Episcopal Community Ser logo
Episcopal Community Ser
San Diego, California

SUD Counselor - Central East Regional Recovery Center

CounselorNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$24-$32/hr

The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only

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

Posted 4mo ago

Job Description

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

About ECS/ Why work for us?

We want you to apply because we believe everyone can make a positive impact. By joining ECS, you will directly improve the lives of children and their families and those facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders in San Diego. Your unique skillset will be embraced as we work to break systemic barriers and create a more equitable society. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of others!

Mission: Our mission is to break barriers and transform communities through programs rooted in our tradition of action and faith in God.

Purpose: Our purpose is to cultivate a strong, vibrant, and just San Diego region.

Vision: Our overall vision is to have an abundant and equitable society where all have unlimited potential.

General Description

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, SUD Counselor provides counseling and case management services to clients requesting SUD treatment, including screening, assessment, referrals to treatment, group counseling and individual counseling sessions as needed.

Essential Functions

  • Participate in a unified team approach to the provision of SUD treatment.
  • Conduct individual counseling sessions.
  • Conduct screenings, assessments and referrals utilizing the ASAM tool.
  • Conduct group counseling sessions.
  • Conduct client education sessions.
  • Maintain accurate, complete, timely and legible program records following Drug Medi-Cal Standards.
  • Monitor and document participant’s program compliance.
  • Performs drug testing urinalysis specimen collections and screening as required.
  • Provide case management services in client’s homes, treatment settings, and other community locations.
  • Participate in Court meetings as necessary.
  • Performs other duties as needed.

Education & Experience

  • REQUIRED: Current registration or certification from a California State Substance Use Disorders (SUD) certifying agency.
  • At least one year of professional experience providing direct, indirect, or support services for alcohol and drug programs dealing with individual recovery or alcohol and drug problem reduction.
  • Experience with clients with co-occurring disorders, including substance abuse.
  • Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Special/Other

  • Must pass criminal background check through, Live Scan fingerprinting, FBI and Department of Justice
  • Must have CPR certification or be willing to acquire on the job.
  • Must be free of debarment.
  • ECS requires pre-hire medical clearance including drug/alcohol and TB screening.

Compensation Range

$24.00 to $28.00 Hourly (registered counselor)

OR $28.00 to $32.00 Hourly (certified counselor)

Key Responsibilities

The SUD Counselor provides counseling and case management services, including screenings, assessments, and individual or group therapy sessions. They are also responsible for maintaining program records according to Drug Medi-Cal Standards and performing drug testing.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a current registration or certification from a California State SUD certifying agency and have at least one year of professional experience in alcohol and drug programs. A background check, medical clearance, and CPR certification are also required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

SUD CounselingProgram DocumentationSpanish Bilingualism

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 32% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$54k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $49k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates SUD Counselor - Central East Regional Recovery Center at Episcopal Community Ser a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Substance Use / Addiction Counselor — ranked against 1,008 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Top Counselor Jobs

47 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution47 jobs · 36 employers

15
<$85k
14
$85k-105k
12
$105k-125k
6
$125k-145k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks34 jobs

401k / retirement match
91%
CME allowance
41%
Sign-on bonus
38%
Loan repayment
12%
PSLF eligible
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

LifeStance Health · San Diego, California

$117k-$134k
#2

Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

LifeStance Health · Ventura, California

$117k-$134k
#3

Psychotherapist, Behavioral Health

$94k-$132k
#4

MCRT Licensed Team Lead LCSW LMFT LPCC - Mental Health 639

$107k-$132k
+ 45 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.4
Better work-life than 70% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

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

  • No weekends
  • No nights

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.

Episcopal Community Ser logo

About Episcopal Community Ser

Individual and Family Services
National City, CA
201-500 employees