SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR

Substance Abuse Counselor

GEO provides complementary, turnkey solutions for numerous government partners worldwide across a spectrum of diversified correctional and community reentry services. From the development of state-of-the-art facilities and the provision of management services and evidence-based rehabilitation to the post-release reintegration and supervision of individuals in the community, GEO offers fully diversified, cost-effective services that deliver enhanced quality and improved outcomes.

We believe that work is more than a place you go to every day. It is about being inspired and motivated to achieve extraordinary things. Employee benefits play an important role in making The GEO Group a great place to work. At GEO, we believe in the three pillars of employee wellbeing: physical, emotional, and financial. With comprehensive benefits and competitive wages, we trust that you will find all the resources you need here to be successful.

Summary: The Substance Abuse Counselor assists in developing, organizing, and conducting programs to provide education for conditions and problems relating to drug and alcohol abuse. Conducts or assists in conducting individual or group counseling sessions and programs. Learns, uses and models principles of the "What Works" system through evidence-based practices in all interactions with clients and other staff members.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Substance Abuse Counselor coordinates substance abuse program at an office or group of offices using principles of the "What Works" system. Schedules intakes, and group and individual sessions. Discusses specific cases with case managers to determine if they are appropriate for substance abuse treatment. May assist with the assignment of cases.
• Facilitates psycho-educational/behavior modification groups using principles of the "What Works" system. Documents participants' attendance, participation and progress in Company database.
• The Substance Abuse Counselor conducts risk/need assessments and creates individual treatment plans for each assigned participant. Meets regularly with participants' and documents participants' progress or regress in Company database.
• Notifies the customer or facility leadership of any problems/issues involving any program or participant services/treatment plan.
• The Substance Abuse Counselor conducts initial interviews and participates in case conferences for each participant assigned to the caseload.
• Reviews the participant's services treatment plan with the program team.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with outside referral sources, such as in-patient substance abuse facilities or detox facilities. Actively pursues and develops referrals from probation and evaluating agencies.
• Identifies problem areas that may impact participants' ability to successfully complete treatment. Guides participants to develop strategies to overcome obstacles to success completion of treatment.
• May advise Customer of participants' progress regularly or at completion of treatment.
• Collects participants' fees for program participation. Tracks fee collection for office or group of offices.
• Ensures that participants' records are accurately completed in a timely manner.
• May maintain a specific substance abuse treatment case file for every program participant.
• Selects and recommends new instructional materials and programs for use in the substance abuse program.
• Maintains knowledge of new developments in the field of substance abuse.
• Maintains a collegial relationship with other substance abuse professionals, programs, and associations.
• Participates in related training for substance abuse.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent; and a minimum of three (3) years of full-time experience of counseling duties with a criminal justice population in a substance abuse program.
• Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification by an agency approved and recognized by the Department of Health Care Services or its successor preferred; a minimum 'Registered' status with a National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) could be considered.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner in both individual and group counseling settings.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with a team of professionals and have the ability to implement team strategy approaches to work assignments.
• Ability to work with computers and the necessary software typically used by the department.
• Effective communication skills with internal and external contacts at all levels.
• Problem solving ability.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Bi-lingual skills (English/Spanish) may be required as well as experience dealing with a specific cultural group.
• Good presentation, public speaking and facilitation skills.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Knowledge of client record management.
• Basic computer skills.