Alcohol and Drug Service Specialist
Salary
$75,618.40 - $90,663.04 Annually
Location
Santa Maria, CA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
26-0458-01
Department
Behavioral Wellness and County Health Departments
Opening Date
04/10/2026
Closing Date
4/24/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
SALARY
$36.36 - $43.59 Hourly
$75,618.40 - $90,663.04 Hourly
Bilingual Allowance, when applicable
__
Are you committed to supporting individuals on their path to recovery and wellness? County of Santa Barbara is seeking skilled and compassionate Alcohol and Drug Counselors to join our team as an Alcohol and Drug Service Specialist.
We are accepting applications to fill one (1) Full-Time Alcohol and Drug Service Specialists in Santa Maria for Behavioral Wellness and one (1) Limited Term Full-Time, English/ Spanish Bilingual, Alcohol and Drug Service Specialists in Santa Maria at the County Health department. The selected candidate may need to travel between different sites within Santa Barbara County.
NOTE: We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list that will be used to fill current and future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help and 1414* vacancies in multiple locations including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please select ALL departments and locations you would like to be considered for initial employment.
Limited Term: The duration of this appointment is limited to a period not to exceed three (3) years; but is subject to annual review by the Commission to ensure the temporary or limited term nature of such appointment remains appropriate based on business operational needs and/or resources.
Visa Sponsorship: Please note this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or CLICK HERE to view more information.
In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and, at the discretion of the CEO, can provide flexible relocation assistance, housing and student loan offsets, cash incentives, and/or vacation and sick leave pre-accruals in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization.
NOTE: May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program, Perkins Loan Cancellation and/or National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).
THE POSITION: Under general direction, the Alcohol and Drug Services Specialist (ADSS) will work within a multidisciplinary team setting, providing treatment services to adults. The candidate conducts screenings, addiction assessments, and treatment referrals to people with alcohol and other drug-related problems and/or co-occurring mental health conditions; develops and conducts alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and training programs; attend regular meetings and report on clients seen; and performs other duties as required.
THE DEPARTMENTS:
County Health (www.countyofsb.org/CHD):
Behavioral Wellness (www.countyofsb.org/BWELL):
The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Alcohol and Drug Service Specialist is a journey-level professional classification. Selectees may be assigned to either program administration/prevention or treatment services assignments and may transfer between assignments. However, selectees for and transferees to treatment services positions are required to register for an approved Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification (pursuant to the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs Counselor Certification standards) upon assignment and to obtain certification within five years of appointment.
Incumbents in this class work within a system of interdisciplinary departmental teams and/or contract service agencies providing assessment, prevention, intervention, treatment, and related ancillary support services via an integrated service delivery system to people with alcohol and other drug-related problems, mental illness, and/or co-occurring conditions.
Examples of Duties
Program Administration/Prevention Services:
Develops, reviews, evaluates, and distributes educational materials to be used to increase individual, family, and community participation in local substance use programs and trainings; collects and evaluates data; organizes public awareness and involvement activities; and facilitates public meetings and conferences related to community alcohol and drug abuse.
Conducts training and provides technical assistance to non-profits and public agencies regarding current practice in alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment, including community mobilization, use of individual screening and assessment tools, issue advocacy, and treatment engagement and retention strategies.
Carries out community planning processes including data collection and analysis, determination of capacity, preparation of issue plans, implementation of research-based strategies, and evaluation of outcomes.
Monitors contract service providers to ensure compliance with federal, state, and County regulations and guidelines; evaluates appropriateness and quality of prevention and treatment services provided by comparing performance to contractor guidelines; provides information and assistance to service providers and others about contract requirements; keeps records and prepares reports evaluating contract compliance and program effectiveness.
Assists in the development of internal/external grant proposals under the direction of the Behavioral Wellness Service Coordinator or Behavioral Wellness Program Manager; assists in the request for proposal process by collecting and evaluating data toward the submission, release, and receipt of proposals and by answering questions about the process.
Reviews new local, state, and federal legislation and modifies programs to reflect related mandates as directed.
