Substance Use Disorder Professional I

Substance Use Disorder Professional I

Salary

$60,798.40 - $82,264.00 Annually

Location

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

2026-0086

Division

Strengthening Families

Program

SF - Substance Use Services

Opening Date

07/31/2026

Closing Date

8/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

Are you looking for a position that will allow you to use your knowledge and experience with substance use disorder counseling to make a difference in the health of residents of Pierce County? If this sounds like the position for you, we invite you to join our team as we have two (2) openings for Regular, Full-Time (1.0 FTE) Substance Use Disorder Professionals I in our Substance Use Services Program. The usual work schedule for this position is four ten-hour days, typically from 5:00am to 3:30pm, but can also work five eight-hour days. The expected starting salary range for this position is between $29.23 - $31.30 per hour. Salary is open to negotiation based on experience and qualifications.

This is an entry-level technical position that offers comprehensive treatment planning and counseling within an outpatient clinic setting. This highly interactive role requires extensive communication with clients and other community-based programs. Employees provide substance use disorder counseling and case management services to individuals in the Opioid Treatment Program and maintain individual files in compliance with County, State and Federal regulations.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position is the first level of the Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) Series. This role operates independently with minimal supervision, requiring sound judgement to make recommendations and meet objectives. Results are reviewed by supervisor for quality and compliance.

Position Series

• Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee
• Substance Use Disorder Professional I
• Substance Use Disorder Professional II
• Substance Use Disorder Professional III
• Substance Use Disorder Professional Supervisor

Career Path Options

Options to continue your career at the Health Department depend on your interest, education, and training. Possibilities beyond the position series include:

• Health Promotion Coordinator I, II, or III

Essential Functions

• Manages a caseload of assigned patients, acts as primary counselor, and facilitates treatment and education groups.
• Gathers protected health information to build a comprehensive client file. Works in collaboration with clinical and medical staff in developing treatment goals and provision of necessary services and treatment.
• Assists in the oversight of clinic waiting area at to ensure a safe and clean environment.
• Documents patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.

Examples of Key Duties

The items in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic, and duties may change based on business needs. Any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.

• Manages a caseload of assigned patients, acting as primary counselor.
• Facilitates treatment and education groups.
• Gathers personal client information, including a medications list and medical and substance use disorder (SUD)history, to build a comprehensive client file. Works in collaboration with clinical and medical staff in developing treatment goals and provision of necessary services and treatment based on medical necessity.
• Documents patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
• Assists in the oversight of clinic waiting area ensuring a safe and clean environment as needed.
• Keeps patient tracking records up-to-date and accurate.
• Submits daily activity records and completes patient evaluations and reports.
• Completes ASAM SUD Assessments as requested.
• Facilitates SUD Treatment Education/Process Groups as requested.
• Maintains electronic patient records per program policies and procedures in accordance with the Washington State Administrative Code.
• Completes assigned training to ensure current practices are in place regarding emergency response, trauma-informed care, de-escalation techniques, and mental health first aid.
• Coordinates patient care with other institutions.
• Coordinates and attends program and medical team staff meetings.
• Provides education and consultation services for substance use, addiction, and treatment. Offers client referrals to social service entities, judicial services, and medical facilities.?
• The work you do might require you to participate in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
• Understands and properly follows established procedures in preventing and responding to unsafe or emergency situations. Identifies and reports potentially unsafe practices or conditions.
• Operates equipment, tools, machinery, and vehicles safely and understands processes for reporting an accident or injury.
• Understands and applies knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform assigned emergency response role during an emergency.

When public health responds to an emergency, you may be assigned duties and responsibilities that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time and reporting to a location other than the department with different working conditions and physical requirements. You are expected to participate in emergency preparedness activities including our emergency notification system, WA SECURES. Drills and real-world events may take place at any time.

Click here for a detailed Classification Specification.

What you bring to the table

Below are required knowledge, skills, and competencies you will need to be successful in the role.

• Intermediate knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs.

• Knowledge of American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) assessment, intervention, and consultation principles and practices affecting substance use, addiction, and treatment.

• Understanding of harm reduction practices and trauma informed and patient-centered care.

• Pharmacology knowledge for commonly used drugs and treatment modalities for drug addiction.

• Knowledge of community-based agencies and departmental programs involving health care and social services for client referral.

• Knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to substance use treatment programs.

