Counselor - mental health - probation

Job Description Description: Join McAlister Institute, a 49-year beacon in San Diego's Recovery Community.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with diverse populations in various settings such as residential facilities and/or other treatment facilities. As a SUD Counselor, you will be reporting to the site Program Manager and will be responsible for providing individual and group counseling, developing treatment plans, and supporting clients through their recovery journey.

13 paid annual holidays, including your birthday; 403(b) Retirement Plan + up to 6% Employer Match
~ Health Insurance available the first of the month following 30 days of employment (Sharp)

~ EAP

Maintain an active caseload of clients, providing individual and group counseling in adult and/or teen programs.
Facilitate evidence-based, culturally competent, trauma-informed treatment programs and interventions tailored to the specific needs of the population served.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including social workers, therapists, case managers, and medical professionals.
Coordinate with community resources and provide referrals when necessary.
Minimum of two years’ experience in behavioral health services.
Experience working with adult populations in a counseling or therapeutic setting.
Demonstrated success working with the unique needs of clients referred through agencies such as the Probation Department, Child Welfare Services, Dependency Drug Court, and the criminal justice system preferred.
Proficiency in maintaining confidential client records and case documentation.
Maintains knowledge of legal guidelines pertaining to EMTALA/COBRA and abuse/neglect reporting.
Knowledgeable about harm reduction, trauma-informed care, patient-centered care, and motivational interviewing.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse population, including the impoverished, unhoused, and those suffering from chronic substance use and/or mental health challenges.
Exudes a calm and competent manner, able to converse with medical professionals, lay persons, as well as persons or families and defuse crisis or high intensity situations.
Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
Electronic Health Records such as Welligent or Smartcare).
Compliance with all agency and contract requirements related to trainings, public health, certifications, and reporting.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English strongly preferred.
On-site position.
Ability to pass all pre-employment screening, including references, education verification, a criminal background check with at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.
All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, any other non-job-related factors, and other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal anti-discrimination law covering employment.

McAlister Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the View email address on us.fitly.work must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. McAlister Institute does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from McAlister Institute employment as we are subject to County of San Diego contractual hiring requirements). Candidates must have at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.