Counselor-OSAR (Dallas)
Listed compensation
$55k-$60k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
- Level: Experienced
- Job Location: 8111 LBJ FWY - DALLAS, TX
- Position Type: Full Time
- Education Level: 2 Year Degree
- Salary Range: $55000.00 - $60000.00Salary
- Travel Percentage: Up to 25%, A complete application is required for consideration. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Each position requires a separate completed application
- Job Title: Counselor-OSAR (Dallas) North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA), based in Dallas is responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for children, adolescents and adults with severe mental illness and other serious emotional disturbances, as well as those experiencing a substance use disorder
NTBHA provides trauma-informed, resilience-oriented care with cultural humility. Do you have a passion for helping others and want a career where you can make a difference? Then join our NTBHA team. We have proved to be a strong, self-sufficient and enduring foundation within our community.
We are committed to connecting and serving our clients where they live. Position’s Role Summary: This position is responsible for providing brief substance use screenings to adults and youth who present with possible substance use issues.
The Recovery OSAR Counselor will conduct a brief screening to determine a preliminary diagnosis utilizing the DSM 5 criteria and provide referrals to appropriate recovery support services.
The OSAR Counselor will also provide assistance throughout the individual continuum of care and/or treatment episode, to include offering brief interventions and motivational counseling as needed.
This position involves coordination with community partners and linkage to community-based services, eliminating barriers, and identifying available resources & recovery supports in the community. Targets identified individual needs and personal goals relative to recovery will be central.
Performs coordination work with assisting clients in accessing & gaining linkage to behavioral health. Traveling to agencies throughout the six county NTBHA region to conduct OSAR screenings and provide outreach and education. Work is achieved with supervisor collaboration, initiative, and positive judgment.
Requires excellent communication and documentation skills as well as the ability to use multiple computer software applications. Travel is required as part of this role’s duties. Travel can vary from 20% to 100% per day.
This would include all counties within NTBHA Catchment area (Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro & Rockwall Counties). This role may be required to use a fleet vehicle and and/or a personal vehicle for business needs.
This may include, but not limited to: field & home visits, offsite meetings, co-located sites and/or pick up items for business needs, etc. If your program requires transport of individuals, this would only be allowed with a company vehicle and approval from management.
This position is classified as exempt and requires flexibility in scheduling to meet organizational needs, including adjusting work hours as necessary to ensure job responsibilities are completed.
Qualifications
Qualifications required: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in human services or related field. Must be a fully licensed LPC, LCSW or LCDC. Interns are not eligible.
Must have familiarity with DSHS rules and guidelines with respect to eligibility screening and availability or HHSC-funded substance use disorder treatment services.
LCDCs who conduct mental health screenings independently must have 45 hours of continuing education in the treatment of clients with psychiatric disorders and 2000 hours of post-licensure supervision. Possess and maintains a valid driver’s license.
Pass and maintain a clear background record as required for healthcare organization under state and federal contracts. Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., with an ability to become familiar with company-specific programs and software.
Must be able to work on and have knowledge of a PC (personal computer). Job duties, responsibilities, and skills: Knowledge of rules, regulations and other guidelines of HHSC Texas Resilience and Recovery program Knowledge of managed care operations Knowledge of DSM-5.
Work autonomously and to make decisions consistent with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Create, analyze, prepare, and maintain records, files, documents, reports, and correspondence. Recognize problems and identify and facilitate solutions.
Knowledge of community resources, local indigent behavioral health systems and local authority, service coordination principles, objectives, standards and methods, and of program policies and procedures.
Communicate effectively and use effective interpersonal skills to communicate ideas and complex concepts with individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds through oral and written communication.
Constructively and efficiently work with other professionals and staff, community representatives, persons with disabilities, and family members.
Foster strong, positive, and effective working relationships with inter-agency and intra-agency team members, encouraging and supporting interaction among various team members across organizational lines.
Must possess and maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and automobile liability insurance, with a good driving record. Attends and participates in staff meetings. Duties and projects may be assigned or changed to meet business needs.
We are responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for individuals in crisis in the NTBHA service area. We are focused on trauma-informed, resilience-oriented care in all services provided.
Benefits
457(b) Paid time off Health, Dental and Vision insurance Health savings account Flexible spending account Tuition reimbursement
Key Responsibilities
The counselor conducts substance use screenings and brief interventions to determine preliminary diagnoses and provide referrals to recovery support services. They coordinate with community partners to link clients to behavioral health resources while performing outreach and education across the service region.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a human services field and possess a full license as an LPC, LCSW, or LCDC. A valid driver's license, clean background record, and proficiency in Microsoft Office are required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Behavioral Health — Counselor Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Texas is 97.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$58k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $59k in an average-cost state. 57.7% of Texas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% are remote, 24% have no call, 62% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$59k in purchasing power | Texas index 97.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Behavioral Health listings in Texas | 15 active | 352 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 42% remote · 24% no call · 62% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Texas counselor listings (all specialties): 8% state a sign-on bonus · 23% offer loan repayment726 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Behavioral Health listings | 868 in the last 30 days | 483 the 30 days before (+80%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Behavioral Health pay trend | −17.8% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Location & Logistics
Texas has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$58k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$4k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.
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