The Substitute Student Assistance Counselor provides short-term as needed coverage in school settings experiencing a vacant Student Assistance Counselor position or staff absence. The primary purpose of this role is to ensure continuity of essential Student Assistance Program Services, including student screening, brief intervention, crises response support, and coordination with school and community partners. The role is not intended to replicate the full scope of a permanent Student Assistance Counselor. Substitute counselors focus on maintaining core services, supporting existing prevention, intervention, and youth leadership activities and ensuring student safety and compliance with program requirements. This is a per diem position and assigned as needed.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Provide program continuity
• Meet with students referred for services. 
• Administer substance use and behavioral health screening tools as required
• Conduct focused, time-limited CRAFFT Screener to inform recommendations and referrals
• Provide brief evidence-informed individual or group interventions to students as appropriate
• Support the continuation of existing prevention and intervention groups 
• Respond to substance use related concerns or student crises during the school day
• Communicate with parents or caregivers as needed
• Make referrals to school-based or community mental health and substance use treatment providers
• Document all services, contact and screenings in required electronic data systems
• Maintain confidentiality
• Collaborate with school administrators, student support staff and supervisors to ensure appropriate coordination of care
• Participate in required supervision and check-ins during the assignment period.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in a behavioral health field such as social work, counseling or psychology
• Experience working with adolescents in school community or behavioral health settings
• Knowledge of substance use prevention, early intervention and referral practices
• ability to exercise sound professional judgement, manage crises and maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• strong verbal and written communication skills
• Comfort using data systems
• Rhode Island Student Assistance Certification (CSAC) preferred but not required for substitute coverage