ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG (AOD) COUNSELOR

Job Title

Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor

Who We Are:

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.

Why Work for GEO:

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.

Responsibilities

Under close supervision, the Alcohol and Other Drug 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 Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor facilitates group and individual SUD treatment and documents participants' attendance, participation and progress in case file and in database.
• Conducts risk/need and secondary assessments and creates individual treatment plans (ISPs) for each assigned participant, including MAT participants.
• The Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor reviews plan with participants on a regular basis and document progress or revisions so that they are gaining the life skills necessary to make a successful reentry into the community.
• Coordinates substance abuse program using principles of the "What Works" system.
• The Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor facilitates psycho-educational/behavior modification groups and individual sessions using principles of the "What Works" system.
• Meets regularly with participants and documents participants' progress or regress in Company database.
• The Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor notifies the Program Manager and treatment team of any problems/issues involving participants
• Makes decisions regarding caseload matters.
• Conducts and participates in case conferences including the MAT provider for each participant assigned to the caseload.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with outside referral sources, such as MAT providers, in-patient substance abuse facilities or detox facilities.
• Identifies problem areas that may impact participants' ability to successfully navigate and/or complete treatment.
• Guides participants to develop strategies to overcome obstacles to success and completion of treatment.
• Navigates data collection for tracking participant progress and reports out to customer.
• Ensures that participants' records are accurately completed in a timely manner.
• Maintains a treatment case file for every program participant.
• Maintains knowledge of new developments in the field of substance abuse.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in social services, criminal justice preferred or Associate of Arts or Associate of Sciences degree from a granting institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) OR Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent and/or high school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in counseling duties with a criminal justice and/or substance abuse program.
• Certified AODS Counselor, and/or in the process of completing the required hours of certification while under supervision by an agency/individual approved and recognized by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
• Knowledge of the transitional process, both documentation and operational, between in-custody and community-based modalities/programs preferred.
• 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 while understanding the boundaries needed for working in custody.
• Bi-lingual skills (English/Spanish) preferred but not mandatory
• Good facilitation skills.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously
• Knowledge of client record management.
• Basic computer skills