Chemical Dependency Counselor

CounselorIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$28-$30/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 6mo ago

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: Barstow Clinic - Barstow, CA 92311Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $28.00 - $30.00 HourlySummary: Applicant must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Health Counseling, or Behavioral Science is preferred.

Be certified in the State of California as an Alcoholism/Drug Counselor with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in social service. Experience working with families in both intensive outpatient and inpatient setting, along with knowledge of the 12-Step support system within a treatment and recovery program.

Must have CPR (BLS Provider) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross. California Driver’s License with a safe driving record, DMV record required. Must be insurable by the program’s insurance carrier.

The position requires a flexible schedule, including the ability to work evenings and weekends, and the ability to travel as needed to meet client and program needs.

The Chemical Dependency Counselor performs and models comprehensive counseling functions and assists in the coordination of client case management in an outpatient program, previous intensive counseling and program treatment to clients and families suffering from the disease of alcoholism or other chemical addictions, and coordinates a multi-faceted substance abuse prevention program.

Must be able to work with the Indian community and be sensitive to the Indian culture and its needs. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Performs counseling duties in all areas of alcoholism/chemical dependency at all clinics within RSBCIHI by: Assuming responsibility for an assigned caseload of clients.

Interviewing, evaluating, and making treatment recommendations. Conducting individual and group counseling sessions. Developing initial treatment plans in conjunction with the client. Supervising all substance abuse client discharge plans. Preparing individual client discharge plans.

Prepares all monthly reports (ATGS, CADDS, etc.), and presents them to BHS Director on the 4th working day of each month. Maintains a central log/file on ATGS Reports from IHS, for the BHS Department. Insuring that all required documentation and consents are completed prior to the start of treatment within RSBCIHI.

Orienting clients and families to program schedules. Completing clinical charting in client records and observing client responses to treatment and recording such in progress notes, using accepted format (SOAP) Presenting to clients and family members information of treatment concepts, objectives, and goals.

Performing crisis substance abuse intervention. Conducting 12-step groups including Alateen. Meets with the interdisciplinary staff to give and receive recommendations for continued client care by: Recommending revision of treatment plans and methods where needed.

Discussing referrals to community mental health services, inpatient primary care where needs for treatment of alcoholism or other drug addictions. Participating in quality assurance activities as assigned. Participating in cross training with non-BHS staff.

Maintains a current listing of extended care facilities Participates in on-call status to meet client needs. Maintains and models a close working relationship with referral sources and agencies in the community by: Assuring professional contacts to assure optimum services to the client and community.

Visits all referral sites (i. e., RTC, Inpatient day treatment facilities). Assisting with site visitations by specific individuals or groups for orientation. Maintaining positive regard for and working knowledge of AA/NA/Al-Anon and other 12-step programs.

Clinically and professionally supports the 12-step program of AA/NA/Al-Anon within the Native American community. Reinforces the philosophy of RSBCIHI in both professional and clinical areas.

Coordinates the RSBCIHI substance abuse prevention program by: Coordinating a program, which adequately addresses substance abuse prevention.

Developing a substance abuse program, which addresses the unique needs of Indian youth substance abusers, and emphasizing prevention of alcohol and drug abuse among young Indian people.

Developing a substance abuse program that alters the environment of high-risk individuals, particularly youth from an environment that promotes substance abuse to one who rejects it.

Coordinates the RSBCIHI Substance Abuse Prevention Program by: Establishing a program, which emphasizes traditional Indian cultural values, including spiritual values, and an alternative to behavior patterns which promote substance abuse and as a source of strength for the recovering abuses.

Working closely with other departments to enhance future and current drug free environment. Completes other duties as directed.

Qualifications

Education: Applicant must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Health Counseling, or Behavioral Science is preferred. Certified in the State of California as an alcoholism/drug counselor, with a current IAAC II and/or CADC II certification.

Experience: Two years of applicable work experience. Experience working with families in an intensive outpatient and inpatient setting. If a recovering substance abuser, a minimum of four years of abstinence from mind-altering chemicals.

Skills Evidence of strong interpersonal, clinical, and written communication skills. How the 12-step support system functions in treatment and recovery. Must have thorough knowledge of Indian culture.

License Current CPR (BLS Provider) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross. Certification may be obtained prior to orientation. Valid California Driver’s License with a safe driving record, DMV record required. Must be insurable by the program’s insurance carrier.

Ability To To Travel within the RSBCIHI organization Coordinate a comprehensive prevention program including program planning and implementation experience, developed skills on safe recreational activities in a drug-free atmosphere, the ability to coordinate events with outside agencies, the ability to guide and develop Indian youth in traditional crafts like pottery and art work, etc. Provide personal transportation.

Work a flexible schedule. Program activities will be scheduled to accommodate the Indian youth and availability of facilities. Weekend and evening schedules should be considered usual and necessary. Must be able to work with the Indian Community, and be sensitive to the Indian culture and its needs.

Physical Demands: The position requires that the incumbent be physically fit and capable of participating and instructing recreational activities which may require strenuous activity. Work involves the routine risks and discomforts of traveling.

Appointment Type: Full-Time, Grant-Funded, Non-Exempt Compensation: $28.00–$30.00 per hour ($58,240–$64,400 annually, depending on experience and internal equity) Clinic Location: Barstow Clinic as Assigned Barstow Indian Health Clinic (170 Yucca Ave. Barstow, Ca 92311), with coverage to San Manuel Indian Health Clinic (11980 Mt. Vernon Ave. Grand Terrance Ca, 92313)

Key Responsibilities

The Chemical Dependency Counselor performs comprehensive counseling functions, assists in coordinating client case management within an outpatient program, and conducts individual and group counseling sessions for clients suffering from alcoholism or chemical addictions. Major duties include managing an assigned caseload, developing treatment plans, supervising discharge plans, preparing required reports, and conducting 12-step groups.

Requirements

Applicants must possess at least a high school diploma, with a Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Health Counseling or Behavioral Science preferred, and must be certified as an Alcoholism/Drug Counselor in California with a minimum of two years of relevant social service experience. Essential requirements include current CPR certification, a valid California Driver's License, insurability, and the ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends while demonstrating sensitivity to Indian culture.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Treatment PlanningCrisis InterventionCultural SensitivityInterpersonal Communication12-Step FacilitationProgram CoordinationClient InterviewingDischarge PlanningIndian Culture Knowledge

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% are remote, 34% have no call, 54% require no weekends.

In California, the Addiction Medicine weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$62k (224 salary observations; 353 listings), vs ~$62k nationally (1,336 salary observations; 3,920 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$60k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $54k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Addiction Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

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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 6.0this job 2.8
Better work-life than 20% of Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,262 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Barstow

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$267k
Typical market rent
$1,424/mo
Residents’ average commute
28 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
106.4
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.

BEA 2024 · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

RS

About Riverside SAN Bernardino County Indian Health

Medical Practices
Grand Terrace, California
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Flexible schedule
Non-exempt