Sup, Substance Abuse Counselor
Listed compensation
$69k-$96k
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.
Job Location (Full Address)
2613 W Henrietta Rd, Brighton, New York, United States of America, 14623
Opening
Worker Subtype
Regular
Time Type
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Department: 500130 Psychiatry SMH Addiction Psych
Work Shift
UR - Day (United States of America)
Range
UR URC 213
Compensation Range
$68,577.00 - $96,012.00
The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
Responsibilities
The Substance Use Counselor – Lead (SU Lead) functions as a lead and coordinator of projects involving paraprofessional trainees doing field placements that provide service to patients. In clinical domains, they supervise 5-8 paraprofessional trainees during the year.
The SU Lead also functions clinically as a primary supervisor of paraprofessional trainees, contributes toward organizing the trainee environment, organizes the didactic seminars, leads the trainee cohort experience, and community building within the training environment.
Moreover, the lead is responsible for administering and collecting competency evaluations (trainees competency reviews) and didactic seminar surveys. Additionally, the lead is responsible for all record keeping and reporting as required by the Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Program.
To satisfy the requirements of the HRSA grant and DOL Apprenticeship Program, the lead will also be responsible for supervising 3-5 (Level 2) SU Counselor Assistants and/or SU Counselor 1 therapists.
Depending on need at Strong Recovery, the lead may directly supervise therapists at Strong Recovery and fulfill all grant and DOL responsibilities of the remaining apprenticeship (Level 2) therapists who may be hired in different clinics in the department but not provide direct clinical supervision to anyone who is hired outside of Strong Recovery.
As Lead, they provide leadership and supervisory support to trainees within a multidisciplinary group of clinical staff, as appropriate. The Lead may collaborate on policy and program development, operations management, and plan program activities for their assigned clinical program area.
The SU lead is an integral member of the clinical team, providing oversight of trainees on psychosocial assessment, crisis intervention, resource consultation, and treatment.
Coordinates and collaborates with Strong Recovery’s CASAC training supervisor, consults with other CASAC supervisors within Psychiatry or collaborating sites as it pertains to the training program and grant.
Subscribes to the Department’s goal of creating a culturally competent and inclusive environment by treating trainees, patients, research subjects and co-workers in a sensitive and caring manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences. Participates in available cultural competence and inclusivity events and trainings.
SCHEDULE: M-F 7am-4:30pm
Essential Functions
Provide supervision to 5-8 paraprofessional trainees (Level 1) and 3-5 SU Counselor Assistant and SU Counselor 1 therapists across assessment, intervention and treatment to patients to help stabilize patients and maintain mental wellness.
Provides clinical leadership to the training environment, including staff within the clinical program. Exercises considerable independent judgment with respect to assessment and treatment of psychiatric patients in clinics and outreach settings.
Will complete all required tracking, data reporting, and work closely with the Psych Therapists Chief/PI of the Para Professional grant to meet required deadlines and reporting metrics.
Functions as Team Leader or coordinator of processes/projects as it pertains to the training environment of paraprofessionals and therapists. Provides supervision and contributes to the evaluation of an interdisciplinary group of staff.
Assists in onboarding activities for paraprofessional trainees and Level 2 apprenticeship therapist staff in the service including policies and procedures as well as clinical teaching/orientation, training requirements.
Oversees trainees and therapists documentation regarding interventions and treatment recommendations within patient's chart for compliance with Division, Department and Hospital policy.
Assists in supporting and/or leading the trainees and therapists participation in didactic seminars, advanced certificate in addictions counseling classes, in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, which may include discussion of clinical cases and documenting minutes from those meetings. Provides coverage and accessibility for intakes, vacations, sick calls, as needed.
Maintains a clinical caseload, conducts intakes/evaluations, assessments, individual and group therapy sessions, consults with family members as clinically indicated. Provides case consultations to the multidisciplinary treatment team, and utilizes experiences with therapeutic interventions as a teaching mechanism for training paraprofessionals.
Participates in activities of the Department and assigned Division including, but not limited to, ensuring policies and procedures are implemented with regard to paraprofessional trainees and therapists professional practice, discharge planning and patient care, timely completion of time reporting and other Hospital or Department forms; Hospital and Department mandatory in-service training programs.
Oversees the paraprofessional trainees and therapists documentation regarding all interventions and contacts in patient's chart in compliance with Division, Department and Hospital policy. Facilitates Department and Hospital quality assurance and staff development activities.
Subscribes to the departmental goal of creating a culturally competent environment by treating patients, families, trainees, and co-workers in a sensitive manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences.
Promotes continued staff education around multicultural factors, which affect care and treatment of patients.
Participates in available cultural competency events and training appropriate to job duties & ensures trainees receiving relevant cultural competency trainings as part of their didactic or training experience for field placement.
Responsible for ensuring assessment of safety in the clinic to ensure a safe and caring environment for trainees, patients and staff. Involves other mental health treatment providers as necessary in interventions. Ensures that trainees follow proper treatment and referral protocols are followed with respect to child abuse, domestic violence, consultation with specialty clinics, and referral both within and outside of SMH
Assists the Psych Therapists Chief in any duties assigned that support internship programming across the department of psychiatry
Minimum Education & Experience
Master's degree in a human services discipline (Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Creative Arts Therapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, Public Health Administration) and 5 years combined clinical and supervisory experience, including both chemical dependency experience and specific MICA treatment experience required
Or Equivalent Combination of Education and Experience
Prior experience working in a psychiatric care setting and working with adult and/or pediatric and adolescent populations (preferred).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (preferred)
Knowledge about and ability to provide supervision for paraprofessional trainees (e. g., CASAC, LMHC, LMSW) on behavioral health assessments/evaluations and evidence based interventions.
- Commitment to and routine demonstration of biopsychosocial approach to care of individuals and families
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible and responsive in rapidly evolving health care environments.
- Dedication to delivering a team-based integrated model of care
- Demonstrates cultural humility and anti-racism values and works toward ensuring all patients feel welcome.
Licenses and Certifications
New York State or National Credential/Certificate in addiction-related specialty upon hire required and
CASAC Certification Upon Hire Required
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better.
In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics).
This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a human services discipline and possess at least 5 years of combined clinical and supervisory experience in chemical dependency and MICA treatment. A valid CASAC certification and an addiction-related specialty credential are required upon hire.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 5+ years of experience
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% are remote, 42% have no call, 64% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$82k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $76k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.4 / 10 · above average in substance use / addiction counselor | ranked against 1,008 Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $69k–$96k | Substance Use / Addiction Counselor median $60k (middle half $55k–$63k)11 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$76k in purchasing power | New York index 107.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings in New York | 801 active | 13,555 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 38% remote · 42% no call · 64% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | New York Counselor listings: 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 10% offer loan repayment801 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Addiction Medicine listings | 437 in the last 30 days | 275 the 30 days before (+59%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| University of Rochester | #10 of 16 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Sup, Substance Abuse Counselor at University of Rochester 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.
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