Substance Abuse Counselor​/Emergency Appointments Homelessness

Overview

Filing Dates

First Day of Filing:
April 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time)

This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice

Exam Number

b5884J-EA

This announcement is a re-bulletin to reopen the filing period.

OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

The Department of Mental Health is seeking qualified candidates for emergency Substance Abuse Counselor vacancies related to homelessness. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. Before the end of the initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance (weighted 100%).

Those who pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment.

• Conducts interviews of clients/patients and/or their family members to obtain family, social, medical, work, and mental health histories.
• Participates with the treatment team in developing, implementing, and evaluating treatment or therapy approaches for patients/clients, family members, and significant others in all phases of substance abuse and/or mental health treatment programs.
• Counsels patients/clients to prevent relapses by assisting them in recognizing causal factors of substance abuse/mental illness and in developing coping behaviors.
• Counsels patients/clients regarding community resources or treatment services available to help prevent or cope with relapses.
• Assists senior-level counselors in complex areas of social and psychological adjustment counseling.
• Maintains follow-up with previously discharged persons; completes records on follow-up activities.
• Participates in educational activities and in treatment/rehabilitation centers to improve knowledge of substance abuse and mental health topics.
• Develops and promotes interest in the substance abuse and/or mental health fields by speaking before community groups or coordinating speakers or resources.
• Monitors and documents client/patient progress in recovery.
• Assists in the supervision of aides or trainees and in recruitment, selection, and training of program staff, as needed.
• Assist with on-call duties, as needed.

One year of experience in a substance abuse program with experience providing physical assessment of patients, counseling of individuals, families and groups, and documentation.

-OR-

One year of training at the level of Substance Abuse Counselor Aid in a substance abuse counselor training program.

-OR-

Completion of 60 semester units or equivalent quarter units in an accredited college or university with specialization in substance abuse counseling, social work, psychology, sociology, or human services.

You MUST meet one of the above requirement(s) within three (3) months of filing in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

• Substance Abuse Counselor Aid is defined as participates as a trainee in a substance abuse or mental health services program designed for the prevention of substance abuse and the treatment of rehabilitation patients and mental health clients with substance abuse problems.

Candidates may file for this examination if they are within three months of meeting the experience requirements by the last day of filing. However, the names of such candidates will be withheld until the required experience is fully met.

License
: A 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.

Physical Class
:
Physical Class II – Light: administrative/clerical with light physical effort, occasional lifting to 10 pounds, some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

• Special Requirements Information

• ACCREDITATION:
  Accredited institutions are those listed in the publications of regional, national or international accrediting agencies. Degrees evaluated and deemed equivalent by a credential evaluation agency recognized by NACES or AICE are also acceptable.

Transcript information: A legible copy of official diploma or official transcripts showing area of specialization must be included with your application at filing or within 15 calendar days. Official transcripts bear the college seal and state “official and/or copy.” A printout from a school's website is NOT official.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. Before the end of your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance (weighted 100%). Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment.

Applicants are required to complete and submit an online Los Angeles County Employment Application and…