County of Alameda

Under general supervision, to oversee the daily operational activities and programmatic services for clients participating in Inmate Services/Youth and Family Services Bureau coordinated reentry programs; provide a variety of paraprofessional counseling services; recommend appropriate referrals; provide facilitation for a variety of reentry-focused specialty groups; participate as part of the treatment team; and perform other related duties as required.    

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES   This classification is located in the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Youth and Family Services Bureau. Incumbents are responsible for assisting reentry clients with their daily activities including facilitating substance abuse groups, facilitating parenting groups, referring clients to services, and coordinating program activities.   The Youth and Family Services Program Assistant is distinguished from the Youth and Family Services Therapist in that the latter are licensed clinicians, responsible for providing a wide range of psychological, therapeutic and clinical services to clients.

NOTE:    The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification may not necessarily perform all duties listed.  

1.  Provides individual and/or group psycho-educational counseling to reentry clients and their families, in collaboration with the primary clinician and/or clinical team.

2.  Coordinates and facilitates peer support groups, educational groups and classes for reentry clients.

3.  Engage reentry clients and develop relationships based on recovery practices and principles.

4.  Under supervision, assist in determining wellness needs of reentry clients and assist clients and clinicians in accessing those services.

5.  In collaboration with clinical staff, provide interventions from the treatment plan that may include skill development, budgeting, supporting housing efforts, supporting vocational goals, and supporting physical and mental health needs.

6.  Under supervision, assess for crisis and risk; then communicate signs and behaviors to clinical staff in a timely manner. Respond appropriately to crisis situations involving reentry clients, identify appropriate interventions and take effective actions in collaboration with team and/or supervisor.

7.  Identify essential reentry client resources and refer to other departments, agencies or community resources for appropriate treatment, services and supports.

8.  Assist reentry clients with completion of forms and applications for benefits and other services.

9.  Document services provided per departmental Quality Assurance standards and Medi-Cal requirements and submit billing in a timely manner.

10.  Serve as a liaison and resource specialist, with knowledge of a variety of county, community and peer support resources in Alameda County.

11.  Participate as an active member of treatment teams, including attendance at staff meetings, case conferences and other meetings as necessary.  

Education:  

Successful completion of a training program in mental health, alcohol and other drug, health and wellness, social work, peer counseling or a closely related field.  

And  

Experience:  

The equivalent one year of experience in a law enforcement, outpatient facility, vocational, hospital, or other clinical or agency setting providing mental health, alcohol and other drug, vocational, or wellness counseling and referral services to clients, including groups, individuals and their families.  

License:  

Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.  

Special Requirements:  

In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in this classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day of employment.  

Must pass a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office prior to appointment to positions in this class.  

NOTE:    The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.  

NOTE:    The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.  

Knowledge of:  

·  Theory, principles and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy.

·  The mental, physical, emotional, and social needs of reentry clients with mental health, physical health, and/or substance abuse issues.

·  Principles and techniques of mental health and/or alcohol or other drug treatment and recovery principles and practices.

·  Principles of risk assessment, crisis intervention and treatment.

·  Harm reduction principles and techniques.

·  Behavioral health programs, community organizations and resources, and peer support networks in the local community.

·  Cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns.

·  Office administrative practices and procedures including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.

·  Computer applications related to the work.  

Ability to:  

·  Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, community resources and organizations.

·  Function effectively in a highly structured law enforcement environment and adhere to established policy, procedure and protocol.

·  Interpret, explain and apply regulations, policies and procedures.

·  Organize and prioritize work to meet critical deadlines.

·  Interview, secure and systematically record accurate personal health and social information to help determine client needs.

·  Develop effective and productive therapeutic relationships with clients.

·  Work with a diverse population.

·  Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

·  Communicate effectively orally and in writing, and write concise reports.  

Newspecs:

EL:jf 9/12/2017

CSC Date: 10/25/17

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.