Job Details

Job Posting: Substance Abuse Specialist

The State of Hawai'i is seeking candidates for the position of Substance Abuse Specialist. This is an immediate permanent, full-time vacancy located in Waipahu to Aiea and Hawaii State Hospital (HSH) in Kaneohe. This job posting will remain open until 30 applications are received. Please apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time. Salary: $5,369 to $6,535 per month - (SR-22, Step D to I). Hiring rates will be based on availability of funds, the applicant's qualifications, and other relevant factors.

Duties Summary

The Substance Abuse Specialist serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary team comprised of certified or licensed practitioners, social workers, and/or other public or private rehabilitative employees, groups or agencies collaborating on multi-disciplinary assessment, development and implementation, and evaluation of individualized treatment plans aimed at helping users overcome their alcohol and/or substance use; independently conducts a variety of educational, treatment and therapeutic related classes; and participates in the development, evaluation, and modification of program policies and procedures, treatment approaches, and development and modification of substance abuse treatment education and related therapeutic classes and curriculum.

These Substance Abuse Specialist IV positions represent the senior-level substance abuse specialist responsible for independently providing the most intensive and continuous professional substance abuse counseling, education and rehabilitative services for the most complex cases; and perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Legal Authorization to Work: The State of Hawaii requires all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.

Knowledge of fundamental concepts of pharmacological properties and effects of psychoactive substances on users; fundamental concepts of behavioral, psychological, social and health effects of psychoactive substances on users; alcohol and drug use continuum in individuals; varying causes of addiction; the relationship between substance use and infectious diseases; the effects of chronic substance use on individuals and the collateral effect on their families, significant others and communities.

Basic Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Specialized Experience: Two and one-half (2-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience which involved assessing individuals and developing individualized treatment plans for alcohol and/or drug use intervention; and providing substance abuse counseling and education to individuals and/or groups in an alcohol and/or drug treatment program. Such experience must have demonstrated knowledge of the goals, objectives, principles, methods, standards, and techniques of substance abuse treatment.

Driver's License: Some positions require possession of a valid driver's license at the time of appointment.

Relevant substitutions as described in the Minimum Qualification Requirements, will apply.

Other Information

The State of Hawai'i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations in completing an application, any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please call 808-###-#### for assistance.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF) PROGRAM The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS The Department of Human Resources Development (HRD) will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs. Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email-box in a timely manner. In addition, please be aware that you may no longer receive notification about applications submitted if you choose to disable the Job Application Emails feature in your Account Settings.

TESTING INFORMATION The examination for this recruitment will be conducted on an unassembled basis where the examination score is based on an evaluation and rating of your education and experience. It is therefore important that your employment application provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position you held. In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing is a requirement, applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are referred to the vacancy must be available to participate in-person and at their own expense in this required phase of the selection process. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. In addition to employment availability and score, the referral of qualified applicants may be based upon other factors including date of receipt of the application.

Your Job Benefits With The State Of Hawai'i

The State of Hawaii offers its employees who are members of the civil service a range of benefits. Some benefits are offered as a result of collective bargaining agreements and changes may occur. A summary of these benefits, which is based on full-time employment, is listed below:

Paid Holidays: You may be eligible for 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year.

Paid Vacation: You may earn vacation leave at a rate that other employers find tough to match 21 days each full year from the FIRST year of employment. This compares to an average of 10 days offered by private companies. You may accumulate up to a total of 90 days (720 hours) of vacation.

Paid Sick Leave: You may earn sick leave at the same rate as vacation 21 days per year from the FIRST year, and there is no limit on the amount you can accumulate. Expectant mothers may also use sick leave for pre-natal or post-natal check-ups or any illness related to pregnancy. Plus, unused accumulated sick leave may eventually be used to increase your retirement benefits in certain situations.

Other Leaves: Reasonable time off with pay may be provided for jury or witness duty, a death in the family, some military duty, and donation to the Blood Bank. Leave sharing donations may be granted to eligible employees who have serious personal illnesses or injuries or need to care for a seriously ill or injured family member. Various leaves without pay may also be granted with full re-employment rights.

Health Insurance: The State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Dental Plan. For more information, visit the Employer Union Trust Fund website www.eutf.hawaii.gov for coverage and options.

Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees.

Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees under the Hybrid Plan with 10 years of credited service and who have reached 65 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and have reached 60 years of age may retire and receive benefits. To find out more about the options you have, go to

Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.

Transportation Benefits: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct qualified transportation expenses (i.e. eligible parking fees, monthly bus passes for TheBus, fare coupons for The Handi-Van, Vanpool Hawaii participation fee, etc.) through pre-tax payroll deductions.

Deferred Compensation: The State offers employees a voluntary pre-tax retirement savings plan designed to give employees a tax break today and an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several types of investment options are available.

Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.

Social Security: As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee's social security account.