The Substance Abuse Counselor is part of the mental health team at our Mission Center of Excellence (for HIV care) with Mission Neighborhood Health Center. The Substance Abuse Counselor is responsible for providing substance use services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Services are delivered primarily in Spanish.

The SF Department of Public Health, through a multi-year contract, funds this position.
Si a la Vida –Integrated HIV Services offers a continuum of HIV services to diverse Latino communities in San Francisco, including HIV prevention and mental health services. Our goals are to support Latinos in reducing their risk of HIV infection and transmission; to improve the quality of life of those living with and at risk of HIV; and to reduce stigma related to HIV, sexual orientation and gender identity. We accomplish this through client-centered, nonjudgmental, culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Essential Job Duties are, but not limited to the following:

• Conduct substance abuse assessments and develop individualized care plans in collaboration with other providers
• Provide outpatient substance abuse counseling based on individual care plans
• Provide case management services based on individual care plans
• Work closely with psychotherapist, medical care providers, case managers, and other staff to achieve treatment goals regarding substance abuse and HIV care
• Provide direct linkage, navigation and accompaniment to other substance abuse and related services as needed
• Facilitate a weekly psycho-educational group utilizing a harm reduction model
• Maintain proper notes and documentation in clients’ electronic medical record, and comply with HIPPA and standards of care guidelines
• Submit monthly client data reports
• Participate in clinical supervision and attend required trainings and agency meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills 

• Two years minimum of substance abuse counseling experience with a similar population
• Must speak Spanish and English fluently (the majority of clients are Spanish speaking)
• Experience working with people living with HIV, immigrant communities, and socially and economically
  disadvantaged Latino communities
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation of groups and workshops
• Demonstrated competence in creating spaces that are affirming of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expression
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative, as well as foster team work

Education, Certification and Licenses

• Two (2) years of substance abuse counseling experience and is currently working towards their Substance Abuse Counseling Abuse Certification OR Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
• Must pass and maintain annual Tuberculosis Test
• Must pass Department of Justice Fingerprint screening
• Must provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination upon hire (reasonable accommodation requests will be considered)

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time non-exempt position with benefits. The hiring range for the Substance Abuse Counselor I position is $25.00 - $27.00 hourly, depending on qualifications and experience. 

All full-time positions at IFR are 35 hours per week and are eligible to participate in medical health benefit plans including dental, vision, sick leave, thirteen paid holidays and on-going opportunities for learning.

To Apply

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume in a Word or PDF format to:  [email protected] Please note that both a resume and cover letter are required for consideration.

Instituto Familiar de la Raza, is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, culture, age, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. People of color are encouraged to apply.