Social Worker-Chemical Health

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Social Services
HOURS: Full Time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $70,518 - $79,333/year (Salary Grade 108)
FULL SALARY RANGE: $70,518 - $110,185/year
LOCATION: Hybrid; telework and in-person at the Northern Service Center in West Saint Paul (primary location), Law Enforcement Center in Hastings and in the field visiting clients.
UNION: AFSCME
CLOSE DATE: 4:30pm on 9/10/2025

Come join us at Dakota County and "Be more". Dakota County employs over 2,000 skilled individuals whose talents and contributions makes Dakota County a premier place to live and work. The work County government does is unique. Dakota County offers important careers - the kind of careers that make a difference in people's lives.

Dakota County welcomes and is inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and perspectives. The County aims to reflect the community and clients it serves and fosters an equitable and respectful working environment where everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.

Under supervision and within state, federal and county regulation, Chemical Health Social Workers complete comprehensive assessments and treatment coordination for Dakota County residents in a variety of settings and across the lifespan. Our team receives referrals from the law enforcement center, Dakota County school districts, drug courts, Community Corrections, Social Services and contracted providers. This position involves collaborative treatment and coordination with clients, withdrawal management, hospitals and community resources.

NEED TO HAVE QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or related Human Services field

• One year of full-time professional experience OR Two years of paraprofessional experience working in a human service-related agency

• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in the State of MN or licensure eligible within six months of hire

• Valid Driver's License

• Previous work with clients in a licensed 245G program
• Previous work with clients in a mental health field
• Previous experience working in a county social services agency
• LADC licensed for three or more years
• Previous experience working in a correctional setting
• Experience serving adolescents
• Experience assessing and treating tobacco use disorder

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Complete comprehensive assessments for individuals with a substance use concern, serving adolescents and adults.
2. Assess an individual's current need for treatment and assist them with appropriate treatment program recommendations and referrals.
3. Consult with individuals, families of substance-dependent persons, and other agency staff and professionals in the community.
4. Provide treatment coordination, including but not limited to meeting with individuals at their corresponding treatment programs, coordinating a continuing care plan as they transition out of current treatment settings, assisting with access to resources and coordinating services in the community.
5. Assess and evaluate individual strengths and needs, including safety and risk, to develop a least-restrictive treatment plan. Develop and implement case planning, and evaluate, document and monitor client progress toward goals.
6. Assess mental health and chemical health needs, collaborate and coordinate with other community service providers based upon needs and level of services provided.
7. Provide person-centered treatment and coordination to individuals and assist them in reaching their recovery goals by addressing barriers to success. Work with clients to decrease adverse health, social and economic consequences of substance use.
8. Provide prenatal treatment coordination to pregnant women; help them gain access to needed medical, social and educational resources on prenatal issues and fetal development. Promote the health of recipients and foster independent compliance with health care services.
9. Demonstrate a commitment to support cultural diversity across Dakota County, actively support Dakota County's inclusion, diversity, equity and access initiatives, and work to address the needs of diverse and underserved communities.
10. Maintain and apply knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, statutes and professional practices.
11. Complete agency, state and federal required documentation as related to client activity according to mandated timelines.
12. May provide support to the adult services intake, mental health assessment, prepetition screening and vulnerable adult/adult protection program areas including being cross trained to provide assessment for Rule 79 mental health targeted case management and conduct vulnerable adult investigations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Responsibilities 1-11 are essential job functions.

• Knowledge of ASAM criteria.
• Knowledge of chemical health, human development, family dynamics and systems, including crisis management and cultural humility.
• Knowledge of community resources and funding sources.
• Knowledge of medical diagnoses, medications and basic medical terminology, as well as medical insurance processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of statues, rules and policies pertaining to social work, substance use disorder treatment and the ability to research the same.
• Comprehensive knowledge of computer software and information systems.
• Interviewing, negotiation and listening skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, co-workers, and supervisors, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may be other than English.