BP
Boston Public Health Commission
Boston, Massachusetts

Counselor - Transitions (Thursday-Monday, 3 PM to 11 PM)

CounselorFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 6mo ago

Job Description

  • Works to help BPHC advance as an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti-Racism Policy.

Ensures overall safety of client and program environment.

  • Performs rounds throughout the unit.
  • Searches clients for contraband upon arrival in unit.
  • Intervenes to de-escalate conflict situations, anticipating potential conflict situations and intervening prior to crisis.
  • Conducts informal counseling sessions to assess needs and make appropriate referrals to internal and external programs.
  • Develops positive professional relationships with guests to facilitate care.
  • Maintains stable environment by ensuring resident compliance with program rules and individual service plans.
  • Performs urinalysis screening if necessary.
  • Assists in overseeing and facilitation of support group meetings, NA/AA meetings, life skills and other training for residents.
  • Trains and assists guests with daily living tasks as needed.
  • Monitors and serves meals, coordinates food and other supplies, and supervises clean up after meals.
  • Monitors and distributes linen and clothing supplies for guests.
  • Attends required meetings and training sessions.
  • Provides phone coverage as necessary.
  • Transports clients via program van.
  • Performs various administrative tasks such as maintaining accurate records, recording log notes and data entry.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
  • Associate of Science Degree, or High School Diploma / GED and one year of related experience.
  • Experience working with drug addicted clients preferred.
  • Experience working with HIV infected populations preferred.
  • Experience working with diverse ethnic, racial and economic populations required.
  • Prior experience with homeless is helpful.
  • Able to follow directions and work harmoniously with staff and guests.
  • Computer literacy preferred.
  • Strong written and verbal skills required.
  • Bi-Lingual/Spanish speaking preferred.
  • Valid, active Massachusetts (MA) driver's license and good driving record required. Applicants who do not possess a valid MA driver's license are eligible for hire but must obtain a valid, active MA driver's license within the first six (6) months of employment and thereafter maintain such license as conditions of employment.

Key Responsibilities

The counselor ensures a safe and stable environment for clients by performing unit rounds, de-escalating conflicts, and conducting informal counseling sessions. They also assist with daily living tasks, facilitate support groups, and maintain accurate administrative records.

Qualifications

Education
Associate degree

Key Skills

Conflict De-escalationCrisis InterventionCase ManagementRecord KeepingSubstance Abuse SupportClient SupervisionAdministrative SupportCommunication Skills

Substance Abuse Counseling — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 28% have no call, 58% require no weekends.

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).

Counselor pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Counselor - Transitions (Thursday-Monday, 3 PM to 11 PM) at Boston Public Health Commission a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Substance Abuse Counseling — ranked against 64 active Substance Abuse Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Counselor Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution50 jobs · 40 employers

19
<$80k
15
$80k-95k
4
$95k-110k
9
$110k-125k
3
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks44 jobs · 40 employers

401k / retirement match
93%
CME allowance
48%
Sign-on bonus
23%
Loan repayment
23%
PSLF eligible
7%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Clinical Supervisor - CT - LPC or LCSW

Thriveworks · Connecticut

$55.85 - $64.79/hr
#2

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

$74k-$126k
#3

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

$92k-$125k
#4

Lead Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT Supervisor

$83k-$123k
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 5.5this job 6.4
Better work-life than 80% of Substance Abuse Counseling listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 64 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Boston

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$813k
Typical market rent
$3,338/mo
Residents’ average commute
30 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.3
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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