Residential Treatment Counselor

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from and accredited university or college with a major in counseling, social work, psychology, nursing, rehabilitation, special education, health education or related human services field and two years of work experience in a behavioral health treatment program;  or must possess and maintain a current Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) certification throughout employment in this classification.  

Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Must successfully pass a Level 2 background check as specified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Must successfully obtain the FDLE Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Certification within 6 months of employment or upon assignment which requires access to the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC)/National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Certification must be maintained as a condition of employment; re-certification required every two years. This is Level One certification.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.

Position Summary

This is professional counseling work assigned to the Metamorphosis Residential Treatment Program.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for assessing and counseling clients and families. Work also involves related responsibilities including maintaining client records, evaluation and assessment, individual and group counseling, conducting didactic and educational groups, and meeting with community groups to inform them of treatment programs.

The Residential Treatment Counselor is part of an integrated clinical team providing services for individuals served by the Alachua County Metamorphosis Residential Treatment Program.  This is a therapeutic community, and the counselor must be knowledgeable of this model as it pertains to individuals with both substance use and mental illness disorders.

Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.  

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Utilizes a variety of evidence-based counseling strategies as well as ensures all clinical documentation requirements adhere to the standards set forth by the Florida Administrative Codes Chapter 65D-30.

Conducts substance use screenings and comprehensive psych-social assessments.

Maintains client records; counsels individuals and groups concerning addiction and recovery.

Participates in group discussions and seminars.

Informs local government and social service agencies such as parole, welfare agencies, hospitals or police regarding available resources for treatment.

Meets with local community groups such as churches, schools and business organizations to inform them of County substance abuse programs.

Submits written reports on the quality/quantity of work completed.

Performs case management functions.

Assists in the training of subordinate personnel.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

Drives a County vehicle to transport clients to scheduled appointments as well as other therapeutic group activities.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the dynamics and problems of addiction, abuse, and treatment methods.

Knowledge of psychology counseling theory and practice with the ability to apply to substance abuse.

Knowledge of laws, developments, and literature in the field of addiction.

Knowledge of local public and private substance abuse programs and their requirements, and the available community resources helpful to clients.

Knowledge of community services provided by community public health agencies and hospitals.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Ability to counsel effectively with addicted clients and families.

Ability to relate goals and methods of substance abuse treatment to community groups and agencies.

Ability to prepare and submit narrative and statistical reports.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Work schedule of 40 hours per week may vary depending upon unit needs and could be a variety of hours and shifts including some evening and weekend hours.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$47,860.80 Annually