Substance Use Counselor
Listed compensation
$55k-$58k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
- Salary: $55,000-$58,000
- Schedule: 8am-4pm/9am-5pm
The Substance Use Counselor provides supervision to residential staff while developing staff skills in responding to complex issues such as co-occurring disorders, substance use and trauma. The Substance Use Counselor will conduct assessments and provide therapeutic services to residents requiring additional support as a result of co-occurring disorders and/or traumas.
Who We Are
At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges.
We’re a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated.
At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where everyone can grow and thrive.
- Minimum Education Required
- Bachelor's Degree
Responsibilities
- Collaborating with staff, provide high quality evaluations, individual and group clinical services.
- Support persons served by utilizing strategies including Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral for Treatment (SBIRT), Stages of Change model, Motivational Interviewing, and Harm Reduction.
- Support clinical staff within the team concerning the area of Addiction Recovery.
Demonstrate a proactive commitment to maintaining effective communication with staff and customers to facilitate and promote effective working relationships and customer service.
Ensure that clinical services are being delivered and documented in accordance with Advocates’ clinical philosophy and all licensing and regulatory bodies.
- Attend and actively participate in trainings as assigned; maintain necessary certifications and licenses.
- Liaise with other community provider and related agencies, and develop community resources.
Qualifications
- LADC I preferred
- The following alternative credentials and experience will be considered in lieu of a LADC I
- LADC ll, CADAC l, CADAC ll
- BS/BA or MA with 2 years of experience in an addiction treatment setting
- Training and/or Certification as a Recovery Coach
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Ability to contribute independently to and thrive within a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Strong organizational, scheduling and prioritizing skills, and ability to multitask. Outstanding reasoning and problem solving abilities.
Must hold a valid driver's license, have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport clients.
Strongly prefer a candidate that will have a demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally diverse populations.
Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.
We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview or hiring process, please contact Human Resources.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Use Counselor at Advocates a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 35% of all Addiction Medicine counselor listings evaluated on our platform. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 58% are remote, 38% have no call, 86% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$57k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $53k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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