CLINICAL COUNSELOR (SUBSTANCE ABUSE) TIER II/III - NF4 Job in Twentynine Palms, CA

Vacancy No. 71182 Department U.S. Marine Corps
Salary $41.35 to $44.71 Grade 04 to 04
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/17/2024 Close Date 6/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Twentynine Palms, CA


Summary

Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) is looking for the best and brightest to join our Team! MCCS is a comprehensive program that supports and enhances the quality of life for Marines, their families, and others in the Marine Corps Community. We offer a team oriented environment comprised of military personnel, civilian employees, contractors and volunteers who keep the organization functioning smoothly and effectively.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to Public

Duties

Incumbent serves as the clinical counselor for the Substance Abuse Counseling Center (SACC), Substance Abuse Program (SAP), Marine and Family Programs, Marine Corps Community Services and works under the overall supervision of the SACC Director. Performs a variety of professional tasks related to substance misuse service planning, community referrals and consultations, and in-service training. Performs screening and assessment, conducts education and non-medical counseling for active duty military and their eligible family members as space permits. Develops in conjunction with the SACC Director and appropriate staff, advocacy and outreach services to meet the needs of the installation/community. Assists with Quality Assurance projects as required. Receives general supervision from the SACC Director and Clinical Supervisor who allows the clinical counselor freedom of action in managing assigned caseload. Makes independent professional decisions and recommendations with a minimum of regular supervisory guidance.  

Provides thorough assessment, non-medical counseling and support services, and consultation services to clients who present for care with substance misuse and risk factors. Coordinates with community referral resources in the development of specific treatment programs. Interviews individuals and family members to explore and analyze factors influencing personality development and family structure in relation to the development of symptomatic behavior patterns and complicated interpersonal problems. Determines facts and conditions surrounding the difficulties in coping with various life situations and draws conclusions as to the underlying causes/contributing factors of the problems and the associated consequences to individual clients and their families. As appropriate, obtains additional social and personal information from significant others in the client's lives to ascertain the full scope and impact of the problems presented. Analyzes and evaluates the information obtained and makes use of other social and medical consultation resources as required. Independently devises workable individual service plans (e.g., individual counseling, family counseling, referral for higher level of care, etc.) and provides direct non-medical services using a wide variety of techniques for the resolution of personal, social, or environmental difficulties related to substance misuse. Make referrals to other social or medical resources, as appropriate. Uses skills in individual, marital, family, and group counseling to assist clients in understanding, accepting, and alleviating their problems.  Provides continuing supportive services to clients and families.  

Participates in training as required. Attends conferences and meetings of professional and other relevant associations. Keeps the Director and/or Clinical Supervisor informed on potential issues and concerns that can affect the viability of the SAP. Provides Critical Incident Reports (CIRs) to the Director when warranted.  

Performs various administrative duties in support of services provided; Keeps up-to-date on clinical training and closely related areas in the field, with an emphasis on substance abuse intervention, assessment, and treatment through membership in professional societies, continuing education, training, and literature. Compiles statistical data of services provided for review and analysis by supervisor; assists with quality improvement projects as assigned.  

Provides World Class Customer Service with an emphasis on courtesy. Assists customers and communicates positively in a friendly manner.  Takes action to solve problems quickly.  Alerts the higher-level supervisor, or proper point of contact for help when problems arise.  Adheres to safety regulations and standards.  Promptly reports any observed workplace hazards, and any injury, occupational illness, and/or property damage resulting from workplace mishaps to the immediate supervisor.  Adheres to established standards of actively supporting the principles of the EEO program and prevention of sexual harassment. 

Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • See Duties and Qualifications

EVALUATIONS:

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Required Degree: Must possess a master's degree from a college or university with a program nationally accredited in: social work or psychology, marriage and family therapy, licensed professional counseling, or in a related behavioral health field. 

Required Licensure:  Highest licensure by a State or National regulatory board that authorizes independent clinical practice that is current, valid, unrestricted and in good standing in at least one of the following: clinical social work, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, or clinical psychologist that meet the DoD requirements. Must provide a photocopy of licensure with their application. 

Required Experience:

  • Tier II must have engaged in 2 years full-time, post-masters supervised clinical experience.
  • Tier III must have engaged in at least two years post-master's degree supervised clinical experience and at least two years, full-time clinical experience post independent licensure

Required Certification: Must achieve certified substance abuse counselor (Alcohol and Drug Counselor II, International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium substance abuse counselor certification, or state equivalent) within 36 months of hiring.

Full professional knowledge of standard and accepted theories, methods, principles, practices, and techniques of clinical supervision, as well as of individual, marital, family, and group counseling.  Additionally, the incumbent must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities of the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria and the American Society of Addiction Medicine's Patient Placement Criteria (ASAM-PPC).  

