AOD Counselor (Intake)

AOD Counselor (Intake)

In-Person Full-Time (40 hours per week) Position in Alameda, CA (Non-Exempt)

Who We Are

Ruby's Place dba Restorative Pathways (RP) is an innovative nonprofit committed to ending domestic violence, human trafficking, and violent crime through hope, advocacy and connection. Our services include emergency shelter, transitional housing, rental subsidies, mental health services, substance recovery, and wrap-around services. All our services are trauma-sensitive and client-centered and are provided at no cost to our clients. All programs are low barrier.  

RP is led by survivors with a focus on reflection, innovation, and connection.  We believe in fostering relationships, both in our direct service work and throughout our internal work culture. We aim to cultivate a workplace that appreciates and emphasizes the voices of those most impacted by violence. We recognize these voices are vital to interrupting the cycle of violence and transforming lives towards safety, unity, and trust.

Who You Are

You have a strong commitment to preventing interpersonal violence as well as an understanding of, and sensitivity to, serving diverse populations. You have excellent interpersonal skills and strong techniques for relationship building. You believe people should determine their own path towards healing, and have an orientation towards survivor-centered services.

You are comfortable being one of the first points of contact for prospective participants entering substance use disorder treatment. You know how to build rapport quickly, ask sensitive questions with care, and help individuals feel safe, respected, and informed during the intake process.

You are organized, detail-oriented, and able to document intake information clearly and accurately. You understand that intake appointments are not just administrative — they are a critical part of helping participants feel welcomed, assessed, and connected to the right services.

You are comfortable supporting outreach and engagement efforts within Restorative Pathways programs and, when needed, with outside organizations and referral partners. You can explain services clearly, build trust with staff and participants, and help create warm pathways into care.

You are a go-getter who enjoys fast paced environments. You enjoy working both collaboratively and independently. You are adept at time management and highly organized with a proven ability to ensure you can meet deadlines, plan, organize and execute. You are comfortable working as part of a team and are an accountable collaborator. You excel at organizing, prioritizing, and following through on multiple time-sensitive projects. You are flexible, creative, and take initiative in handling emergencies.

What qualifications are required for this position?

You Are Also:

• High school diploma required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred.


• Experience conducting intake appointments, screenings, assessments, or participant engagement calls preferred.


• Experience working in admissions, outreach, case management, or participant engagement within behavioral health, SUD, mental health, or social services preferred.


• Experience facilitating SUD groups for youth or adults preferred.


• Training or experience in relapse prevention, group facilitation, and trauma-informed care preferred.


• Strong ability to build rapport with prospective participants, especially individuals who may be ambivalent, hesitant, or new to treatment.


• Strong documentation skills and ability to complete intake notes, screenings, progress notes, and participant records accurately and on time.


• Comfortable conducting outreach presentations, program introductions, or participant engagement activities within partner organizations.


• Ability to provide substitute group facilitation coverage as program needs require.


• Ability to work effectively with adolescents, adults, families, and multidisciplinary teams.


• Must be registered with a DHCS-approved certifying organization CCAPP, CADTP, or CAADE prior to first day of employment.


• Full AOD certification required within 12 months of hire Riley Recovery Centers standard.


• Fully certified AOD counselors are strongly preferred at time of hire.


• CE requirements per certification board: 40 hours every 2 years.


• TB/Health screening annually.


• In possession of a valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance, and be approved by RP insurance as a driver in order to drive agency vehicles. If a staff member cannot be approved by RP insurance as a driver, employment might not be able to continue. Instances where staff cannot be approved to drive will be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine if employment can continue in their role without driving agency vehicles. Items considered include but are not limited to: the shift the staff member holds and the frequency/necessity of driving during that shift, the amount of time before the staff member may be approved to drive by the insurance carrier, the availability of other staff on site to drive agency vehicles as program needs require, etc.


