MESA COUNTY

Position Announcement

SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR

DEPARTMENT: CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE DEPARTMENT

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

HIRING RANGE: $3,517.75 - $4,045.41/month (DOQ)

SALARY RANGE: $3,517.75 - $4,749.00/month

POSITION CLOSES: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Reports To: Manager – CJSD

Driving Classification: Essential

Management: Non-Supervisory Responsibility

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides professional level on-site substance abuse treatment and educational programs to offenders participating in, sentenced or referred to Mesa County Criminal Justice Services in an effort to reduce offender recidivism and increase community safety.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

(The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)

Completes substance abuse and dependency assessments and evaluations of offenders who are participating with the Criminal Justice Services Department. Provides a diagnosis and makes recommendations for treatment as appropriate.

Provides individual and group substance abuse treatment for program offenders. This position specializes in correctional counseling, addressing offender’s substance abuse and criminal behavior in a therapeutic setting, utilizing research proven techniques for offenders and developing a cooperative effort with referring criminal justice agencies. The position provides psycho‑educational skill building classes to offenders, completes comprehensive monthly progress reports for the supervising case manager or referral agency, with the goal to reduce recidivism and increase community safety.

Participates as a member of the case management team, attending weekly meetings, and updating case managers on client progress and making recommendations for future treatment needs.

Ensures that record maintenance requirements are met in accordance with program and oversight agency guidelines, including the Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division and Division of Criminal Justice.

Coordinates, schedules and presents educational programs for program offenders. Responds to clients in mental health crisis and coordinates referrals to the local mental health system.

Assists in the development of program curriculums; conducts research on current and innovative practices used throughout the industry. Assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures as they relate to treatment and educational programs.

Works as a liaison between community treatment providers and Criminal Justice Services Case Managers and Administrators.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social or behavioral sciences, education, or a related field and two (2) years corrections related experience.

Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Certified Addictions Counselor I

Certified Addictions Counselor II (preferred)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

This position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 60 pounds.

Occasional exposure of work time to hazardous situations which involve physically violent persons, interviewing mentally or emotionally disturbed persons or bodily injury from biohazards, infections, or blood-borne pathogens.

Requires irregular hours and shifts including days, swings, graveyard shifts, weekends and holidays.

How to Apply: Obtain a Mesa County Criminal Justice Service Application at www.mesacounty.us and submit to: Mesa County Human Resources/Personnel, P.O. Box 20,000-5021, Grand Junction, CO 81502-5021 or 544 Rood Ave., Floor 3A, Grand Junction. ADA/EOE