PRINCIPAL ALCOHOLISM COUNSELOR
 
DEFINITION:

 Under direction, provides individual or group counseling to clients or
 families who participate in a program involving the prevention, cure,
 or treatment of alcohol abuse; assists in supervising counselors;
 supervises and develops educational or service programs; provides
 public information concerning alcoholism programs; does other related
 duties.

 NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
 purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform
 all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties
 performed on the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

 Develops work programs and schedules for assigned personnel.

 Provides instruction and advice to other counselors in developing a
 treatment plan for clients.

 Supervises work of alcoholism counselors and interns assigned to
 inpatient cases.

 Conducts inpatient group sessions for alcohol dependent persons.

 Plans outpatient programs for families of alcohol dependent persons.

 Charts individual progress notes for inpatients and outpatient family
 group members.

 Attends initial clinical staff conferences and interviews new patients
 in unit.

 Apprises client's family of progress or special problems, and offers
 suggestions to family members.

 Keeps current with new developments in the field of alcoholism
 rehabilitation.

 Prepares reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendation.

 Supervises the maintenance of records and files.

 Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
 and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency,
 office, or related units.

 REQUIREMENTS:

 CERTIFICATION:

 Applicants must possess a certificate as a Certified Alcohol and 
 Drug Counselor (CADC), issued by the Board of Marriage and 
 Family Therapy Examiners, New Jersey Division of Consumer 
 Affairs, Department of Law and Public Safety.

 EXPERIENCE:

 Three (3) years of experience providing counseling or training
 involving the treatment and/or rehabilitation of alcohol- dependent
 persons or, in the prevention of alcoholism.

 LICENSE:

 
 Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid
 in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee
 mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

 Knowledge of the social and economic problems of alcohol 
 dependent persons.

 Knowledge of the physical and behavioral effects of alcohol.

 Knowledge of problems involved in supervision.

 Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques.

 Knowledge of the types of agencies available to provide 
 assistance in the rehabilitation of alcohol-dependent persons.

 Knowledge of signs, symptoms and causes of alcoholism.

 Ability to provide instructions and guidance to staff, and supervise
 their work performance.

 Ability to read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations
 regarding alcohol abuse.

 Ability to communicate effectively with individuals of varying
 backgrounds.

 Ability to evaluate and assess needs and problems of clients.

 Ability to establish an effective therapeutic relationship with
 clients.

 Ability to work harmoniously with associates, families, 
 individuals and social organizations.

 Ability to recognize appropriate treatment modalities.

 Ability to collect, identify and evaluate significant facts and 
 other information.

 Ability to plan and execute educational and service programs 
 regarding alcoholism.

 Ability to evaluate client progress.

 Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports.

 Ability to maintain records and files.

 Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording
 and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

 Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English
 sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign
 Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of
 communication.

 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as
 they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable
 accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation
 cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,
 such persons may not be eligible.

 This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
04424
L
C
  
N/A
24
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

 2/20/2008