Substance Use Counselor

Mecklenburg County's Community Support Services (CSS) Department transforms lives and community by supporting veterans, ending homelessness, treating substance use, and preventing and intervening in community and domestic violence. As a department in Mecklenburg County’s Health and Human Services Agency, CSS maximizes community partnerships and collaborative opportunities to improve access to services and advocate for the needs of special populations.

Position Specific Information:
This position will be housed onsite at the Mecklenburg County 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 with 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.

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 due to 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 individual may be considered.
• Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License.
• Requires 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 preferred.
• Full CADC certification or full LCAS licensure with the NCASPPB preferred.