USAJOBS - Job Announcement Skip to main content
An official website of the United States government
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
MENU
Sign in
My jobs
Profile
Resumes & documents
Search preferences
Notifications
Sign out
My jobs
Profile
Resumes & documents
Notifications
Search preferences
Sign out
Events
Help Center
Search
Back to results
Apply
Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) Counselor
Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Apply
Share
Save
Summary
The purpose of this position is to provide quality chemical dependency counseling to youth ages 12 to 17 years of age with substance use/chemical dependency/co-occurring problems. Serves actively and constructively as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team, supports the organization and program philosophy of care; ensures the safety and well-being of each resident. The incumbent reports to the Clinical Director of Sacred Oaks Healing Center.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
The purpose of this position is to provide quality chemical dependency counseling to youth ages 12 to 17 years of age with substance use/chemical dependency/co-occurring problems. Serves actively and constructively as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team, supports the organization and program philosophy of care; ensures the safety and well-being of each resident. The incumbent reports to the Clinical Director of Sacred Oaks Healing Center.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/01/2026 to 04/10/2026
Salary $82,780 - $107,620 per year Pay scale & grade GS 11
Location
Davis, CA
3 vacancies
Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required Not required Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes-You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Full-time Service Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status No Security clearance Other Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure No Bargaining unit status No
Announcement number IHS-26-CA-12910923-ESEP/MP Control number 863577400
This job is open to
Help
Federal employees - Competitive service
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Managements hiring rules and pay scales.
Federal employees - Excepted service
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Land and base management
Current or former employees of a base management agency.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Military spouses
Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.
National Guard and reserves
Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Native Americans
Native Americans or Alaskan Natives with a tribal affiliation.
Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Clarification from the agency
The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interiors definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3.
Videos
Duties
Help
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
Must pass pre-employment examination.
Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
Position subject to rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends and/or holiday coverages.
This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
BASIC REQUIREMENT:
Degree: Behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position;
or combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field;
or four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: provide substance use disorder counseling; recognize and respond to deviations from normal behavior and identify problematic behaviors of patients; prepare accurate written case documentation involving multiple treatment goals; assess needs of patient, provide counseling in recognition of their substance use and misuse, and recommend techniques and goals during the treatment phase; teach therapeutic techniques in prevention and intervention for substance use disorders to assist patients in the recovery process; and review and analyze biopsychosocial history to develop treatment plans.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR:
In addition to the Basic and Minimum requirements, you must currently hold at least one of the following certifications in order to be qualified for this position: Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor II or higher Certification; Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC); International Certified Alcoholism or Drug Counselor Certification (ICADC or AODC); and/or a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor.
A copy of the license/certification must be submitted with your application. Your license/certification must be maintained during employment.
Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Education
You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
This position is being announced concurrently under Delegated Examining Plan (DE) procedures. Please review vacancy announcement number IHS-25-CA-12605023-DE for eligibility requirements. NOTE: Applicants must apply separately for each announcement in order to be considered.
Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.
Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the application process is complete, the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications.
Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).
Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.
To ensure a fair and consistent hiring process, IHS uses a multi-hurdle assessment process. Each "hurdle" must be passed before moving to the next step. This helps us evaluate applicants based on job-related qualifications, competencies, and experience.
Below is what applicants can expect:
____
HR reviews your resume to confirm you meet the eligibility and minimum qualifications for the position (education and/or licensure (if applicable), listed above).
Note: the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications.
If you meet eligibility and minimum qualifications, you move to the next hurdle.
A panel of subject matter experts (SME) will review your resume to determine whether you clearly show the required specialized experience listed below.
Note: SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).
This assessment is Pass/Fail.
Applicants who demonstrate the required experience will advance.
Demonstration of these specialized experience statements ascertain your competency in the following:
Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12910923.
All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 04/10/2026, to be considered.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required documents
Required Documents
Help
USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements.
Resume: You are highly encouraged to visit the USAJOBS Help Center before submitting a resume. USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements
Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:
You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 04/10/2026
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Help
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below.
For additional questions please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) found here: http://www.ihs.gov/jobs/index.cfm?module=search&option=faq.
The IHS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office (Napua Gonzalez Aponte, napua.gonzalezaponte@ihs.gov, and/or 580-354-5106.) The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
Agency contact information
Napua Gonzalez Aponte
Email napua.gonzalezaponte@ihs.gov Address California Area Indian Health Service
650 Capitol Mall Suite 7-100
Sacramento, CA 95814
US
Next steps
Stay Updated with Text Alerts
You can choose to receive text message notifications about your application status. To enable this feature:
Text message updates are optional and provided in addition to email notifications. Standard messaging rates may apply.
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJOBS account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful once we have received your on-line eligibility questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJOBS Account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.
If all required documentation is not submitted with your application you will lose consideration. It is the applicants responsibility to verify that information and documents entered, uploaded, or faxed are received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
Required Documents
Help
USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements.
Resume: You are highly encouraged to visit the USAJOBS Help Center before submitting a resume. USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements
Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:
You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 04/10/2026
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Help
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below.
For additional questions please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) found here: http://www.ihs.gov/jobs/index.cfm?module=search&option=faq.
The IHS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office (Napua Gonzalez Aponte, napua.gonzalezaponte@ihs.gov, and/or 580-354-5106.) The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact information
Napua Gonzalez Aponte
Email napua.gonzalezaponte@ihs.gov Address California Area Indian Health Service
650 Capitol Mall Suite 7-100
Sacramento, CA 95814
US
Next steps
Stay Updated with Text Alerts
You can choose to receive text message notifications about your application status. To enable this feature:
Text message updates are optional and provided in addition to email notifications. Standard messaging rates may apply.
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJOBS account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful once we have received your on-line eligibility questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJOBS Account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.
If all required documentation is not submitted with your application you will lose consideration. It is the applicants responsibility to verify that information and documents entered, uploaded, or faxed are received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.
Expand Hide next steps
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
Indian Health Service
Become a part of an innovative, dynamic, nationwide organization of dedicated health care providers working to meet the individual health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indian Health Service (IHS) employees are considerate in our care, creative in our approach, enthusiastic about our work and compassionate with our patients. Our lifestyle is adventurous, community oriented and focused on service and problem solving as part of a professional interdisciplinary team. Join us in improving the health outcomes of over 2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Agency contact information
Napua Gonzalez Aponte
Email napua.gonzalezaponte@ihs.gov Address California Area Indian Health Service
650 Capitol Mall Suite 7-100
Sacramento, CA 95814
US
Visit our careers page
Learn more about what its like to work at Indian Health Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.
Summary
The purpose of this position is to provide quality chemical dependency counseling to youth ages 12 to 17 years of age with substance use/chemical dependency/co-occurring problems. Serves actively and constructively as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team, supports the organization and program philosophy of care; ensures the safety and well-being of each resident. The incumbent reports to the Clinical Director of Sacred Oaks Healing Center.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/01/2026 to 04/10/2026
Salary $82,780 - $107,620 per year Pay scale & grade GS 11
Location
Davis, CA
3 vacancies
Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required Not required Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes-You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Full-time Service Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status No Security clearance Other Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure No Bargaining unit status No
Announcement number IHS-26-CA-12910923-ESEP/MP Control number 863577400
Previous result
Next result
Your session is about to expire!
Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.
Sign out Stay signed in
Return to top
USAJOBS is a Opens in a new windowUnited States Office of Personnel Management website.
(Opens in a new window) OPM on LinkedIn (Opens in a new window) OPM YouTube channel
Opens in a new windowVote.gov