Bilingual SUD Counselor

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Counselor to join our Recovery and Wellness Department in the Oakland Area of Alameda County. The Counselor is responsible for conducting intakes/assessments and providing individual, group, and family counseling, psychoeducation, case management, and other support services for adolescents with a substance use disorder and their families. This position will report to the Program Supervisor.  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: 

• Conduct initial intake and assessments;
• Formulate treatment plans for clients;
• Conduct individual, group, and family counseling sessions;
• Provide assessment and appropriate referrals to clients for educational, training, and other supportive services as needed;
• Maintain all client files;
• Represent clients and advocate on their behalf with probation officers, law officials, etc.;
• 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;
• Develop community resources for clients and family members;
• Provide assessment and appropriate referrals to clients for educational, training, and other supportive services as needed;
• Attend collaborative meetings with other agencies;
• Plan, develop and implement educational, social and recreational activities for clients;
• Develop and complete compliance reports or performance reports as assigned;
• Participate in all agency activities, meetings, training, events, etc.;
• Participate in Recovery Incentives as assigned by the Program Supervisor.

Other 

• Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for responsible function areas
• Leads and collaborate on special projects related to agency objectives as appropriate 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• *REQUIRED Drug and Alcohol Certification (must be either a "CADC" from CCAPP, or "CATC" from CAADE, please list this designation and number clearly after candidate name on resume/C.V.)
• Bilingual Spanish/English is required
• Knowledge of alcohol and drug prevention and recovery/treatment programs and principles;
• Knowledge of the effects of alcohol and drug abuse;
• Knowledge of and sensitive to the needs of the Latino and African American 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.