SUD Counselor - Youth For Change

POSITION OVERVIEW:
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor to join our Youth for Change Program in Oakland. The Youth for Change program aims to reduce the risk of substance use and dependence among young people through direct services and by raising awareness of available support among key community members and organizations. This position requires authenticity, motivation, and enthusiasm for working effectively with the youth population.

The SUD Counselor is responsible for conducting screening and outreach, intakes/assessments and providing individual, group, and family counseling, psychoeducation, case management, and other support services to youth between the ages of 12 and 21 years of age in our Youth for Change Program. The ideal candidate will provide SUD treatment to youth in various schools across Alameda County, at the Juvenile Justice Center, in community and at the clinic. This position will report to the Assistant Director/ Director/ Program Supervisor. This is a full-time 37.5 hour per week position. Some evening availability is required. This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture.

This position is covered under the  SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows:

• January 2026: 3% base pay increase
• January 2027: 3% base pay increase

Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

La Familia offers a recruitment bonus for any Behavioral Health or Substance Use Disorder programs and positions that require occupational licenses or certifications are eligible. This bonus is paid throughout your first year of continued employment in increments of $500 at 30 days, $500 at 6 months and $1,000 at year one

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Outreach

• Locate, identify and initiate the engagement process for individuals eligible for services by frequenting locations throughout Alameda County with a focus on the Oakland and Alameda areas;
• Establish working partnerships with stakeholders and referral organizations including schools, youth centers, youth justice systems, behavioral health agencies, and similar;
• Maintain positive agency relations with other service providers to provide enhanced services for youth;
• Accurately and thoroughly represent the importance and value of substance use services for youth, and specifically the services offered within this program.

Direct Services to Clients

• Conduct initial screening, intakes and assessments;
• Develop comprehensive service plans in collaboration with clients, and place clients in appropriate levels of care.
• Conduct individual, group, and family counseling sessions.
• Proactively link clients to both internal and external resources by providing appropriate case management services. These include linkages to employment, training and education, primary care, mental health and any other supportive services based on assessed needs.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all services offered to clients while adhering to agency, County, State and Federal requirements around timeliness for all client files;
• Develop and implement psychoeducational workshops and activities for youth and family engagement.
• Have a knowledge of all confidentiality, ethical requirements, and the HIPAA regulations.
• Represent clients and intervene on their behalf with probation officers, school teachers and school administration etc.
• Meet with LPHA within specified deadlines to establish medical necessity to ensure continuous services for clients.
• Maintain and submit all program documentation and reports in an accurate and timely manner;
• Actively identify and engage new clients by developing relationships with referral sources and guiding/implementing grassroots outreach strategies;
• Participate in all agency activities, meetings, training, events, etc. as assigned by the Program Supervisor

Other

• Attend all trainings, meetings and events as assigned by department leadership.
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for responsible function areas including productivity.
• Leads and/ or collaborate on special projects related to agency objectives as appropriate 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• At minimum, this position requires registration or certification as an alcohol and other drug counselor with an National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited organizations such as CAADE, CADTP or CCAPP
  • Active registration as AMFT/ ASW/ APCC with BBS highly desired!
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred;
• Knowledge of alcohol and drug prevention and recovery/treatment programs and principles;
• Knowledge of the effects of alcohol and drug use on brain, body and behavior;
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices for SUD treatment including Trauma-Informed Care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relapse Prevention, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing and Psychoeducation highly desired
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs of underserved populations including the Latino community;
• Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations preferred. 
• Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation and ability to work with diverse populations. 
• Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties. 
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace products.
• Valid CA Driver’s license required. 
  • Auto insurance: If your vehicle is used for business-related purposes, it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier.   

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates cultural awareness and provides respectful, client-centered care. 
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for client referrals 
• Attend work regularly, adhering to policies on absences and tardiness. 
• Understands and applies legal requirements, including confidentiality and risk management.

Timekeeping & Attendance Responsibilities

• Accurately record work hours each day by clocking in/out at scheduled start, break, lunch, and end times.
• Take all required meal and rest breaks in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies.
• Review and submit timesheets by established deadlines to ensure timely payroll processing.
• Notify supervisor promptly of any scheduling conflicts, absences, tardiness, or timekeeping issues. 
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance to support team and program operations.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures related to overtime, schedule changes, and paid/unpaid leave.
• Correct and/or report any timekeeping discrepancies immediately to the supervisor for resolution.

TEAM COMMITMENT:

• Viewed by others as an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others, and acts as a resource to team members and clients, where appropriate.
• Handles difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.
• Accepts accountability and constructive feedback.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and staff meetings as required, and actively participates in other departmental professional development, including providing training and consultation.
• Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, managers in other departments, senior management, executive staff, and community stakeholders.
• Handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and individuals in a tactful and effective manner to maintain goodwill within the agency.  

WORKING CONDITIONS and JOB SETTING:

• Ability to occasionally or frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms above the shoulders 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to keyboard, fingers, handle, and feel, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, crawl, reach, and stretch.
• The employee is occasionally required to move around the office
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus 
• May require travel, dependent on agency needs
• Can work under deadlines
• Performing general physical activities such as picking up, moving, and using objects, tools, or controls
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to stand and move from one location to another daily. 
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to visually focus on near and far items, and to be able to switch between them.
• Ability to reliably report to work on time and perform the position's required tasks as scheduled
• Ability to grasp and carry items
• Ability to hear and effectively communicate with co-workers, clients, and the public
• Ability to identify potential issues within the workplace, determine an appropriate means of avoiding and/or resolving the issues, work with others to address the issues, and carry out organized strategies for resolving and preventing similar issues in the future
• Ability to process information and data for use within the organization

BENEFITS:

• Excellent Health benefits package for you and your family, including: 
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions, and employer-paid life insurance.
• Recruitment bonus of up to $2,000.00 paid throughout your first year of employment.
• Vacation, 15 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days upon accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan to support you and your family’s well-being and finances 
• Pet Plan Benefit: 
  • PetPlus Product and Prescription Discounts, Pet Assure Veterinary Discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Work-life wellbeing & excellent work hours
  • La Familia understands the importance of work-life balance! Our therapists enjoy flexible scheduling options, including hybrid work arrangements, to ensure high-quality client care while maintaining their well-being.
• License and Certification renewals reimbursed.
• Supportive/Collaborative work environment 
• Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development
  • We believe in growing together. As a team member, you’ll have access to structured mentorship and ongoing training. Whether you’re pursuing licensure or looking to specialize in clinical psychology, we support your growth every step of the way.
• This position is covered under the  SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows:
  • January 2026: 3% base pay increase
  • January 2027: 3% base pay increase
  • Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.