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Westcare
Richmond, California

Substance Abuse Counselor (51396)

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

Salary Range: $28.00/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 4mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: Richmond - 208 23rd Street - Richmond, CA 94804Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: High SchoolSalary Range: $28.00 - $28.00 HourlyJob Category: Nonprofit - Social ServicesPOSITION SUMMARY: Person in this position will be responsible for the counseling, group facilitation and case management of clients enrolled in the program.

Essential Job Functions include those listed below. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Deliver individual and group counseling services, case management services, education and community outreach services, and referrals to appropriate services and community resources as necessary.

Oversee and provide intake and program orientation for the client and family members including, but not limited to, assessment of psychological and social functioning and the development, implementation, and ongoing review of the clients’ Individual Treatment Plans.

Participation in facilitating ancillary services, i. e., family support groups, family education groups, continuing care, networking with community agencies, developing and updating referral and resource information, etc. Maintenance of individual client treatment files in accordance with agency policies and procedures, including documentation of vocational/educational activities as well as all other pertinent documentation.

General client supervision including facility operations, planning, and scheduling therapeutic activities. Preparation of client progress reports, when necessary. Interaction with the criminal justice system and/or referral sources, when necessary.

Must Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation; and Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Excellent communication skills. Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.

Ability to work well in a team environment. Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality. Professional appearance and demeanor. Must be sensitive to populations served. Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a successful criminal background.

Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required. CPR Certification, First Aid Certification, and an annual Tuberculosis test. Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal history background check.

As mandated by the State of California those employees who work at Residential, Outpatient, Sober Living, provide Mental Health Services, Administrative Staff or Transitional Living Facilities must be fully vaccinated and have received a booster.

Employees that have requested a Medical or Religious Exemption, which has been approved by Human Resources will be required to test for the virus weekly.

During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years of experience in providing direct counseling services to persons with alcohol and/or drug problems is preferred. Graduation from an accredited two-year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, or related field is preferred.

High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION: Alcohol and Drug Registration and actively pursuing Certification, in good standing by an agency approved and recognized by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is required at time of hire; Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently Certified.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is primarily performed in a residential treatment facility. Transportation of clients in company vehicle; and Some outdoor activities may be required. Must be able to de-escalate crisis situations.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for providing individual and group counseling, case management, and intake assessments for clients in a substance abuse program. The role involves developing individual treatment plans and coordinating with community resources and the criminal justice system.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma and Alcohol and Drug Registration, with a preference for a degree in Addiction Counseling or a related field. Candidates must have a valid driver's license and be able to pass a criminal background check and vaccination requirements.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual CounselingCrisis De-escalationTreatment PlanningIntake Assessment

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% are remote, 34% have no call, 54% 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).

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Salary Distribution41 jobs · 24 employers

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks33 jobs · 24 employers

401k / retirement match
97%
Sign-on bonus
39%
CME allowance
30%
Loan repayment
15%
PSLF eligible
9%

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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.

  • On-site

Living in Richmond

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$629k
Typical market rent
$2,575/mo
Residents’ average commute
34 min
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.

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