Program administration/prevention services staff may perform treatment services duties as a temporary assignment in order to satisfy the training and experience requirements for Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification.
Treatment Services:
Conducts pre-placement screenings and addiction assessments for people with alcohol and other drug-related problems and/or co-occurring mental illness conditions.
Conducts trainings for non-profit and public agencies regarding current practice in alcohol and other drug abuse treatment, including management of substance use by agency clientele, use of individual screening and assessment tools, client engagement and retention strategies, and treatment planning.
Reviews client behaviors or indicators common to client success and premature failure; and recommends strength-based approaches that facilitate successful treatment outcomes.
Refers clients to local treatment agencies and other related resources, follows-up to ensure treatment engagement, and participates in care coordination reviews.
Evaluates the outcomes of client activity in- and post-treatment.
Provides back-up coverage for other staff performing treatment services duties.
May be assigned program administration services duties on a temporary basis.
Employment Standards
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) listed below:
Possession of a bachelors degree in the health or social sciences or a closely related field AND two years of experience in an alcohol/or other drug abuse prevention or treatment services setting that included providing related services in at least two of the following areas: prevention, planning, education, intervention, screening, assessment, or administration; OR,
Possession of a masters degree in the health or social sciences or a closely related field AND one year of experience in an alcohol/or other drug abuse prevention or treatment services setting that included providing related services in at least two of the following areas: prevention, planning, education, intervention, screening, assessment, or administration; OR,
A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
NOTE: International degrees must include documentation from an evaluation service that shows the U.S. education equivalency along with unofficial transcripts at the time of application submittal. A list of evaluation services may be found at http://www.naces.org/members.html
Certification: Applicants are not required to be registered to obtain Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AOD) certification at time of application; however, selectees for Treatment Services appointments must register to obtain AOD certification (pursuant to the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs Counselor Certification standards) upon appointment and obtain certification within five years as a condition of continued employment.
NOTE: Alcohol and Drug Service Specialists assigned to Program Administration/Prevention Services are not required to obtain AOD certification; however, AOD certification may be required for promotional opportunities. Therefore, when feasible, Program Administration/Prevention Services incumbents will be allowed the opportunity to cross-train in Treatment Services in order to meet AOD certification training and experience requirement.
Drivers License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required at the time of appointment for positions in this job class.
Knowledge of: survey methods and data collection techniques; teaching methods related to health education and disease prevention; learning styles of individuals and groups from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds; community resources for alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention, or treatment; alcohol and drug abuse screening, assessment, or community planning tools and processes; grant writing procedures; and standard English usage and grammar.
Ability to: research, compile, analyze, interpret, and disseminate information; develop, conduct, and evaluate educational and training programs; demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences as they relate to program/service delivery; prepare reports and maintain records; interpret regulations; evaluate compliance with prevention/treatment service provider contracts; establish and maintain working relationships with colleagues, contractors, clients, and community groups; communicate clearly and effectively in a variety of situations including public forums; and work within a collaborative environment.
Background Investigation: Finalists for positions in this class will be required to pass a pre-offer, job-related background investigation.
Bilingual Language:
Supplemental Information
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Rating to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the examination, rank on the employment list, and duration of the employment list.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
County of Santa Barbara Health (County Health) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.
Background Investigation: Finalists for positions in this class will be required to pass a pre-offer, job-related background investigation.
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 04/24/26 at 4:59 p.m. PST; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Farrah Medrano, County Health Talent Acquisition Lead - PHDRecruiter@sbcphd.org.
Retirement Plans
Health Benefits
Paid Time Off
Miscellaneous Benefits
Compensation Summary
01
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY When completing your application and supplemental questionnaire, please pay close attention to the selections you make in the following areas: • Types of positions youre willing to accept (e.g. regular, temporary, seasonal) • Types of work (e.g., part-time, full-time) • Locations where youre willing to work (e.g. Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc) • Bilingual skills (e.g. Spanish speak) • Departments youre interested in working Why does this matter? If you successfully pass the Supplemental Questionnaire Rating, you are placed on the large employment list. Your rank is based on your exam score, preference points (if applicable), and the number of candidates on the list. When a department has a vacancy, we will filter the employment list based on the specific needs of the hiring department, and the work preferences selected on your application. For example, if County Health has a full-time opening in Santa Barbara, only the top 10 ranked candidates who selected County Health, Santa Barbara, and full-time work will be sent to the department for further consideration. This is your only opportunity to make these work type selections-double-check your preferences before submitting your application.