Ability to teach counseling techniques for substance misuse to assist clients in moving towards a healthy lifestyle. Ability to review and evaluate a wide range of training aids and materials.  Skill and ability to review and analyze client's biopsychosocial history to develop complete and full-length individualized service plans. Must be able to properly document interview findings and provide a narrative of primary presenting issues.  Ability to assess the needs of the clients, counsel clients in recognition of their substance misuse and the consequences and recommend techniques and goals during the service phase.  Ability to present higher level command briefings, court testimonies, and conduct liaison, in-service, etc.  Ability and skill to prepare accurate written case documentation involving multiple individualized service goals and more complex cases, general correspondence, congressional correspondence, and staff papers. Familiarity with the DSM so that clients with a medical diagnosis are referred to appropriate medical services.  

Will be required to obtain a clearance at the Tier 3 level to satisfy IT Level II designation access and enter information to the Alcohol and Drug Management Information Tracking System 
(ADMITS), if access is to ADMITS is required to fulfill the requirements of this position. Appointment and continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of the security investigation. 

In accordance with SECNAVINST 1754.8, will be required to obtain a tier II or tier III credential and clinical privilege by submitting an application to the HQMC credential and review board. Official offer is contingent upon receiving credential and privilege.  

NOTE:  This position is identified as a Test Designated Position (TDP).  The incumbent is subject to random drug testing because duties must be performed with a high level of productivity, reliability and judgment to prevent adversely affecting personnel safety, and causing risk/damage to government property, and/or significant adverse impact to day-to-day operations.   

This position may eligible for occasional telework, as determined by local level policy.  This position is not eligible for full-time remote work. 

Additional information

Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your MCCS user account and review your application status.

SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION: If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, government employment requires that you must register with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions. You must be able to show proof of registration or your exemption, as part of the required suitability background investigation.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Applicants are assured of equal consideration regardless of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, GINA, political affiliation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, marital status, physical handicap which has no bearing on the ability to perform the duties of the position. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

It is Department of Navy (DON) policy to provide a workplace free of discrimination and retaliation. The DON No Fear Act policy link is provided for your review: https://www.donhr.navy.mil/NoFearAct.asp.

As part of the employment process, Human Resources Division may obtain a Criminal Record Check and/or an Investigative Consumer Report. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI). For all positions requiring access to firearms or ammunition, the Federal Government is prohibited from employing individuals in these positions who have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, or a felony crime of domestic violence adjudged on or after 27 November 2002. Selectees for such positions must submit a completed DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition, before a final job offer can be made.

Direct Deposit of total NET pay is mandatory as a condition of employment for all appointments to positions within MCCS.

This activity is a Drug-free workplace. The use of illegal drugs by NAF employees, whether on or off duty, cannot and will not be tolerated. Federal employees have a right to a safe and secure workplace, and Marines, sailors, and their family members have a right to a reliable and productive Federal workforce.

Involuntarily separated members of the armed forces and eligible family members applying through the Transition Assistance Program must submit a written request/statement (may be obtained from the MCCS Human Resources Office) and present ID card with "TA" stamped in red on front of card.

IF APPLICABLE, INDIVIDUALS SELECTED FROM THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE CHANGED TO PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME AT MANAGEMENTS DISCRETION WITHOUT FURTHER COMPETITION.

ALL ONLINE APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 1159PM EASTERN TIME (ET) ON THE CLOSING DATE LISTED IN THE JOB POSTING.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. Benefits you get to enjoy while working at MCCS include but are not limited to:

•      Stability of Federal Civilian Service

•      People with passion for doing work that matters

•      Quality of Work Life Balance

•      Competitive Pay

•      Comprehensive Benefit Packages

•      Marine Corps Exchange and Base Facility Privileges

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application/resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. This vacancy will be filled by the best qualified applicant as determined by the selecting official.

Required Documents

Varies - Review "OTHER INFORMATION"

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted online via the MCCS Careers website: https://careers.usmc-mccs.org/psc/hprd/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=71182&PostingSeq=1. Resumes/applications emailed or mailed will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.  To be considered for employment, the application or resume must be submitted online by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please include the below list of required documents with your application:

  1. Education/certification certificate(s), if applicable.
  2. If prior military, DD214 Member Copy
  3. If you are an Active Duty Service member who will be retired from service within 120 days of the application date, you must submit a DD214 or Statement of Service with your application to receive further consideration for any regular part-time or full-time positions. In accordance with 5 USC § 3326, recently retired Servicemembers are subject to a 180-day waiting period before they may be appointed to Federal service, regardless of hiring authorities. When applicable and all requirements are met, those candidates must have submitted the required documentation at the time of their application before an agency can request a waiver.  

Be advised - the Family Member Employment Assistance Program (FMEAP) can help assist all Military affiliated family members and Veterans with their job search. The FMEAP offers a range of services, including job search assistance, resume support, mock interviews, and more. To access these resources, please call 760-830-4030 or email plmsppd@usmc.mil.
 

Agency contact information

TWENTY NINE PALMS MCCS
Address
TWENTY NINE PALMS MCCS
MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY SERVICES
ATTN: PERSONNEL OFFICER
TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA 92278
USA
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

All applicants who submit an application via our Careers page at https://careers.usmc-mccs.org will be able to view their application status online.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.