Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Abuse Counselor

Salary

$81,916.73 - $99,570.29 Annually

Location

Contra Costa County, CA

Job Type

Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

VHVC-2026A

Department

Health Services - Only

Opening Date

07/16/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

TC

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is offering a rewarding opportunity for qualified, compassionate, and dedicated Substance Abuse Counselors who are committed to helping those impacted by addiction. Substance Abuse Counselors work at the Alcohol and Other Drugs Unit within the Behavioral Health Division, which includes programs such as A3 Crisis Response, Forensic Mental Health, residential/outpatient services and detention facilities.

The candidates selected will play a pivotal role in a variety of counseling and prevention activities targeted at individuals, groups, and families who are currently experiencing or are at high risk of problems related to substance abuse.

As a Substance Abuse Counselor, you will have the opportunity to build upon a purpose-driven career, work in diverse programs, and have a direct and tangible impact on the community you serve.

We are looking for someone who has:

• the ability to use provide counseling and related family counseling and education
• the ability to communicate effectively with people experiencing anxiety, stress and depression
• knowledge of the current substance abuse methods and techniques of individual and group counseling

Characteristics of the ideal candidate:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Acknowledge and respect cultural and linguistic differences of the Countys diverse population

To read the complete job description, please click here. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to 6 months.

Typical Tasks

• Interviews applicants to determine appropriateness for program services
• Conducts intake assessments to determine client problems and appropriate course of action
• Orients clients on program requirements
• Provides substance abuse counseling to individuals, families and groups
• Conducts group education programs
• Provides crisis intervention and counseling
• Develops recovery plans and makes referrals to appropriate service providers
• Represents the division to the community through outreach activities and educational programs
• Maintains client case records and does technical client charting
• Participates in meetings, committees and training
• Plans, schedules and implements clients daily work, counseling and recreational activities
• Monitors client files
• Prepares reports for other agencies as required
• Monitors ongoing treatment
• Develops aftercare plans and provides client follow-up
• Provides and promotes excellent customer service for all internal and external customers

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Candidates must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operators License. Out of State valid Motor Vehicle Operators License will be accepted during the application process.

Certification Required: Candidates must possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor issued by a certifying agency approved by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

Education: Successful completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university which included at least 12 semester or 15 quarter units in psychology, sociology, counseling, or chemical dependency.

Experience: One (1) year of full-time experience, or its equivalent, counseling persons in a substance abuse program or one (1) year of experience as a Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee in Contra Costa County.

Substitution for Education: Additional qualifying experience of the type noted above may be substituted for the required completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units of education on a year-for-year basis. No substitution is allowed for the required 12 semester or 15 quarter units of specialized coursework.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: A background investigation/fingerprint and/or physical exam may be required prior to the start of employment.

Selection Process

1. Application Filing: All applicants must apply on-line at www.cccounty.us/hr and submit the information as indicated on the job announcement by the final filing date. A completed supplemental questionnaire is required at the time of applying.

2. Application Evaluation: Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be convened to evaluate and select the best-qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination.

3. Training and Experience Evaluation: Consists of an evaluation of each candidates relevant education, training and/or experience as presented on the application and supplemental questionnaire. (Weighted 100%).

4. Candidates must receive a score of at least 70, which may be an adjusted score, in order to be ranked on the employment list.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

01

The purpose of this supplemental questionnaire is to provide applicants the opportunity to elaborate on their qualifications for this position and to assist in assessing each applicants individual qualifications. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire will be used to evaluate your relevant experience and training to determine which applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. I read and understand the above instructions.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you certified as an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor issued by a certifying agency approved by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)?

• Yes
• No

03

Please describe your qualifying experience related to substance abuse counseling.

• I have at least one (1) year of full-time experience counseling individuals in a substance abuse program.
• I have at least one (1) year of experience as a Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee specifically within Contra Costa County.
• I do not possess this experience.

04

Have you completed 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university which included at least 12 semester or 15 quarter units in psychology, sociology, counseling, or chemical dependency?

• Yes, I meet the educational requirement and have attached my transcripts.
• No, I do not have 30 semester/45 quarter units, but I possess the required 12 semester/15 quarter units in the specified coursework (psychology, sociology, counseling, or chemical dependency) and am substituting the remainder of the unit requirement with at least one year of qualifying professional experience.
• No, I do not possess this education.

05

How many years of experience do you have utilizing an evidence-based curricula in a substance use disorder treatment setting?

• I do not have any experience as described.
• Less than one (1) year of experience as described.
• One (1) year or more, but less than two (2) years, of experience as described.
• Two (2) years or more, but less than three (3) years, of experience as described.
• Three (3) years or more, but less than four (4) years, of experience as described.
• Four (4) years or more, but less than five (5) years, of experience as described.
• Five (5) years or more of experience as described.

06

How many years of experience do you have doing field-based assertive treatment with special client populations?

• I do not have any experience as described.
• Less than one (1) year of experience as described.
• One (1) year or more, but less than two (2) years, of experience as described.
• Two (2) years or more, but less than three (3) years, of experience as described.
• Three (3) years or more, but less than four (4) years, of experience as described.
• Four (4) years or more, but less than five (5) years, of experience as described.
• Five (5) years or more of experience as described.

07

How many years of experience do you have working within a licensed Drug Medi-Cal Substance Use Disorder treatment program?

• I do not have any experience as described.
• Less than one (1) year of experience as described.
• One (1) year or more, but less than two (2) years, of experience as described.
• Two (2) years or more, but less than three (3) years, of experience as described.
• Three (3) years or more, but less than four (4) years, of experience as described.
• Four (4) years or more, but less than five (5) years, of experience as described.
• Five (5) years or more of experience as described.

08

How many years of experience do you have utilizing tools and clinical strategies to support the needs of clients with co-occurring disorders to help them progress in their SUD treatment?

• I do not have any experience as described.
• Less than one (1) year of experience as described.
• One (1) year or more, but less than two (2) years, of experience as described.
• Two (2) years or more, but less than three (3) years, of experience as described.
• Three (3) years or more, but less than four (4) years, of experience as described.
• Four (4) years or more, but less than five (5) years, of experience as described.
• Five (5) years or more of experience as described.

09

How many years of experience do you have utilizing clinical benchmarks and ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) criteria to determine when a client is ready to transition to a different level of care?

• I do not have any experience as described.
• Less than one (1) year of experience as described.
• One (1) year or more, but less than two (2) years, of experience as described.
• Two (2) years or more, but less than three (3) years, of experience as described.
• Three (3) years or more, but less than four (4) years, of experience as described.
• Four (4) years or more, but less than five (5) years, of experience as described.
• Five (5) years or more of experience as described.

10

How many years of experience do you have working with clients taking federally approved medications for Opioid and Alcohol use disorders?

• I do not have any experience as described.
• Less than one (1) year of experience as described.
• One (1) year or more, but less than two (2) years, of experience as described.
• Two (2) years or more, but less than three (3) years, of experience as described.
• Three (3) years or more, but less than four (4) years, of experience as described.
• Four (4) years or more, but less than five (5) years, of experience as described.
• Five (5) years or more of experience as described.

11

Yes, I certify that I meet the announced requirements for this examination and understand that I will be eliminated at any stage in such examination if it develops that, in fact I do not meet them. I further certify that all statements made in this supplemental questionnaire and the application are true and I agree and understand that misstatements or omissions of material fact s will cause forfeiture of my rights to employment with Contra Costa County.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of Contra Costa

Phone exams@cchealth.org