Substance Abuse Counselor - SAPC
Listed compensation
$57.5K - $59.5K
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
- Level: Experienced
- Job Location: L8 - Van Nuys, CA 91406
- Position Type: Full Time
- Education Level: High School
- Salary Range: $57,500.00 - $59,500.00 Salary/year
- Travel Percentage: Up to 50%
- Job Shift: 1st Shift
- Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services ID#C8422AUnder supervision and as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team, to provide substance use disorder assessment/evaluation, supportive services including case management, plan development, community reintegration and group/individual counseling to individuals meeting outpatient level of care services
Familiarity with Harm Reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational interviewing techniques required in order to promote wellness and recovery for all individuals served. Provide linkage and referral to treatment, residential placement, detoxification services and sober living placement. Provide community referrals to address additional issues as they arise unique to each client.
Responsibilities
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss each case, treatment and level of care. Conduct comprehensive assessments, using the ASAM triage and assessment tool for all participants enrolled in the program.
Collaborate with clinical treatment staff to determine what supportive service would best meet the presenting needs of the client. Providing on-going assessment and service plan development to address substance use/dependence and relapse prevention with the goal of self-sufficiency and decreased substance use.
Follow-up services to participants who have been referred to a treatment agency. Document on a daily basis all available slots in the SBAT (SAPC Tool). Conduct weekly psychoeducational groups related to various substance use disorder topics. Determine level of treatment compliance and mental health stability.
Provide referrals for detoxification, treatment and sober living availability. Complete CES Packets and other field-based documentation with prospective clients and provide linkage to appropriate community programs.
Attend all Program specific meetings including weekly all staff meetings, treatment team meetings, Center Co-occurring meetings and other meetings in the community necessary to job duties. Perform other duties as assigned by Program Director.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate must have Certification with either CADDE or CADAAC, CADTP. Familiarity with computers and Microsoft Word programs. Additionally, knowledge of The ASAM Criteria and assessment desirable.
Ability to communicate and work with a culturally diverse adult population as part of a multi-disciplinary assessment, referral and case management team. Ability to speak Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of related community resources for treatment of substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence.
Must have a current California driver’s license and be insurable by the Center’s auto insurance carrier. Individuals in recovery with at least two years of sobriety are encouraged to apply.
We offer: 2K Sign on bonus A team-oriented work environment Training opportunities Excellent compensation and benefits Paid time Off - 12 holidays; generous sick and vacation time Feel proud of being bilingual $2K for bilingual bonus. Health care, dental, life insurance, 403b retirement. Career Development
Key Responsibilities
The counselor will provide substance use disorder assessment, supportive services including case management, and group/individual counseling to clients receiving outpatient level of care. Key duties involve participating in treatment team discussions, conducting comprehensive ASAM assessments, developing service plans, and making necessary referrals for treatment and community resources.
Requirements
Candidates must possess certification with CADDE, CADAAC, or CADTP, and familiarity with computers and Microsoft Word is required. Desirable qualifications include knowledge of The ASAM Criteria, the ability to speak Spanish, and a current, insurable California driver's license.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 38% have no call, 74% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$59k 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).
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Abuse Counselor - SAPC at SAN FERNANDO VALLEY COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Substance Use / Addiction Counselor — ranked against 1,008 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings on WeekdayDoc.
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