Dual Diagnosis Specialist

Salary : $59,446.40 - $72,321.60 Annually
Location : Merced County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Department 301 E 13th St. Merced, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2600188
Department: Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
Opening Date: 03/30/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 08 Public Services


Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in the planning, organizing and implementing of specialized mental health, drug and alcohol services for the dually diagnosed.
• Conducts individual, group, and family counseling sessions with program clients and their families.
• Facilitates alcohol and drug treatment groups for mentally ill clients.
• Prepares and administers individual recovery plans with program clients with the support and assistance of other professional staff.
• Collects and records pertinent social data on program clients.
• Performs client intake and discharge procedures. Also performs crisis intervention services.
• Develops and maintains communications between the department and community agencies.
• Refers clients to other programs and community agencies which provide assistance.
• May assist with training or act as a mentor to new employees and/or interns.
• Performs a variety of dual diagnosis program support activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:
Two (2) years of experience related to alcohol and drug abuse treatment or prevention, and at least one (1) year of experience providing service to mentally ill individuals. One (1) year of which must have included providing counseling or presentations equivalent to that of an Alcohol and Drug Services Intern or Mental Health Worker II with Merced County.

Certification:
A valid Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling or Addiction Services. Employees who do not maintain a valid certificate pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Chapter 8 of the Health and Safety Code, Section will be terminated.

Education:
Two (2) years of advanced education (60 units of college credit) in psychology, sociology, or a closely related field may be substituted for the two (2) years of the required experience. Certification as a CAS (Certified Addiction Specialist) CADAC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) or MICA (Mentally Ill and Chemical Abuser) may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Special Requirement:
Applicants with a personal history of alcohol and drug abuse must present evidence of their successful recovery.

SOME POSITIONS IN THIS CLASSIFICATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS PURSUANT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECTION 2, B

Essential Functions

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, develop appropriate responses, and prepare reports.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Make presentations.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Sit, stand or walk for long periods of time.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Philosophy and goals of Alcohol and Drug and Mental Health Programs.
• Theories and causes of alcohol and drug problems.
• Common practices and procedures used in therapeutic interaction with alcohol and drug abusers and chronically mentally ill persons.
• Various therapeutic, treatment and recovery approaches, including individual, group, and family counseling.
• Characteristics of alcohol and drug abusers and interviewing techniques.
• Community resources, including other mental health and social service agencies.
• Principles, procedures, techniques, and trends of providing therapeutic and counseling services for mental health clients with co-occurring alcohol and/or drug problem.
• Social aspects and characteristics of mental/emotional disturbances and alcohol or drug dependence.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of alcohol and drug counseling, presentation, and program support assignments with minimal supervision.
• Develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of mentally/emotionally disturbed clients.
• Maintain flexibility in treatment programs and therapeutic interventions
• Think clearly and act calmly in a variety of situations.
• Perform intake and termination procedures and individual, group, and family counseling for dually diagnosed clients.
• Interact with clients in a therapeutic way and maintain records and prepare reports.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public co-workers and those contacted during the course of work.

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.

INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

Dental Insurance - Delta Dental

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

Vision Insurance - VSP

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

DISABILITY INSURANCE

State Disability Insurance (SDI)
Merced County non-management employees are enrolled in the State Disability Insurance Program (SDI). Premiums for this insurance are paid by the employee. This insurance is administered solely by the State, who determines eligibility and payments. Benefit amounts are based on the quarter with the highest wages earned within the base period.
LIFE INSURANCE

County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Represented Employees $10,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pre-tax or post-tax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION


The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.

EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
01


Do you possess a valid Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling or Addiction Services?

• Alcohol and Drug Counseling
• Addition Services
• None of the above

02


Please indicate whether you possess any of the certifications listed below. If yes, select the appropriate certification:

• CAS (Certified Addiction Specialist)
• CADAC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor)
• MICA (Mentally Ill and Chemical Abuser)
• None of the above

03


Please list the accreditation body for the certification you possess.
Required Question