• Able to complete all required background checks. Additional requirements may be deemed necessary, including fingerprinting Live Scan, completion of all Community Care Licensing CCL documents, and ability to meet CCL licensing requirements.

What You Will Do

The AOD Counselor — Intake & Engagement provides intake appointments, participant engagement, outreach support, group facilitation, relapse prevention education, and documentation support for Riley Recovery Centers’ substance use disorder programs.

A significant portion of this role will focus on conducting intake appointments with prospective participants seeking admission into the program. The AOD Counselor will help gather required intake information, assess participant readiness, support orientation into services, and ensure participants are connected to the appropriate program track and next steps.

This position will also support outreach and engagement efforts within Restorative Pathways programs and may participate in outreach with outside referral partners and community organizations. From time to time, this role may provide substitute group facilitation coverage for other AOD Counselors as program needs require.

The AOD Counselor delivers trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive SUD services consistent with DHCS Title 9, CARF, Medi-Cal, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and ASAM requirements.

Responsibilities include

1. Conduct intake appointments with prospective youth and adult participants seeking admission into SUD programming.


2. Gather required intake information, including participant demographics, substance use history, treatment needs, readiness for services, and relevant psychosocial information.


3. Support participant screening, orientation, and engagement to help determine program fit and appropriate next steps.


4. Help prospective participants understand program expectations, schedules, services, and next steps in the admissions process.


5. Document intake appointments, participant contacts, screenings, and engagement efforts accurately and timely in the EMR.


6. Coordinate with Program Directors, AOD Counselors, case managers, licensed clinicians, admissions staff, and other team members to support smooth participant entry into services.


7. Support warm handoffs from Restorative Pathways programs into Riley Recovery Centers’ SUD services.


8. Conduct outreach and engagement within Restorative Pathways programs to educate staff and participants about available SUD services.


9. Participate in outreach efforts with outside organizations, referral partners, and community-based programs as assigned.


10. Facilitate evidence-based SUD group sessions for youth and/or adults when assigned.


11. Provide substitute group facilitation coverage for other AOD Counselors at other Resorative Pathways locations when needed due to staff absence, schedule changes, or program needs.


12. Provide relapse prevention coaching, early recovery skills, psychoeducation, and participant support.


13. Support treatment plan development by providing recovery-focused input and participant goal tracking.


14. Document group notes, progress notes, intake notes, and other service documentation in compliance with DHCS Title 9, Medi-Cal, CARF, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2 requirements.


15. Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and support coordination of services.


16. Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards at all times.


17. Deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive, gender-affirming, and participant-centered SUD services.


18. Support overdose prevention and emergency procedures, including Naloxone readiness.


19. Participate in quality improvement activities, staff training, and program development.


20. Complete functional timesheets by assigned due dates in compliance with time allocations.


21. Actively participate in reflective supervision sessions.


22. Create and maintain documentation of processes and procedures related to job duties.


23. Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

This position is 100% in-person.  You must be able to stand for long periods of time and perform physical activities, including lifting up to 25 pounds. You will be subject to frequent interruptions and must be able to multitask and handle stress.  Local travel in the greater Bay Area may be required.

Local travel in the greater Bay Area may be required.

Applying

The pay scale for the this role is $33.65 per hour (non-exempt). The benefits that come with working at RP at full-time hours include medical, dental, and vision plans, a life insurance policy, significant vacation, sick time, restorative care time, and immediate vesting in our 403(b) with a generous match. Applicants must be located in the greater Bay Area.

Preference will be given to internal applicants. 

If all this sounds like a good fit for you, please submit your resume and, instead of a traditional cover letter, respond to the following prompts:

• Why do you want to work for RP and why are you a good fit for this role? (200 words max)


• Using the qualifications listed above (under Who You Are section), please list the top 5 qualification(s) that you feel you currently excel in and 2 qualifications you feel you will need to work toward proficiency. Please provide a brief explanation for each (a few sentences).


• In 1 sentence please describe your experience working with SUDs clients.