County of Alameda

CORE Program Assistant (#6511)

Bargaining Unit: SEIU 1021 - Hospital Para Prof (008)
$37.53-$44.65 Hourly / $2,814.75-$3,348.75 BiWeekly /
$6,098.63-$7,255.63 Monthly / $73,183.50-$87,067.50 Yearly

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DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, oversees the daily operational activities and programmatic services for clients participating in Santa Rita Jail (SRJ) Re-Entry and Support Services/ Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) coordinated re-entry programs; provides a variety of paraprofessional counseling services; recommends appropriate referrals; provides facilitation for a variety of re-entry-focused specialty groups; participates as part of the treatment team; and performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The CORE Program Assistant classification is located in the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) CORE, Behavioral Health Unit (BHU). This classification is responsible for assisting re-entry clients with their daily activities, including facilitating substance abuse groups, facilitating parenting groups, referring clients to services, and coordinating program activities. Employees are also responsible for supporting the ACSO CORE BHU with locating resources for clients, tracking available resources for clients, and informing the BHU team of available resources for their clients.

The CORE Program Assistant is distinguished from the CORE Clinical Therapist in that the latter are licensed clinicians responsible for providing a wide range of psychological, therapeutic, and clinical services to clients.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each employee in the classification may not necessarily perform all duties listed

Receives referrals from sworn personnel for individuals and/or families requesting resources to address their family’s needs.
Collaborates with SRJ Re-Entry and Support Services to identify resources for re-entry individuals and provides support groups inside SRJ.
Provides individual and/or group psycho-educational counseling to re-entry clients and their families in collaboration with the primary clinician and/or clinical team.
Coordinates and facilitates peer support groups, educational groups, and classes for re-entry clients.
Engages re-entry clients and develops relationships based on recovery practices and principles.
Assists in assessing and determining wellness needs of re-entry clients and assists clients and clinicians in accessing those services.
In collaboration with clinical staff, provides interventions from the treatment plan that may include daily living skills, skill development, budgeting, supporting housing efforts, supporting vocational goals, and supporting physical and mental health needs.
Assesses for crisis and risk; communicates signs and behaviors to clinical staff in a timely manner.
Responds appropriately to crises involving re-entry clients, identifies appropriate interventions and takes effective actions in collaboration with clinical team and/or clinical supervisor.
Identifies essential re-entry client resources and refers to other departments, agencies or community resources for appropriate treatment, services, and supports.
Assists re-entry clients with the completion of forms and applications for benefits and other services.
Documents services provided per departmental Quality Assurance standards and Medi-Cal requirements and submits billing in a timely manner.
Serves as a liaison and resource specialist, with knowledge of a variety of county, community and peer support resources in Alameda County.
Participates as an active member of treatment teams, including attendance at staff meetings, case conferences, and other meetings as necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Successful completion of a training program in mental health, alcohol and other drug, health and wellness, social work, peer counseling or a closely related field.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of one (1) year of experience in a law enforcement, outpatient facility, vocational, hospital, or other clinical or agency setting providing mental health, alcohol and other drug, vocational, or wellness counseling and referral services to clients, including groups, individuals and their families.

License:

Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Special Requirements:

In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in this classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day of employment.

Must pass a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office prior to appointment to positions in this classification.

Employees in this classification must be able to work effectively in an environment in which they may encounter sensitive/confidential information and data that may contain explicit or disturbing content.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

Theory, principles, and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy.
The mental, physical, emotional, and social needs of re-entry clients with mental health, physical health, and/or substance abuse issues.
Principles and techniques of mental health and/or alcohol or other drug treatment and recovery principles and practices.
Principles of risk assessment, crisis intervention, and treatment.
Harm reduction principles and techniques.
Behavioral health programs, community organizations and resources, and peer support networks in the local community.
Cultural and social factors impacting behavior patterns.
Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
Computer applications related to the work.

Ability to:

Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, community resources, and organizations.
Function effectively in a highly structured law enforcement environment and adhere to established policy, procedure, and protocol.
Interpret, explain, and apply regulations, policies and procedures.
Organize and prioritize work to meet critical deadlines.
Interview, secure, and systematically record accurate personal health and social information to help determine client needs.
Develop effective and productive therapeutic relationships with clients.
Work with a diverse population.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Write and speak effectively.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspecs:

EL:jf 9/12/2017

CSC Date: 10/25/17

SA:saa Revised/Retitled 08/07/2024

Old Title: Youth and Family Services Program Assistant

CSC Date:10/30/2024

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Share the Savings
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

12 paid holidays
Floating Holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual
Vacation purchase program
Catastrophic Sick Leave
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program
Guaranteed Ride Home
Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
Child Care Resources
1^st United Services Credit Union

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.