Substance Use Disorder Specialist
- Summary
The goal of the Jail Health Services Division (JHS) is to assure that basic health and human services are available to the incarcerated population in the King County adult correctional facilities. They provide a broad range of health care—including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine for individuals with opioid use disorder.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a team that is dedicated to having an immediate and lasting impact on their community.
Lived experience is deeply valued. Individuals in recovery and those who have had personal experience with the criminal legal system (and are not under any current jurisdiction) are encouraged to apply.
Term-Limited Temporary positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last for two years. However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity.
For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employees in King County who have completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.- Job Duties
- Provide outreach, screening, assessment, brief-intervention, and psycho-educational support services to patients receiving MOUD services.
- Assist participants referred through Coordinated Discharge with resources, referrals, and navigating and attending appointments in the community, especially those that are thought to improve treatment retention. This includes activities such as outreach, maintaining contact with patients, and escorting and arranging transportation directly to the treatment provider upon release.
- Facilitate shared treatment decision making with participants in part by providing education to participants on the in-jail and in-community options to treat opioid use disorder.
- Advocate for participants while in custody and as they transition back to the community, including assisting with enrollment in healthcare coverage and disability-related benefits, linkage to substance use disorder treatment, accessing community resources, and communication with the criminal legal system.
- Assist participants with navigating and attending appointments in the community, especially those that are thought to improve treatment retention. This includes activities such as outreach, maintaining contact with patients, and escorting and arranging transportation directly to the treatment provider upon release.
- Use a trauma-informed, harm reduction, and strengths-based approach when working with patients.
- Provide and monitor cash incentives if any for eligible participants.
- Document patient contact and services delivered in electronic health record system.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Experience
- At least 2 years of experience working with individuals with substance use disorders and legal system involvement
- Registered as a Substance Use Disorder Professional under WAC 440-22-240
- Must possess valid Washington Driver’s License to drive a county vehicle.
- Knowledge of intake and assessment techniques and case management practices
- Knowledge of community resources and referral agencies appropriate to services offered
- Knowledge of trauma-informed and client-centered care principles and approaches
- Knowledge of harm reduction principles and approaches
- Knowledge of recovery-oriented principles and approaches
- Knowledge of anti-racism principles and approaches
- Skill in written and verbal communications
- Skill in working and building rapport with people of color and other diverse groups
- Skill in outreach and screening program participants
- Skill in understanding and interpreting complex program regulations
- Skill in developing effective intervention plans
- Ability to travel on a flexible schedule as needed
- Supplemental Information
- Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) EmployerNo person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.To Apply: If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.Application process: Applications will be reviewed after the job posting closes. The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line or paper application
- Supplemental questionnaire responses
- Resume
Please do not use "see resume" in your application or answers to supplemental questions as these will be considered incomplete.Please do not copy and paste your entire resume, or copy and paste your entire job history, as your answers to the supplemental questions as these will be considered incomplete.You may attach multiple documents if you wish:- Copy and paste one or more documents into the text resume section of the application.
- Attach multiple documents/files in the resume attachment section.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the standard information in the application. Providing information only in a resume will not be considered a complete application. Your application materials must validate your answers to the supplemental questions. If your answers cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the process.The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation. In the event the job classification requires an exam; an offer of employment will be contingent on passing a pre-employment physical exam and must maintain security clearance.Supplemental Information:This selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing and interviewing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs/applying.aspxPublic Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.Applicants from this job posting may be used to fill temporary or other positions in this classification for a period of up to a year.Additional Information: Public Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:- Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
- Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or,
- Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.
Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone.The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.Who May Apply: This full-time Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty position is open to all qualified applicants.Work Schedule: 40-hour work week including weekend and evening shifts. The work associated with this position may be performed through a combination of teleworking) complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.Union affiliation: The position is represented by Local 8.Contact: For more information about the application process please contact Molly Jensen at molly.jensen@kingcounty.gov.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
-
01Do you have at least 2 years of experience working with individuals with substance use disorders and legal system involvement?
- Yes
- No
02If you answered yes to question #1, please describe your experience. If you answered "NO," please type N/A.03Are you a registered as Substance Use Disorder Professional (formerly Chemical Dependency Professional) in Washington State?- Yes
- No
04Describe your treatment philosophy and how you approach your work with clients.05In your opinion, what are the top two challenges a Substance Use Disorder Professional faces when one of their patients is about to begin a new treatment program? (whether it's their first time or hundredth time in treatment) Provide specific examples of how you addressed each of these challenges.06Describe something you've learned and now do differently when working with clients who are different from you (e.g., race, gender identity, age, religion, income, sexual orientation, ability level, etc.)07Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant And Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
08If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question