Core Civic logo
Core Civic
San Diego, California

Treatment Counselor, Community Corrections

Counselor / TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$32.08 per hour

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 36m ago · Verified live

Job Description

$32.08 per hour

CoreCivic is currently seeking Treatment Counselors in our Community Corrections residential treatment program.

The successful candidate should be able to perform ALL of the following functions at a pace and level of performance consistent with the actual job performance requirements.

Interviews and assesses prospective program participants, and gathers data using appropriate screening and assessment instruments. Establishes rapport with participants and determines individual and group needs based on results of screening and assessment instruments and other collateral sources.

Facilitates individual and group treatment interventions, in accordance with CoreCivic partner agencies, and prevailing state regulations, statutes, policies and procedures. Uses standardized offender assessment information in developing treatment plans or specific programs.

Facilitates participant engagement in the treatment process, promoting positive attitudes, skills, coping mechanisms to encourage on-going recovery. Plans participant incentives and uses appropriate therapeutic tools to manage behavioral issues or concerns.

Maintains the confidentiality of clinical files for each participant to include, but not limited to, intake documents, assessment(s), and interview(s), treatment plan, treatment plan reviews, progress notes, discharge summary, and referrals, according to written protocols and in compliance with prevailing laws and regulation(s).

Documents and tracks treatment plans, monitors residents progress and reviews status of residents to verify that treatment and therapeutic programs are completed.

Prepares evaluation/transition plans five (5) days prior to resident’s release from program.

Qualifications

High school diploma, GED certification or equivalent is required.

Three years of full-time counseling experience with a criminal justice population in a substance use disorder program is required.

Must possess or obtain an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor Certification by an accredited certifying organization within six months of hire date.

  • A valid driver's license is required.
  • CoreCivic is a Drug-Free Workplace & EOE including Disability/Veteran.

Key Responsibilities

The Treatment Counselor facilitates individual and group interventions while developing and monitoring personalized treatment plans for program participants. They are responsible for maintaining clinical documentation and preparing evaluation reports to support resident progress and transition.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance Use Disorder TreatmentCase ManagementTreatment PlanningGroup FacilitationBehavioral ManagementCrisis InterventionConfidentiality ComplianceCriminal Justice Population SupportRecovery Support

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 60% are remote, 32% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

Counselor pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Counselor by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$67kCounselor median $69k (middle half $63k–$76k)37 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$60k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Counselor listings in California1,028 active13,398 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 60% remote · 32% no call · 64% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedCalifornia Counselor listings: 11% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 10% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
Counselor pay trend−1.4% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

42 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

42 jobs · 34 employers
8
<$90k
11
$90k-105k
13
$105k-120k
6
$120k-135k
4
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

29 jobs
401k / retirement match
97%
CME allowance
45%
Sign-on bonus
38%
Loan repayment
24%
PSLF eligible
10%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

LifeStance Health · Lake Oswego, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

LifeStance Health · West Linn, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Licensed Clinician DV/SA Program LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

$114k-$141k
#4

Behavioral Health Provider (ASW/LCSW or AMFT/LMFT) - Napa

$88k-$138k
+ 40 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score

Living in San Diego

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.00M
Typical market rent
$3,004/mo
Residents’ average commute
24 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.9
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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