Counselor, Residential Recovery
Listed compensation
$24/hour
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Summary:
Ensure the safety and security of the clients and responsibility of providing direct individual, group, educational, clinical or case management services to clients.
Why Work for SMOC?
- Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
- Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
- 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
- Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
- Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
Primary Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Clinical Supervisor and clients on design of individual treatment plans and referrals.
- Provide individual, crisis, and group counseling.
- Perform screening, intake, and orientation of new clients.
- Implement Case Management, assessments, crisis intervention and client education.
- Supervise daily/nightly and weekend activities and clients.
- Maintain accurate client files and records.
- Supervise the daily activities of caseload.
- Supervise client compliance with the program guidelines.
- Assist with client’s aftercare and discharge.
- Consult with team in developing a collaborative plan of care for clients and development of aftercare plan.
- Contribute to a supportive interpersonal atmosphere.
- Meet bi-weekly for supervision and weekly for group supervision.
- Drive the SMOC program van to transport clients.
- Fill in required shifts in emergency coverage situations.
- Supervise medication process and times.
- Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
- Attend & participate in team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
- Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
- Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies & procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree or minimum of 5 years' experience.
- Understanding of the disease concept of addiction.
- Knowledge of the 12 Step program.
- Understanding of mental health diagnosis.
- Strong verbal communication skills.
- Understanding of Trauma.
- Must have valid Driver’s License, reliable transportation and meet insurance standards.
Organizational Relationship: Directly reports to Clinical Supervisor.
Physical Requirement: Ability to drive a van and ability to ascend and descend stairs in a residential building.
Working Conditions: Some travel within the state using a company van will be required. This position is located in a residential program which is handicapped accessible. As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Counselor will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.
Hybrid Work Option: Hybrid work is permissible in some positions at SMOC depending on the key functions and responsibilities. The Counselor position is eligible to work from home 0-20% of the week in scheduling coordination with the department manager.
Monday through Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Includes a 1-hour unpaid lunch break.
35 Hours per week.
Key Responsibilities
The counselor is responsible for providing direct clinical services, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and case management. They also collaborate with the clinical supervisor to design treatment plans and ensure the safety and compliance of clients within the residential program.
Requirements
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree or at least 5 years of relevant experience in the field. A valid driver's license and an understanding of addiction, trauma, and mental health diagnoses are required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Behavioral Health — Counselor Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 66% are remote, 44% have no call, 56% require no weekends — this position is remote.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.0 / 10 · above average in behavioral health (counseling) | ranked against 333 Behavioral Health (Counseling) listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | not listed | Behavioral Health median $76k (middle half $68k–$83k)16 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost of living | Massachusetts index 105.8 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Behavioral Health listings in Massachusetts | 19 active | 335 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | remote | peers: 66% remote · 44% no call · 56% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Massachusetts Counselor listings: 11% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 16% offer loan repayment525 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Behavioral Health listings | 817 in the last 30 days | 547 the 30 days before (+49%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Behavioral Health pay trend | −5.6% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Counselor, Residential Recovery at South Middlesex Opportunity Council a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Behavioral Health (Counseling) — ranked against 333 active Behavioral Health (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, remote work flexibility.
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