Stars Behavioral Health Group logo
Stars Behavioral Health Group
Los Angeles, California

Recovery Counselor

CounselorNo callNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$19-$22/hr

The week · per this posting · Tuesday – Saturday

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

Posted 37m ago · Verified live

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

Recovery Counselor

Division/Program

MLK/Mark Ridley Behavioral Health

Starting Compensation

19.00 - 22.00 USD Per Hour

Working Location

Los Angeles, CA, 90059

Working Hours/Shift

Tues-Sat 3 pm to 11:30 pm

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 (Qualifications)

High School Diploma or equivalent (e. g., GED, HiSET, etc.) plus one (1) year full-time equivalent experience working in a program serving persons with mental disabilities required OR completion of a minimum of 20 hours on-the-job training as defined by regulations within one (1) year of employment (in addition to the annually required 20 hours of training).

  • Certification as Nurse’s Assistant (Preferred)
  • Must possess a valid CA driver's license and maintain a driving record that meets the company driver eligibility policy.
  • Valid California Class “B” Driver’s License preferred.
  • SERV Safe Food Handler Certification or obtained within 90 days of employment.

First Aid certification from persons qualified by agencies including but not limited to the American Red Cross or obtained within 90 days of employment.

How You Will Make a Difference (Job Overview)

The Recovery Counselor is a para-professional treatment team member who is responsible for providing direct care to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of the clients through direct and indirect physical and verbal interaction.

Ensure that all safety regulations are followed, and the facilities are maintained in a safe and clean manner. Assist with client laundry, household cleaning and other tasks as needed. This position performs a variety of tasks to ensure that the facility is in a clean, orderly, sanitary, and attractive condition.

This position is also required to be added to the Approved Driver list and drive clients in the company vehicle as requested. This position is responsible for providing a high level of customer service through maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment for all clients, visitors, staff, and physicians.

This care is provided through direct and indirect physical and verbal interactions with clients, modeling appropriate behaviors for clients, and monitoring daily client activities. This position may be asked to screen incoming clients/visitors for contraband and inventory all client property.

This position may also be asked to monitor surveillance equipment. This position may also be asked to control access to the center, answer/direct incoming clients, conduct physical security checks of the center grounds, and respond to fires and/or emergencies at the center.

This position maintain vigilance over the general milieu within the facility to facilitate quality client care, optimum facility operations and preserve the safety of all therein.

Duties are performed under direct supervision of the Program Director, or designee in most cases, but some tasks are accomplished independently.

Division/Program Overview

  • 16-bed facilities
  • Designed for adults with mental health challenges or a recent crisis who need intensive treatment.
  • 24/7 programs as an alternative to urgent care or hospitalization.

Individuals can live on-site in a homelike setting for a short term while they receive counseling and learn basic living and interpersonal skills.

Able to receive physical and psychological evaluation, mental health, and case management services, in addition to assistance locating permanent housing.

Learn more about SBHG at: starsinc.com

For Additional Information

Stgarcia@starsinc.com

Key Responsibilities

The Recovery Counselor provides direct care to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of clients in a 24/7 residential setting. Responsibilities include maintaining facility safety, assisting with daily living tasks, and monitoring client activities to ensure a therapeutic environment.

Requirements

Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of experience in a mental health program, or completion of specific on-the-job training. A valid California driver's license and the ability to obtain First Aid and Food Handler certifications are also required.

Key Skills

Crisis interventionSafety regulation complianceFacility maintenanceBehavioral health supportSecurity monitoringFood handling

Behavioral Health — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 30% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$43k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $39k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Stars Behavioral Health Group ranks #20 of 27 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is up 9.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Recovery Counselor at Stars Behavioral Health Group a 6.9 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 10% in Behavioral Health (Counseling) — ranked against 346 active Behavioral Health (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties, no night shifts.

Top Counselor Jobs

40 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution40 jobs · 32 employers

12
<$90k
12
$90k-105k
5
$105k-120k
8
$120k-135k
3
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks31 jobs

401k / retirement match
90%
CME allowance
35% this job
Sign-on bonus
32%
Loan repayment
16%
PSLF eligible
13%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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

OLE Health · Napa, California

$88k-$138k
#2

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

LifeStance Health · Encinitas, California

$118k-$135k
#3

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$115k-$135k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
+ 38 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 6.9
Among the best 10% of Behavioral Health (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 346 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No call
  • No nights

Living in Los Angeles

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$923k
Typical market rent
$2,778/mo
Residents’ average commute
31 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Stars Behavioral Health Group logo

About Stars Behavioral Health Group

Mental Health Care
Long Beach, CA
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
Voluntary benefits
Paid CEU opportunities
Career development programs
BBS supervision for AMFT, ACSW, APCC
Vacation and holiday pay