Janus of Santa Cruz logo
Janus of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California

Associate Counselor (On-Call)

CounselorPer Diem

Listed compensation

$51k

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Description

Job Title: Associate Counselor - Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center

Job Summary

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Associate Counselor to join our team at our Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center. The ideal candidate will support individuals in their recovery journey by providing counseling, guidance, and support in a professional and empathetic manner.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist in the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans for clients.
  • Provide one-on-one and group counseling sessions to clients dealing with substance use disorders.
  • Monitor client progress and provide feedback to the treatment team.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential client records in compliance with regulations.
  • Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care for clients.
  • Facilitate educational workshops and support groups for clients and their families.
  • Stay informed about the latest research and best practices in substance use treatment.

Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related field.
  • Previous experience in a counseling or support role, preferably in substance use treatment.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
  • Knowledge of substance use disorders and recovery processes.
  • Empathy and a non-judgmental attitude towards clients.
  • Certification or licensure in counseling or addiction treatment is a plus.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field. Previous experience in a counseling or support role, particularly within substance use treatment, is preferred.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree

Key Skills

Treatment planningIndividual counselingClient monitoringRecord keepingTeam collaboration

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 24% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

Addiction Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is down 3.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$51k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $46k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

32 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution32 jobs · 26 employers

7
<$90k
11
$90k-105k
6
$105k-120k
6
$120k-135k
2
$135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks30 jobs · 26 employers

401k / retirement match
93%
CME allowance
50%
Sign-on bonus
27%
Loan repayment
17%
Relocation assistance
10%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

LifeStance Health · Poway, California

$118k-$135k
#2

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

Integrated Pain Management Medical Group · Walnut Creek, California

$115k-$135k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
#4

Therapist

$100k-$126k
+ 30 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,285 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Santa Cruz

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.44M≈ 28.1× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,532/mo≈ 83% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
23 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
109.9
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 · Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Janus of Santa Cruz logo

About Janus of Santa Cruz

Non-profit Organizations
Santa Cruz, CA
51-200 employees