Substance Abuse Counselor

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$50k-$70k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 56m ago · Verified live

Job Description

South Central Mental Health is currently recruiting a Substance Abuse Counselor. Must have LCAC, LAC or LMAC. The population we serve includes children, adults and families with diverse backgrounds and diagnoses. Must be license eligible in the state of Kansas.

Benefits: $2,000 Sign on bonus for 12-month commitment, 401(k) participation, 401(k) 5% salary match after one year of employment, eligible for paid vacation after six months of employment and accrual begins at hire date, paid sick leave accrual begins at hire date, employer paid life insurance and LTD after one year of employment, low-cost employee health and vision insurance options, no cost employee dental coverage, and 10 paid holidays per calendar year.

National Health Service Corps Site. South Central Mental Health also offers opportunities for obtaining clinical supervision and CEU's.

Basic Job Responsibilities

  • 1. Provide substance use assessments/evaluations
  • 2. Provide individual, group and family treatment
  • 3. Collaborate with team and community partners to ensure quality care
  • 4. Maintain all professional credentialing requirements
  • 5. Adhere to the standards of ethics for mental health professionals
  • 6. Regular and predictable attendance is required
  • 7. Provide other duties as assigned

Physical, Educational, and Personal Requirements

Physical: Hear, speak and write in English clearly. Vision adequate to observe clients and make chart entries.

Education: Defined by license type; see staff credentials.

Personal: Detail oriented, good interpersonal skills, good communication skills, and good problem-solving skills. Must be able to remain calm and professional when addressing clients.

Other: Must have a valid driver’s license and meet agency insurance guidelines as this position requires ability to drive to agency centers and local community partner sites in order to meet the needs of consumers and the community. Reliable transportation is required. Must pass a criminal background and driver’s license check to the satisfaction of SCMH, KDADS and licensing agencies.

This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add to or change the duties at any time

SCMHC is an equal opportunity employer

Key Responsibilities

The counselor will provide substance use assessments and deliver individual, group, and family treatment services. They are also responsible for collaborating with community partners and maintaining professional credentialing standards.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an LCAC, LAC, or LMAC license and be eligible for licensure in Kansas. A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to pass background checks are required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance use assessmentIndividual treatmentGroup treatmentClinical documentationProfessional ethicsCrisis management

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 54% are remote, 32% have no call, 72% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Kansas is 90.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$60k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $67k in an average-cost state. 61.0% of Kansas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

34 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution34 jobs · 14 employers

8
<$80k
3
$80k-95k
4
$95k-110k
17
$110k-125k
2
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks32 jobs · 14 employers

401k / retirement match
100% this job
Sign-on bonus
47% this job
CME allowance
22% this job
Loan repayment
13%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

LifeStance Health · Modesto, California

$117k-$134k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Madison, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
+ 32 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 3.0
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.

Living in El Dorado

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$185k≈ 3.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$838/mo≈ 20% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
18 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
88.9
State income tax
Up to 5.7%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Wichita, KS metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

South Central Mental Health Counseling CTR logo

About South Central Mental Health Counseling CTR

Mental Health Care
Augusta, Kansas
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

$2,000 Sign-on bonus for 12-month commitment
401(k) participation
401(k) 5% salary match after one year
Paid vacation after six months
Paid sick leave
Employer-paid life insurance and LTD after one year
Low-cost health and vision insurance
No-cost dental coverage