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Mental Health Systems
San Diego, California

SUD Counselor

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$26-$30/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 32m ago · Verified live

Job Description

At TURN our mission is Improving Lives. Our organization embraces the tenets of client-centered care, and our core values People, Culture and Growth are at the forefront of everything we do. We hire exceptional individuals seeking meaningful opportunities in a purpose-driven environment.

Job Summary

Assessment, treatment plan, individual and group counseling, care coordination, training, SUD recovery skills and education, and relapse prevention.

Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

  • Interventions including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, collateral services, and other relevant recovery-related services. Conduct intake assessments, including ASAM assessments, level of care assessments, and diagnostic determinations. Treatment plans and evaluate progress.
  • Complete accurate and timely documentation as contractually required and meet minimum requirements for direct billable client services.
  • Conduct chart and treatment plan reviews to ensure compliance with agency, federal, state, and local government standards, and monitor client progress and changing needs throughout treatment.
  • Support and encourage client’s family-significant others to participate in client stabilization and program services, offering referrals as needed.
  • Facilitate placement including pre-placement visits and transportation as needed.
  • Maintain confidentiality of client’s care.
  • Participate in scheduled program meetings.
  • Other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • SUD Certification from a recognized board preferred; Minimum of SUD registration required.
  • Valid CA driver’s license and current auto insurance per contract requirements required.
  • Experience providing substance use disorder services preferred.
  • Cultural competency understanding required.
  • Bilingual preferred.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office and EHR software preferred.

Physical Requirements

These physical demands represent what must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this

position. As mentioned above, reasonable accommodation may be made for qualified disabilities.

Seeing Hearing Speaking

Stooping/Bending Working in cramped spaces Moving around facility

Moving between offices/clients Driving Climbing

Lifting/carrying heavy items Pushing/pulling/dragging items Standing for long periods

Working outside/underground Using hands/fingers Sitting for long periods

I Can Perform the Above Functions

Without accommodation With accommodation. If so, please specify:

Other Duties

This job description isn’t a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required for this job.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employee signature constitutes an understanding of the job requirements, essential functions, and duties.

TURN is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religious creed, and sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical

conditions).

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Substance Use Disorder CounselingTreatment PlanningCase Management

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 54% are remote, 26% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$58k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $53k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution38 jobs · 29 employers

11
<$90k
9
$90k-105k
6
$105k-120k
9
$120k-135k
3
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks29 jobs

401k / retirement match
90%
CME allowance
41%
Sign-on bonus
31%
Loan repayment
14%
PSLF eligible
14%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Behavioral Health Provider (ASW/LCSW or AMFT/LMFT) - Napa

OLE Health · Napa, California

$88k-$138k
#2

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

LifeStance Health · Encinitas, California

$118k-$135k
#3

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$115k-$135k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
+ 36 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 1.5
Below most Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,008 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in San Diego

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.01M
Typical market rent
$3,036/mo
Residents’ average commute
24 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.9
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.