Treatment Counselor
Listed compensation
$26.88 per hour
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
$26.88 per hour
At CoreCivic, we do more than manage inmates, we care for people. CoreCivic is currently seeking Treatment Counselor who has a passion for making lasting changes in the lives of offenders, as we set the standards of care in the industry.
The successful candidate should be able to perform ALL of the following functions at a pace and level of performance consistent with the actual job performance requirements.
Interviews and assesses prospective program participants, and gathers data using appropriate screening and assessment instruments. Establishes rapport with participants and determines individual and group needs based on results of screening and assessment instruments and other collateral sources.
Facilitates individual and group treatment interventions, in accordance with CoreCivic partner agencies, and prevailing state regulations, statutes, policies and procedures. Uses standardized offender assessment information in developing treatment plans or specific programs.
Facilitates participant engagement in the treatment process, promoting positive attitudes, skills, coping mechanisms to encourage on-going recovery. Plans participant incentives and uses appropriate therapeutic tools to manage behavioral issues or concerns.
Maintains the confidentiality of clinical files for each participant to include, but not limited to, intake documents, assessment(s), and interview(s), treatment plan, treatment plan reviews, progress notes, discharge summary, and referrals, according to written protocols and in compliance with prevailing laws and regulation(s).
Documents and tracks treatment plans, monitors inmate progress and reviews status of inmates/residents to verify that treatment and therapeutic programs are completed.
Qualifications
Graduate from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or a closely related field is required.
- One (1) year of experience in the mental health or substance use counseling field is required.
- Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
- Where applicable, must possess appropriate licensure/certification.
- A valid driver's license is required.
- Minimum age requirement: Must be at least 18 years of age.
- CoreCivic is a Drug-Free Workplace & EOE including Disability/Veteran.
Key Responsibilities
The Treatment Counselor facilitates individual and group treatment interventions while maintaining clinical files and monitoring inmate progress. They assess participants using standardized instruments to develop and implement effective treatment plans.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
Key Skills
Substance Abuse Counseling — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 36% are remote, 36% have no call, 68% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Tennessee is 91.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$56k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $61k in an average-cost state. 58.6% of Tennessee clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Counselor pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.8% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Treatment Counselor at Core Civic a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 10% in Substance Abuse Counseling — ranked against 54 active Substance Abuse Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc.
Location & Logistics
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$56k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$4k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.
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