Alcohol and Drug Service Specialist

Full Job Description

SALARY
$36.36 - $43.59 Hourly
$75,618.40 - $90,663.04 Hourly
Bilingual Allowance, when applicable

Are you committed to supporting individuals on their path to recovery and wellness? County of Santa Barbara is seeking skilled and compassionate Alcohol and Drug Counselors to join our team as an Alcohol and Drug Service Specialist.

We are accepting applications to fill one (1) Full-Time Alcohol and Drug Service Specialists in Santa Maria for Behavioral Wellness and one (1) Limited Term** Full-Time, English/ Spanish Bilingual, Alcohol and Drug Service Specialists in Santa Maria at the County Health department.

The selected candidate may need to travel between different sites within Santa Barbara County.

NOTE: We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list that will be used to fill current and future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help and 1414* vacancies in multiple locations including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc.

Please select ALL departments and locations you would like to be considered for initial employment.

*CSR 1414 (Leave of Absence): This recruitment is to fill a position vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CSR 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave.

A person who is appointed to a position under CSR 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without reapplication or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

**Limited Term: The duration of this appointment is limited to a period not to exceed three (3) years; but is subject to annual review by the Commission to ensure the temporary or limited term nature of such appointment remains appropriate based on business operational needs and/or resources.

Visa Sponsorship: Please note this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or CLICK HERE to view more information.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate

The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and, at the discretion of the CEO, can provide flexible relocation assistance, housing and student loan offsets, cash incentives, and/or vacation and sick leave pre-accruals in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization.

NOTE: May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program, Perkins Loan Cancellation and/or National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).

THE POSITION: Under general direction, the Alcohol and Drug Services Specialist (ADSS) will work within a multidisciplinary team setting, providing treatment services to adults.

The candidate conducts screenings, addiction assessments, and treatment referrals to people with alcohol and other drug-related problems and/or co-occurring mental health conditions; develops and conducts alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and training programs; attend regular meetings and report on clients seen; and performs other duties as required.

THE DEPARTMENTS:

County Health (www.countyofsb.org/CHD):

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program: The Alcohol and Drug Services Specialist role is embedded within the primary care clinic and will support the MAT program.

This role focuses on assisting patients in recovery by regularly communicating with them, ensuring they attend appointments, connecting them to community recovery services, and providing ongoing support throughout the recovery process.

The specialist will work closely with addiction medicine physicians, Registered Nurses, Medical Assistants, and administrative staff to coordinate care and support patients’ recovery goals.

The patient population includes historically underserved communities, including Mixteco-speaking, Spanish-speaking, agricultural/field worker populations, people experiencing homelessness, and justice-involved individuals.

Bilingual skills in English/Spanish or English/Mixteco are highly preferred but not required. A strong background in substance use treatment is also preferred.

Behavioral Wellness (www.countyofsb.org/BWELL):

Alcohol and Drug Program: Behavioral Wellness is hiring for an Alcohol and Drug Services Specialist to provide services to the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) for the Coordinated Specialty Care First Episode Psychosis program in Santa Maria.

The ADSS works with an interdisciplinary team to serve youth ages 16-24 with severe mental illness.

Work is provided in office as well as in the community and in client homes.The Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) is a collaborative, recovery-oriented approach involving clients, treatment team members, and when appropriate, relatives, as active participants.

CSC emphasizes shared decision making as a means for addressing the unique needs, preferences, and recovery goals of individuals with FEP.

Collaborative treatment planning in CSC is a respectful and effective means for establishing a positive therapeutic alliance and maintaining engagement with clients and their family members over time.

CSC services are also highly coordinated with primary medical care, with a focus on optimizing a client’s overall mental and physical health.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Experience in an integrated healthcare setting;
• Passion for serving uninsured, under-insured, and low-income populations;
• Have familiarity with providing AOD related screenings, assessments, and interventions.
• Have experience with case management provisions, including placement and referral services, evaluation for support services, plan development, and coordination of interagency services, including collaboration with clinical staff.
• Work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Be flexible and have good time management.
• Have excellent conflict resolution skills.
• Have experience facilitating treatment services including individual sessions, group sessions, discharge planning and recovery services
• Understanding of Recovery Models in mental health;
• Training and experience in empirically supported treatments applicable to various patients and conditions in medical settings;
• Experience in structured quality improvement methods;
• Experience with Electronic Health Records;
• The ability to speak, read and write in Spanish and/or a Mixtec dialect (preferred).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Alcohol and Drug Service Specialist is a journey-level professional classification.

Selectees may be assigned to either program administration/prevention or treatment services assignments and may transfer between assignments.

However, selectees for and transferees to treatment services positions are required to register for an approved Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification (pursuant to the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs' Counselor Certification standards) upon assignment and to obtain certification within five years of appointment.

Incumbents in this class work within a system of interdisciplinary departmental teams and/or contract service agencies providing assessment, prevention, intervention, treatment, and related ancillary support services via an integrated service delivery system to people with alcohol and other drug-related problems, mental illness, and/or co-occurring conditions.

Requirements

Program Administration/Prevention Services:

• Develops, reviews, evaluates, and distributes educational materials to be used to increase individual, family, and community participation in local substance use programs and trainings; collects and evaluates data; organizes public awareness and involvement activities; and facilitates public meetings and conferences related to community alcohol and drug abuse.
  