02
Please indicate which program(s) you are interested in working in. Please select all that apply.
03
The current vacancy with County Health REQUIRES bilingual English/Spanish - Speak, Read and Write abilities, and English/ Mixteco - Speak abilities are desired. The position with Behavioral Wellness prefers English/ Spanish, but is not required. Please indicate which of the following language(s) you are fluent and your level of proficiency. Please select all that apply.
04
To be considered for this position your application must CLEARLY state how you meet the requirements under EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS on the Job Bulletin or you will not be considered for this position. If you are unsure, go back and review your application before continuing. Which Employment Standard did you clearly state on your application?
05
If you selected the answer option for the preceding supplemental question, "A combination of training, education, and/or experience that is equivalent...", then please describe in detail how your combined training, education and experience qualifies you for this position. Write N/A if this does not apply to you.
06
Part of the Employment Standard requirement for this position is Education. Please provide the following information: name of degree obtained, name of major/minor, and date of completion. If you do not have a degree, but have taken courses in health or social services, please list below the course titles and the credits/units completed.
07
If you have an international degree, you must attach your documentation from an evaluation service that shows you meet the U.S. education standards and your transcripts at the time of application submittal. You may use the following list of evaluation services: http://www.naces.org/members.html. NOTE: You are required to attach your evaluation documents to your application. This is your only opportunity to provide such documentation. Your application may be denied if you received a degree from an international institution and do not provide the requested documentation.
08
Part of the Employment Standard requirement for this position is "experience in an alcohol/or other drug abuse prevention or treatment services setting that included providing related services in at least two of the following areas: prevention, planning, education, intervention, screening, assessment, or administration." Please describe in detail your experience as it relates to this standard. (Complete details should be listed on your application under Work History). Do not type "see resume" or "see application." If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."
09
Which of the following best describes your current status regarding Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AOD) certification?
10
The following questions are a Civil Service Examination. The Civil Service Examination for this recruitment is a Supplemental Questionnaire Rating. Please read each question carefully as this examination will determine your placement on the employment list. Responses to these questions will be used as a weighted, scored selection device. Evaluators will not have access to your application (including work history and education), application supporting materials (e.g. resumes, cover letters, transcripts), or any previous responses in your supplemental questionnaire. They will only have the information provided in each of your responses below. For information on protest procedures, refer to Civil Service Rules 612 and 613: https://www.countyofsb.org/1444/Civil-Service-Rules
11
How many years of experience do you have working in the field of substance use treatment (e.g., counseling, case management, treatment support, or recovery services)? NOTE: Full details of this experience must be included in your application.
12
Which of the following experiences have you had while working with individuals receiving substance use treatment services? Select all that apply: NOTE: Full details of this experience should be included in your application.
13
Which of the following treatment approaches or modalities have you been trained in and used when working with individuals receiving substance use treatment services? Select all that apply: NOTE: Full details of this experience should be included in your application.
14
What best describes your experience participating in the development of treatment plans for individuals receiving substance use treatment services? NOTE: Full details of this experience must be included in your application.
15
How many years of experience do you have performing case management duties such as assessing client needs, developing treatment plans, and coordinating services? NOTE: Full details of this experience/position(s) should be on your completed application.
16
How many years of experience do you have providing services to underserved or economically disadvantaged populations (e.g., individuals experiencing homelessness or financial hardship)? NOTE: Full details of this experience/position(s) should be on your completed application.
17
Which of the following best describes your experience providing mental health services to Spanish-speaking or Mixteco-speaking clients, in a healthcare or behavioral health setting? Select all that apply: NOTE: Full details of this experience should be included in your application.
Required Question
Employer County of Santa Barbara
Address 1226 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, California, 93101