On-Call Recovery Counselor
Listed compensation
$19.08-$21.08/hr
The week · per this posting
Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Partner with us in making a positive change!
Join a team where your work truly matters. We're proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work for 8 years by our own employees. We invite you to partner with us in our mission to improve mental healthcare.
Job Title
On-Call Recovery Counselor
Division/Program
Crisis Residential Unit (Adult 24/7 Inpatient)
Starting Compensation
19.08 - 21.08 USD Per Hour
Working Location
Merced, CA
Working Hours/Shift
Applicants provide their availability, and shifts are assigned as needed. No set schedule. AM (6:00am–2:30pm), PM (2:00pm–10:30pm), or NOC (10:00pm–6:30am).
Why Join Our Team?
- Competitive Compensation: Offering a salary that matches your skills and experience.
- Generous Time Off: Enjoy ample vacation and holiday pay.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
- Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Additional voluntary benefits to support your lifestyle.
Professional Growth Opportunities
- On-the-job training with access to paid CEU opportunities.
- Career development programs designed to help you grow.
- Supervision for BBS hours for AMFT, ACSW, and APCC professionals (where applicable).
Employee Recognition & Rewards: A culture that celebrates and rewards your hard work and dedication
What You Bring to SBHG
Education
High School Diploma or equivalent required; an associate degree in a social science field is preferred.
Experience
One (1) year of full-time direct care experience preferred, OR one (1) year of non-professional, consumer-directed internship experience in the mental health field preferred.
Licensure & Compliance
A valid California Driver’s License and the ability to meet agency driving criteria.
How You Will Make a Difference
This position has the primary responsibility for assisting clients with daily living skills, including eating, personal hygiene, grooming, and other care needs. Monitors participation in activities and encourages client engagement through positive support and motivation.
Leads and assists with activity groups and community outings, promotes positive social interactions, and serves as a role model for appropriate behavior.
Maintains accurate documentation of client attendance and participation in activities and therapeutic services and may transport clients using a company vehicle as needed.
Division/Program Overview
- Population Served (Capacity): Serving adults, ages 18-59
- Facility & Setting: 24/7 inpatient voluntary program, 16-bed facility
- Clinical Services (Core): Rehabilitation/recovery services, including substance use rehabilitation services
- Length of Stay: 30 day stay
- Skills & Services: Pre-vocational or vocational counseling and medication evaluation and support services.
- Learn more about SBHG at: starsinc.com
For Additional Information
CencalJobs@Starsinc.com
Key Responsibilities
The recovery counselor assists clients with daily living skills, personal hygiene, and care needs while monitoring participation in therapeutic activities. They also lead activity groups, maintain accurate documentation, and serve as a positive role model for clients within the residential facility.
Requirements
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, with an associate degree in a social science field preferred. One year of direct care or mental health internship experience and a valid California driver's license are also required.
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 54% are remote, 30% have no call, 56% require no weekends.
In California, the Addiction Medicine weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$63k (168 salary observations; 393 listings), vs ~$62k nationally (1,008 salary observations; 4,216 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $40k–$44k | Addiction Medicine median $146k (middle half $146k–$146k)10 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| California vs national | $63k median in California | $62k nationally (+1%)168 state / 1,008 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$38k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Addiction Medicine listings in California | 113 active | 1,116 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 54% remote · 30% no call · 56% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | California counselor listings (all specialties): 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Addiction Medicine listings | 420 in the last 30 days | 230 the 30 days before (+83%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Addiction Medicine pay trend | −3.5% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Top contract/1099 Counselor Jobs
50 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
24 jobsAnnual compensation range
Benefits & Perks
31 jobsShare of similar jobs offering each benefit
Outpatient Therapist TF-CBT
Northeast Family Services · Bronx, New York
Part Time Remote Group Therapist - California Licensed
Clarity Pediatrics · San Francisco, California
Remote Mental Health Therapist - LCSW, LPCC, LMFT (1099, CA)
$75-$90/hrMental Health Therapist- Contract 1099
$70-$90/hrWork-life snapshot
Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,106 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.
- Includes call
Benefits & Perks
14 more from Stars Behavioral Health Group
- Mental Health Therapist (Foster Care) · San Leandro, California
- Telehealth Mental Health Therapist II/III (Bilingual - Spanish or Vietnamese Language Speaking Strongly Preferred) · California
- Full-Time Recovery Counselor · 2 locations$21/hr
Living in Merced
- Typical 3-bedroom home value
- $370k
- Typical market rent
- $2,041/mo
- Residents’ average commute
- 29 min
- Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
- 98.3
- 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 · Merced, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.
City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.