Substance Abuse Counselor

Position Specific Information:
This position will be housed full time onsite at the Mecklenburg County Jail/Detention Center in uptown Charlotte at 801 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. The position hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Candidates are required to be credentialed or licensed with the NCASPPB, including CADC, or LCAS. Provisionally certified and associate licensed individuals may be considered such as LCAS-A and CADC-INTERN status with the NCASPPB.

The candidate for this position will be responsible for providing treatment services (individual counseling, group counseling, facilitating screenings and assessments, and case management duties) following the 12 Core Functions of substance use counseling.

Selected candidate will be required to complete onboarding processes with both the County and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). This includes the ability to obtain and maintain facility access to the Mecklenburg County Detention Center as a contingency of employment.

Position Summary:
Provide counseling to individuals with various substance use and mental health issues. This position, with a high degree of latitude, is responsible for providing general counseling, developing person-centered plans, and providing educational lectures based on the 12 core functions of substance use counseling.

Essential Functions:

• Provide substance use services based on the 12 core functions of substance use counseling.
• Provide individual and group counseling.
• Assist with the development of the client’s person-centered plan and monitor progress.
• Complete documentation in accordance with Federal, state, and county policies.
• Participate in clinical supervision.
• Provide didactic education on recovery-related topics.
• Generate letters on behalf of clients to verify participation in treatment.
• Conduct random urine drug screens or Breathalyzer tests.
• Complete Incident Reports as needed.
• Maintain client record.
• Work on an interdisciplinary team and communicate daily with the team.
• May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster or assist with other mass care duties in the event of an emergency.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience: Minimum of three years of experience in substance abuse counseling.
Education: Bachelor's Degree in a human services field.
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted: Yes

Licenses and Certifications:

• Certified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC).
• Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board.
• Provisionally certified and associate licensed individuals may be considered (CADC-INTERN and LCAS-A).
• Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License.
• Requires the ability to obtain and maintain Mecklenburg County Driving Privileges.

Community Support Services positions: This position performs key job functions at a community partner work site. Employment in this position is conditional upon following all policies and procedures of the community partner host agency and adhering to all requirements that the community partner agency has established to grant and maintain physical and/or virtual access to the work site. If access is revoked, employment will be terminated.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work experience in a criminal justice setting.
• Full CADC certification or full LCAS licensure with the NCASPPB.

Compensation & Benefits:
In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package, which greatly increases your total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short term disability, long term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare and commuter flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses; an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling; access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined pension benefit plan for retirement.