandated reporting requirements.

• Regular attendance required; holiday or weekend work may be required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Maintain active license and/or registration as applicable (e.g., BBS, CCAPP).

• Clinical expertise: provides substance counseling with a focus on high‑quality service delivery.
• Empathetic and able to develop strong relationships with clients.
• Communication skills: clearly conveys information, builds rapport, and effectively engages with clients.
• Culturally competent: understands and is sensitive to diverse backgrounds and…