• Informed on public health issues as they relate to specific social science disciplines.

• Knowledge of interviewing and assessment methods for a diverse patient population.

• Active listening skills.

• Data entry and analysis skills.

• Skilled in maintaining sensitive and confidential data and using discretion when sharing information.

• Skilled in communication:

• Listens to others and communicates in an effective manner.

• Asks questions in ways that enhance the clarity, quality, and reliability of information.

• Understands and learns from what others say, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

• Grasps the meaning of written information and applies it to work situations.

• Conveys ideas and facts using language the audience will best understand, taking into consideration the audience and nature of the information.

• Writes in a clear, concise, and organized manner for the intended audience.

Foundational Competencies

• Knowing and managing oneself: Understands that all equity, trauma-informed, and restorative practices start with oneself. Exercises a high degree of self-reflection, personal accountability, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability. Is willing to learn, apply, and model agency values and ethical standards.
• Restorative practices and conflict resolution: Articulates through words and actions authentic commitment to create an environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect and afforded equal opportunities and impartial treatment. Centers work inequity and trauma informed and restorative practices to achieve and maintain collaboration and teamwork and to effectively work with historically underrepresented and/or underserved populations to advance community health. Utilizes restorative practices to address harm and promote healing to strengthen relationships between individuals and social connections within communities.
• Collaboration and engagement: Provides balanced and objective information to help teammates, partners, and the public understand problems, alternatives, opportunities, and solutions. Works directly with partners within the Department, in the community, and members of the public affected by the work to obtain feedback and understand diverse points of view, concerns, and aspirations. Identifies preferred solutions together, incorporating advice and recommendations to the maximum extent possible.
• Evidence informed practices and decision-making: Applies evidence informed practices and methodologies to achieve the greatest impact in delivery of services to internal and external customers and partners. Incorporates the social determinants of health into public health work. Integrates research and evidence into the decision-making process. Seeks to systematically identify and eliminate inequities resulting in differences in health and in overall living conditions. Utilizes evidence informed practices to increase equity in systems and policy. Creates a robust culture of assessment and evaluation and continuous process improvement.
• Cross cultural communication and Engagement: Understands that cultural awareness, appreciation, and humility can only occur when you practice curiosity and open-mindedness. Operates with a high level of humility and cultural agility to achieve effective intercultural communication, engagement, and collaboration in the workplace and in the community. Is open to feedback and continuously self-reflects on one's own actions and responses. Centers personal accountability on the Department's mission, values, and ethical standards.

Who should apply

The items below are the requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values work experience, lived experience, and education and realizes that people take different paths to acquire knowledge.

• Associate Degree in Social and Human Services or related field.
• One year of clinical experience, experience at an addiction recovery and/or medication assisted treatment (MAT) facility preferred.

We will consider any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Professional Certifications, Licensure, and Other Requirements.

We require the below for this classification.

• Current State of Washington Substance Use Disorder Professional Certification.
• Immunizations and immunization screening required at hire and annually based on program area.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work Environment

• Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in a clinical office environment. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in clinical environments.
• Environmental conditions may entail a stressful work climate due to the nature of the job, i.e., sexual abuse, sexual health counseling, substance use disorder counseling, etc.
• The potential for dealing with dissatisfied or angry customers exists, requiring skills in conflict resolution.
• Work is 100% in-person.

Physical and Cognitive Demands

• Regularly required to sit or stand continuously.
• Regularly communicate clearly in-person, over the phone, and via written communication, including communicating with dissatisfied or angry individuals throughout the duration of a shift.
• Capable of reading physical and electronic documents and working for prolonged periods on a computer monitor.
• Fine motor skills sufficient to grip and manipulate paper, operate a telephone, and operate a computer mouse and keyboard.
• Reaching and gross manipulation capabilities sufficient to pick up and use standard office supplies.
• This position may require lifting, carrying, pulling, or moving objects up to 10 pounds consistently, 20 pounds frequently, and exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally.
• Learn, recall, and apply specialized information.
• Work effectively when exposed to workplace stressors, such as emotional and/or confrontational individuals.
• Effectively perform frequent task-swapping and work with frequent interruptions.
• Regularly work effectively in the presence of visual, auditory, or other distractions.

Tools and Equipment

• Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, copy machine, etc.).

Travel

• Occasional travel may be required, and is typically local or regional, to meet with clients, conduct business, or attend training.

