Substance Abuse Counselor

Summary

This position is located with the Great Plains Area Youth Regional Treatment Center (GPAYRTC).The primary purpose is to support adolescents in managing alcohol and other substances, preparing them for reintegration into their families and communities. Services are provided in collaboration with a clinical team and includes individual, group, and family counseling and educational programming. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

09/09/2026: This position is being re-announced to solicit additional candidates. Applicants who previously applied to this announcement need not re-apply unless submitting updated information and/or missing forms. Provide direct patient care substance abuse counseling services in the forms of individual counseling, facilitation of inpatient groups, case management and other direct patient care duties. Provides the care needed to furnish continuing intervention services to patients, but are not limited to, assessment, treatment planning, individual and group therapy for residents and their families, educational presentations, therapeutic interventions, and follow-ups. Utilize substance abuse skills and exercise informed professional judgement in the process of assessing clients, evaluating situations, considering alternative courses of action in relation to their needs and circumstance. Collaborates with the treatment team and/or clinical supervisor, develops clinical/ therapeutic materials, which may include, but are not limited to, group therapy curricula/ agendas, format(s) and content.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. Individual Occupational Requirements: Positions in this series for which other requirements have been established are identified separately. Basic Requirements Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR- Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. -OR- Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-07: Applicant must have completed 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement -OR- Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Provides therapy and assistance to individuals and families in dealing with Alcohol and other Drug dependency and related problems. Participates in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings, providing updates to staff about resident behavior to track and ensure residents progress in treatment. GS-09: Applicant must have completed 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree -OR- Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Provides outpatient treatment services and coordinates/monitors inpatient treatment, which involves being aware of a large number of factors regarding the patient, family, and community, and balancing all the needs and resources in a complex interaction. Experience with patients who require treatment to alleviate the disruptive behavior associated with Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse dependency, to resolve related problems, and to establish a life-long recovery process. Combination of Graduate Education and Professional Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. Selective Factor: Applicant must have professional knowledge and proficiency in development of assessments, diagnosis, treatment plans, aftercare plans and case management as evidenced by possession of an active, unrestricted license as a Licensed Addiction Counselor or Licensure equivalency as identified through the International Certification and Reciprocity consortium (IC & RC). The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain any licensure requirements. If licensure are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has an education requirement. If you are substituting education for experience; You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.