• Conducts training and provides technical assistance to non-profits and public agencies regarding current practice in alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment, including community mobilization, use of individual screening and assessment tools, issue advocacy, and treatment engagement and retention strategies.
  
• Carries out community planning processes including data collection and analysis, determination of capacity, preparation of issue plans, implementation of research-based strategies, and evaluation of outcomes.
  
• Monitors contract service providers to ensure compliance with federal, state, and County regulations and guidelines; evaluates appropriateness and quality of prevention and treatment services provided by comparing performance to contractor guidelines; provides information and assistance to service providers and others about contract requirements; keeps records and prepares reports evaluating contract compliance and program effectiveness.
  
• Assists in the development of internal/external grant proposals under the direction of the Behavioral Wellness Service Coordinator or Behavioral Wellness Program Manager; assists in the request for proposal process by collecting and evaluating data toward the submission, release, and receipt of proposals and by answering questions about the process.
  
• Reviews new local, state, and federal legislation and modifies programs to reflect related mandates as directed.
  
• Program administration/prevention services staff may perform treatment services duties as a temporary assignment in order to satisfy the training and experience requirements for Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification.

Treatment Services:

• Conducts pre-placement screenings and addiction assessments for people with alcohol and other drug-related problems and/or co-occurring mental illness conditions.
  
• Conducts trainings for non-profit and public agencies regarding current practice in alcohol and other drug abuse treatment, including management of substance use by agency clientele, use of individual screening and assessment tools, client engagement and retention strategies, and treatment planning.
  
• Reviews client behaviors or indicators common to client success and premature failure; and recommends strength-based approaches that facilitate successful treatment outcomes.
  
• Refers clients to local treatment agencies and other related resources, follows-up to ensure treatment engagement, and participates in care coordination reviews.
  
• Evaluates the outcomes of client activity in- and post-treatment.
  
• Provides back-up coverage for other staff performing treatment services duties.
  
• May be assigned program administration services duties on a temporary basis.

Qualifications

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) listed below:

• Possession of a bachelor's degree in the health or social sciences or a closely related field AND two years of experience in an alcohol/or other drug abuse prevention or treatment services setting that included providing related services in at least two of the following areas: prevention, planning, education, intervention, screening, assessment, or administration; OR,
  
• Possession of a master's degree in the health or social sciences or a closely related field AND one year of experience in an alcohol/or other drug abuse prevention or treatment services setting that included providing related services in at least two of the following areas: prevention, planning, education, intervention, screening, assessment, or administration; OR,
  
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

NOTE: International degrees must include documentation from an evaluation service that shows the U.S. education equivalency along with unofficial transcripts at the time of application submittal. A list of evaluation services may be found at http://www.naces.org/members.html

Certification: Applicants are not required to be registered to obtain Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AOD) certification at time of application; however, selectees for Treatment Services appointments must register to obtain AOD certification (pursuant to the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs' Counselor Certification standards) upon appointment and obtain certification within five years as a condition of continued employment.

NOTE: Alcohol and Drug Service Specialists assigned to Program Administration/Prevention Services are not required to obtain AOD certification; however, AOD certification may be required for promotional opportunities.

Therefore, when feasible, Program Administration/Prevention Services incumbents will be allowed the opportunity to cross-train in Treatment Services in order to meet AOD certification training and experience requirement.

Driver's License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment for positions in this job class.

Knowledge of: survey methods and data collection techniques; teaching methods related to health education and disease prevention; learning styles of individuals and groups from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds; community resources for alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention, or treatment; alcohol and drug abuse screening, assessment, or community planning tools and processes; grant writing procedures; and standard English usage and grammar.

Ability to: research, compile, analyze, interpret, and disseminate information; develop, conduct, and evaluate educational and training programs; demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences as they relate to program/service delivery; prepare reports and maintain records; interpret regulations; evaluate compliance with prevention/treatment service provider contracts; establish and maintain working relationships with colleagues, contractors, clients, and community groups; communicate clearly and effectively in a variety of situations including public forums; and work within a collaborative environment.

Background Investigation: Finalists for positions in this class will be required to pass a pre-offer, job-related background investigation.

• Incumbents in this job class may be assigned to work with a variety of public and non-profit agencies; grassroots or organized community groups or coalitions; or substance-using populations (such as youth, youth groups and agencies, pregnant or parenting women, specific cultural or ethnic groups, people convicted of various non-violent alcohol or other drug offenses, people who have been diagnosed with AIDS or as HIV-positive, or staff of public-sector agencies).
• Fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal record check as authorized by Section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and Section 11105.3 of the California Penal Code may be required for some positions.

Bilingual Language:

Bilingual – Speaking, Reading, and Writing Preferred: The ability to converse, ready, and write fluently in English and Spanish is preferred.

Note: You must self-certify on your application that you are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency.

If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications that require bilingual skills, in accordance to Civil Service Rules.

Additional Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

Supplemental Questionnaire Rating. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored.

Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to these questions. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 12 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Rating to be placed on an employment list.

An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6.

Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months.

At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the examination, rank on the employment list, and duration of the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting.

We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

County of Santa Barbara Health (County Health) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy.

This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations.

A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

Background Investigation: Finalists for positions in this class will be required to pass a pre-offer, job-related background investigation.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.

Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance.

The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates.

The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 04/24/26 at 4:59 p.m. PST; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Farrah Medrano, County Health Talent Acquisition Lead – PHDRecruiter@sbcphd.org.