Substance Use Disorder Specialist

Pay Rate

USD $26.42/Hr.

Why Join Us

You believe that every person deserves a place to call home. You see that homelessness is a systemic issue and want to be a part of the solution. You are ready to utilize your talent, experience, and creativity towards purpose-driven work. You want to work alongside industry leaders to learn, implement, and pioneer best practices.

LA Family Housing is a leading non-profit agency in Homeless Services and Real Estate Development. With 40 years of experience and 13,000+ people’s lives changed each year, we know what it takes to end homelessness. We take tremendous pride in the emergence of our staff as national leaders in innovation, best practices, and policy within housing production and homeless services. Join the fight to end homelessness and make a difference in people’s lives at LA Family Housing!

The Position

The Substance Use Disorder Specialist I is responsible for providing street-based substance use disorder assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, and follow-up referral/service tracking to people experiencing homelessness living on the streets and/or in encampments. This position will work within a street-based Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and will collaborate with various community agencies and programs that provide inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment. 

What You'll Do

• Provides mobile, street--based outreach to people experiencing homelessness living on the streets and/or in encampments
• Motivates individuals experiencing homelessness to engage in outreach services and associated community referrals that promote well-being by building rapport and providing emotional support to participants
• Creates relationships with substance use treatment providers and develops the referral process; maintains a resource listing of substance use disorder services for those engaged through the Street-based Multidisciplinary Team
• Provides ongoing street-based housing focused case management services utilizing a Harm Reduction and Housing First approach 
• Screens and identifies persons with a substance use disorder or substance use symptoms; works with the individuals to develop a substance use treatment plan utilizing a harm reduction approach
• Provides follow-up services to ensure that referrals are completed; provide advocacy as needed, engage in care coordination and discharge planning
• Responsible for providing insight and knowledge of substance use-related disorders to outreach team members
• Provides street-based housing focused case management
• Maintains thorough and accurate records in both written form and through assigned electronic databases 
• Coordinates program department activities as directed by supervisor
• Attends various regular staff, agency and community meetings as designated by supervisor
• Drives personal vehicle in and around Los Angeles County and drives agency vehicles periodically to transport clients
• Additional tasks, projects, and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

What You're Skilled At

• Knowledge and experience in conducting field-based services; understanding of the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and its overarching goal of achieving “functional zero” for those experiencing homelessness
• Extensive knowledge of issues facing homeless single adults (e.g. chronic health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, resources for undocumented persons)
• Able to demonstrate empathy and a non-judgmental attitude when engaging with persons experiencing homelessness
• Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with mental health and physical health needs
• Knowledge of “harm reduction” and “housing first” philosophies
• Knowledge of various substance use disorders according to DSM-5 required
• Must be able to perform extensive charting, electronic data entry, and documentation
• Clinical experience in working with individuals with multiple diagnoses including substance use, mental illness, and/or physical illness
• Availability to work after hours for crisis calls and/or disaster response
• Manage emotionally charged situations by providing crisis intervention in a field-based environment
• Experience working with a multidisciplinary team
• Conflict resolution skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Programs (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Zoom, and web-based software
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize roles, tasks, and deliverables
• Strong advocacy skills
• Creative problem-solving skills

Other

• Maintain and execute confidential information according to HIPAA standards
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to be flexible and work in an environment subject to ongoing change
• Bilingual: Spanish/English preferred 
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification
• Ability to pass post-offer Tuberculosis (TB) clearances
• Ability to pass a Pre-Employment Physical Exam 
• Travel is a regular duty for this position and is required
• Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and auto insurance in good standing
• Use of a personal vehicle to travel between worksites and other locations is required
• Ability to work a 9/80 work schedule

Experience

• Must be registered with CAADE, CADTP, and CCAPP.
• Must be enrolled in a substance use disorder (SUD) counselor training program but have not yet completed the training program, internship hours, and certification exam.
• Must be able to provide documentation of enrollment in the SUD counselor training program and registration with CAADE, CADTP, and CCAPP.
• 6 months experience providing direct homeless service delivery, case management, health care, behavioral health care, or substance use counseling preferred 

OR

• Completed Substance Use Counselor course work including internship and externship hours and certification exam
• Active CAADE, CADTP, and CCAPP accreditation required
• 6 months experience providing direct homeless service delivery, case management, health care, behavioral health care, or substance use counseling required
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homeless preferred

What We Offer

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, 529 Education Savings Plan, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Legal Access Plan, Employee Appreciation Program, Company Sponsored Employee Events, Staff Development, 9/80 Alternative Work Schedule, Paid Sick, Vacation and 13 Observed Holidays, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Eligibility and more!

Physical Demands, Environmental Conditions, Equipment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Potential physical demands include but are not limited to: walking, climbing stairs, handling, finger/grasp/feel objects and equipment, reaching, communicating, being mobile, repetitive motions, visual activity, driving, and entering buildings. Comfortable working in a pet-friendly environment required. If an accommodation is needed, please inform the Human Resources Department. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

LAFH is committed and proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran. 

Fair Chance Act

LA Family Housing will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if LA Family Housing is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.