Click Here for more details on reasonable accommodations, safety, risk management and more.

Benefits

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department offers an excellent pay and benefits package, combined with the opportunity to provide innovative Public Health services to our community, making this a rewarding place to work!

Salary: Salary ranges are listed on the job announcement and are based on the unique skills, education, and experience for the position. Salary offers are typically made at the starting pay step and are reviewed annually. You will get an annual cost-of-living adjustment that increases the salary range as well as an annual step increase on your anniveristy date. All salary offers are subject to administrative approval.

Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance: The Department pays a significant portion of these premiums for employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children, with an FTE of .80 or greater. Employees with an FTE between .50 and .80 pay a pro-rated portion of their premiums. Medical, vision and dental coverage begins the first day of the month following date of hire.*

Life Insurance: The Department provides a term Life Insurance policy equal to the employees annual salary, up to a maximum of $50,000.* Affordable voluntary, spouse, and dependent life insurance is also available.

Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD): The Department provides a base LTD policy which provides 40% income replacement for participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 180 days. Buy-Up LTD is available at group rates and provides 60% income replacement to participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 90 days.

Retirement: Eligible employees participate in the Tacoma Employees Retirement System (TERS). TERS is a defined retirement benefit plan funded by both the employee and the Department. We also have a 457 Deferred Compensation retirement program available which allows individuals to set aside a portion of their income on a tax deferred basis.

Additional Benefits include: Generous paid vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave, Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, On-site Fitness Center, Commute Trip Reduction program, Worksite Wellness Program, Direct Deposit; Service Awards, Safety Program / Rewards, Executive Benefits Plan and more.

• Temporary Employees (hired for greater than 2 months): The Department provides medical, dental, and vision benefits, $12,000 base life insurance effective the first of the month following 2 months of employment. Paid vacation, sick leave and holiday leave accrual begin following 6 months of temporary employment.

Please Note:

• There may be restrictions to the above benefit programs or policies not listed. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
• Employee pay is distributed through Direct Deposit. For this reason, employees are required to have an open checking or savings account, at their choice of banking institutions, upon employment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. For assistance, contact our Office of Human Resources/Risk Management at hr@tpchd.org or (253) 649-1660.

01

This position requires an Associates Degree in Chemical Dependency, Substance Abuse, the Social Sciences, or its academic equivalent. Please indicate your education level.

• Masters Degree or higher in Chemical Dependency, Substance Abuse, the Social Sciences, or its academic equivalent
• Bachelors Degree or higher in Chemical Dependency, Substance Abuse, the Social Sciences, or its academic equivalent
• Associates Degree or higher in Chemical Dependency, Substance Abuse, the Social Sciences, or its academic equivalent
• Less than an Associates degree in Chemical Dependency, Substance Abuse, the Social Sciences, or its academic equivalent

02

This position requires the Washington State Substance Use Disorder Professional Certification. Do you have a current Washington State Substance Use Disorder Professional Certification?

• Yes
• No

03

Please list your Washington State Department of Health Chemical Dependency certification number and Expiration Date. If you do not possess this certification, please indicate n/a.

04

This position requires one year of work experience at facilities approved by the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery affording familiarity with client assessment, intervention, and counseling in drug addiction treatment as a chemical dependency counselor. (In accordance with Washington Administrative Code 440-22-220.) Additional education may substitute for one year of work experience. Please indicate your full-time years of experience at facilities approved by the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery:

• 8 or more full-time years of experience as stated above
• 6 - 8 full-time years of experience as stated above
• 3 - 5 full-time years of experience as state above
• 1 - 2 full-time years of experience as stated above
• Less than the required 1 full-time years of experience as state above

05

How many years of experience do you have working in Medications for Opioid Use Disorder programs, such as methadone/buprenorphine?

• 10 or more years.
• More than 7 and less than 10 years.
• More than 5 and less than 7 years.
• More than 3 and less than 5 years.
• More than 1 and less than 3 years.
• 1 year or less.
• I dont have this experience.

06

Please describe your experience working in medication-assisted treatment programs, such as methadone. If you do not have this experience, please indicate n/a.

07

This position will work 4 - 10-hour days, typically from 5:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Are you able to arrive on time and commit to this work schedule?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

Address 3629 South D St.

Tacoma, Washington, 98418

Phone 253-649-1660

Website https://www.tpchd.org/i-want-to-/jobs/employment/employment-opportunities