Substance Abuse Counselor II

* Salary listed is effective March 1, 2026. *

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur.
Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium . The current vacancy is Ukiah, CA.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Under general supervision, in either an adult or adolescent program, provides assessments, treatment planning, professional counseling and case management services for clients with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Coordinate care with other agencies and ensure documentation and reporting comply withing program standards.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Counsel clients, one-on-one or through group counseling sessions, to identify problems, provide strategies for resolution and/ or intervention in order to assist clients in reaching treatment goals.
• Provide case management; schedule appointments; screen and provide orientation to clients; respond to crisis calls; provide and/or facilitate therapeutic activities and group counseling sessions, programs, etc.
• Conduct assessments; make referrals; develop treatment plans; provide ongoing supportive counseling; document activities and maintain files;
  Serve as liaison with legal system, schools, organizations, parents, children, etc. on issues concerning clients.
• Maintain and provide safe environment for clients and staff.
• Write routine and non-routine reports, including treatment plans, progress notes, charts, closing and/or transfer summaries, using departmental software; sorting and summarizing pertinent material for inclusion in order to maintain records of client treatment progress.
• Attend team meetings to discuss client progress.
• Refer/enroll clients to related programs or services by identifying appropriate resources and assisting clients to accurately complete eligibility or financial applications.
• Administer client urinalysis testing by observing collection first-hand and accepting custody of specimen; deliver specimen to laboratory for analysis in order to protect the chain of custody and ensure accurate and valid test results.
• Enter and retrieve data into a computer system; use the computer system to create a variety of reports, progress notes, intake forms and other screening tools and documents.
• Transport clients by motor vehicle to and from therapeutic sessions and other treatment-related activities in order to facilitate the therapeutic process.
• Makes presentations to agencies regarding programs offered.
• Maintain and upgrade knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars, meetings and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications, including maintaining continued education units (CEU’s) for certification purposes.
• Provides substitute coverage when necessary.
• May provide training and mentoring to interns.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Pattern 1: Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited four-year (4) college or university with a major in Alcohol and other Drug (AOD)
Treatment, social/human services, sociology, or other social or behavioral science and an AOD Certificate from a State Approved Certification program.

Pattern 2: AOD Certificate of Achievement from an accredited college or university and certified with a State approved AOD Certification program; and two (2) year experience in a substance abuse internship program or providing substance abuse counseling

Substitution: Two (2) years of full-time experience performing professional level AOD counseling in a treatment facility may be substituted for the education requirement.

Applicant must be certified with a State Approved AOD Certification organization pursuant to California Code of Regulations,…