Social Service Worker I (SUD Certification Required)

AOD CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT: 
Candidates must be a certified AOD counselor before beginning employment and hold an active certification throughout employment from one of the following accredited organizations: California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE); California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP); California Consortium of Addition Programs and Professionals (CCAPP).

This Social Service Worker I, AOD certified required recruitment is to establish an eligible list for all Behavioral Health Programs within Health and Human Services requiring the certificate.

As such, you are encouraged to apply even if a vacancy doesn’t exist in the program for which you are interested. 

Odyssey: 

There is currently one full-time position available (1 FTE – 80 hours biweekly) in the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services with the full-service partnership Odyssey Program. Utilizing the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model, the Odyssey program provides intensive psychiatric case management services that are accessible 24/7 to adults 18 and older. 
 

Under direction of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Unit Supervisor, the Social Service Worker I (SSWI) will be the first point of contact for many seeking services. As such, it’s imperative that this role maintain a client-focused mentality and consistently build professional relationships through engagement and rapport. The work will include continuous follow-up with clients to support stability. 

This position will connect clients to treatment resources in Behavioral Health and outside organizations. This is done by phone, in person, or in the field (this person must be comfortable working in all environments) through assessment, intake, assistance, linkages, discussing referral options, education, and technical assistance. This position will also facilitate recovery focused low barrier groups/harm reduction conversations on a regular basis. The care coordination responsibilities will include but is not limited to partnering with internal and external organizations to provide general outpatient and intensive substance use treatment service referrals for adults/older adults with severe mental health/substance use issues. Clients may include persons with disabilities who may be medically complex and those who are homeless experiencing challenges with long-term stable housing. This role will maintain a referral case load and will complete accurate documentation within tight service deadlines. The employee will also keep abreast of the resources and services in Marin. 

This position requires beginning the workday in the office and then meeting clients one on one in the community and facilitating groups in the community as well. Based on programmatic needs there may be an opportunity for a rotating day off once a pay period. 

Our Highly Qualified Candidate 

The ideal candidate for the Social Service Worker I position has experience in generalist social work practices and customer service, excellent written and oral communication skills. The candidate will have experience working with the targeted populations of adults/older adults, disabled individuals with severe mental health issues, medically complex individuals, and individuals who are experiencing challenges with homelessness long-term stable housing. This position will meet clients in their living situations within the community. Experience interviewing, assessing, and educating clients must be demonstrated. The candidate will have knowledge of programs and resources in Marin County for the client population and will be experienced in referring and coordinating services with both internal and external agencies to serve the needs of clients. Experience with facilitating groups is highly desirable. They will have knowledge of effective recovery-based counseling skills, of evidence-based practices for SUD/co-occurring disorders, and of treatment services in Marin County for persons with co-occurring SMI and SUD. They will be able to work independently as well as a part of a team with an emphasis on communication. The candidate will be able to organize their work effectively, as well as being able to document complex clinical information quickly, accurately, and concisely, and utilize this information to rapidly develop a case plan. The ideal candidate can provide a welcoming environment to even the most distraught client. They will be able to ascertain the need for additional supports for clients and assist them in identifying and overcoming barriers to securing supportive services necessary for recovery. The ideal candidate will have strong needs assessment skills in addition to having the ability to work with and relay information to a wide range of clients, families, and other professionals. In addition, the ideal candidate will have experience in de-escalating persons in high-stress and/or high anxiety situations to maintain the safety of all self and others.  

The candidate will exhibit the ability to maintain client related data in tracking systems, including timely documentation of direct service notes and complete entries into identified information management systems. The ideal candidate must demonstrate the ability to perform in high pressured situations both in the clinic and in the field, maintaining calm consistent demeanor. The candidate will have good computer skills and have experience with documentation of client interactions either in an electronic heath record or other data entry system. Training in Medi-Cal documentation is highly desirable, but not required. The candidate will have the ability to function effectively in a team environment and be able to work collaboratively with internal and external partners.