Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor

CounselorNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$29-$33/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Special Service for Groups, INC.

  • Job Announcement
  • Title: Certified SUD Counselor Division: HOPICS

FLSA: Non-Exempt/Full time Supervisor: Drug Medi-Cal Program Manager Pay Range or Rate: $29.00 - $33.00 per hour Revised: 6.17.26

Summary

Certified SUD Counselor: Under the direction of the DMC Program Supervisor the Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor will provide individual and group services to the DMC Program clients. Certified SUD Counselor will conduct intakes/assessments, treatment planning, individual counseling services within scope of practice, and recovery services, up and to discharge.

Essential Functions

Substance Use Disorder Counselor Will Provide

  • Will provide group and individual SUD counseling services utilizing evidence based practice theory.
  • Will provide case management/care coordination services
  • Will facilitate in collaboration with SUD clients to develop and complete all necessary documents for treatment planning, and implementation.
  • Will facilitate in collaboration with SUD clients to develop and implement relapse prevention plans.
  • Will provide services in both English and Spanish as required based on clients’ needs
  • Will document progress notes daily (within 24 hours of service) to capture all activities for each Drug Medi-Cal client.
  • Will input client data into the designated EHR/PCNX system.
  • Will administer drug tests/UA/Toxicology to Drug Medi-Cal clients while following the correct protocols and procedures.
  • Will meet or exceed 70 percent productivity as outlined by SSG.
  • Will be able to document in accordance with established standards of care on a daily basis.
  • Will maintain boundaries, adhere to SSG's Code of Ethics and HOPICS' Core Values, and represent the agency in a professional manner at meetings and community events.
  • Maintain files/records on client services in compliance with HIPAA & CFR42 and other funding requirements for auditing purposes
  • Participate in weekly supervision (group/individual)
  • Incumbent must be able to work with people experiencing homelessness.
  • Incumbent must display the ability to work effectively with adults with co-occurring substance use, history of abuse, as well as mental /physical/developmental disabilities
  • Able to work with clients from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, in Spanish to provide treatment to Spanish speaking clients.
  • Ability to motivate/communicate effectively with individuals receiving SUD Counseling/Treatment
  • Will participate in all required meetings, training, collaborations, and Behavioral Health Team meetings within the program and be prepared to discuss, educate, present or evaluate the nature and progress of presenting issues
  • Will attend other meetings, training sessions, and seminars as needed to effectively perform duties affiliated with this position

Secondary Functions

  • Perform other duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor, Senior Manager, Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services and/or Division Director
  • Provide support to administrative and data-related information technology department functions
  • Overtime, holiday, or weekend work is required as assigned Minimum Qualifications - Knowledge. Skills and Abilities Required
  • Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check.
  • 5 years of SUD Counselor work experience
  • Knowledge of DSM-V Substance Abuse Criteria
  • Knowledge of 12 step programs
  • Ability to manage group settings
  • Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
  • Experienced on Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Must be a Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor with the approved certifying board, CAADE,

Ccapp, Cadtp

  • Annual TB test clearance
  • Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles
  • Drivers license is required with the ability to show proof of valid and up to date car insurance.
  • Reliable transportation
  • If in recovery, a minimum of three (3) years of being drug and alcohol free is MANDATORY.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

  • Knowledge: Of Addictions, and effects/ symptoms of drug/alcohol choices. Skills: level of competency or proficiency needed for task performance
  • Abilities: trait or capability necessary to perform the job
  • Proficient in providing substance use disorder treatment in both English and Spanish a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This person has no supervising duties.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

This position will require extensive interaction with homeless individuals, individuals with severe mental and physical disabilities, the possibilities of individuals with infectious diseases, and other possible dangers associated with working in areas of high crime. You may be exposed to aggressive hostile clients. Incumbent must be ready to deal with traumas which may trigger personal trauma, must work in conjunction with other collaborative staff members, communicate with several sources including courts, Department of Children and Family Services, Law Enforcement, and other community agencies Physical Requirements

  • The incumbent typically spends time sitting, standing, typing, thinking, writing, walking, driving, listening, and speaking.
  • Must have the ability to lift up to 25lbs

Mental Requirements

The incumbent to be able to perform effectively under any and all of the following: unpredictable situations, crisis, constant distractions, interruptions, uncontrollable changes in priorities/ work schedules, be able to process information, think and conceptualize. You must be able to effectively deal with personal trauma that may be triggered.

Special Service for Groups is an Equal opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer

Key Responsibilities

The counselor will provide individual and group substance use disorder services, including intakes, assessments, and treatment planning. They are also responsible for case management, daily progress documentation, and facilitating relapse prevention plans.

Requirements

Candidates must be a Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor with at least 5 years of relevant work experience. A valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and the ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish are required.

Qualifications

Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance use disorder counselingCrisis interventionEHR systemsDrug testingBilingual SpanishMotivational interviewingDSM-V criteriaMicrosoft ExcelHIPAA compliance

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 46% are remote, 18% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$64k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $58k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

35 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution35 jobs · 26 employers

8
<$90k
11
$90k-110k
9
$110k-130k
6
$130k-150k
1
$155k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks29 jobs · 26 employers

401k / retirement match
93%
CME allowance
38%
Sign-on bonus
34%
Loan repayment
3%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Dental Therapist

InterDent Service · Salem, Oregon

From $155k
#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
+ 33 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 3.9
Better work-life than 30% 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

Living in Los Angeles

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$923k
Typical market rent
$2,778/mo
Residents’ average commute
31 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
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 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Special Service for Groups, Inc- HOPICS logo

About Special Service for Groups, Inc- HOPICS

Non-profit Organizations
Los Angeles, California
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Overtime, holiday, or weekend work as assigned
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred