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University of Rochester
Rochester, New York

Cred Alc & Sub Abuse Counselor 2 (CASAC)

CounselorNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$29.05-$40.67/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumedWeekdays only

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

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address)

220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14620

Opening

Work Shift

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range

Compensation Range

$29.05 - $40.67

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Provides counseling services, under direct supervision, as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team caring for alcoholics, addicts and drug abusing persons and their families. Develops and carries out specific treatment goals using independent professional judgment. May have supervisory responsibility for other team members.

Job Profile Title

Substance Use Counselor 2

Department

The University of Rochester Department of Psychiatry is one of the largest behavioral health providers in the U.S. We offer diverse career opportunities across multiple divisions and clinical service campuses.

Position

We are seeking a Substance Use Counselor (CASAC) 2 to join our growing team. The Substance Use Counselor 2 provides counseling services, under direct supervision, as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team caring for alcoholics, addicts and drug abusing persons and their families. Develops and carries out specific treatment goals using independent professional judgment. May have supervisory responsibility for other team members.

Essential Functions

Performs intake evaluations by direct interview of persons applying for treatment.

Assesses chemical use history, including type, quantity, frequency and pattern of use of licit, prescription, or illicit substances, including psychological, social, legal, medical, psychiatric, financial, vocational and educational consequences, and history of treatment efforts, including detoxification, rehabilitation, drug-free treatment, chemotherapy programs.

Assesses patients for symptoms of psychological dependence, motivation for change, personal resources. Gathers family historical data concerning drug and alcohol usage, relationship, and current functioning.

Prepares oral and written clinical reports of interview data to be reviewed at multidisciplinary intake review and diagnostic conferences. Prepares and submits written and oral reports as required.

Maintains productivity in accordance with program and departmental standards and complies with program and departmental policies and procedures. May present at seminars or to patient groups as required.

Establishes communication using established rules of confidentiality and laws concerning rights of patients and uses correspondence with other health-related agencies, employers, criminal justice programs and social service programs to assess reasons for referral or applicant's legal or social service status. Incorporates data into diagnostic team assessment evaluating the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of the patients and their families.

Develops and carries out counseling of drug/alcohol abusing or addicted patients in the context of a comprehensive treatment plan. Demonstrates advanced listening skills, empathy, confrontation and supportive skills, ability to monitor patient compliance, participation and motivation.

Demonstrates ability to communicate treatment team decision to patient and assess developments that require conference with other members of interdisciplinary team. Establishes long term counseling relationships with patients.

Maintains active case records, including written treatment plans, problem-oriented progress notes, periodic updates of treatment plans, appropriate documentation of incidents, discharge summaries, interagency communications and correspondence.

Demonstrates general working knowledge of psychological, social, spiritual, behavioral, vocational and physical effects of drug/alcohol use, including alcohol, opiates, stimulants, sedatives, hallucinogens, compulsive drug-related behavior, peer group relationships among substance abusers, patterns of family interactions around drug/alcohol abuse.

Demonstrates knowledge of the indications and limitations of various treatments for alcoholism and addiction, including drug-free treatment and the use of methadone or other medications for detoxification or maintenance.

Shows understanding of the indications and limitations of bioassays for drugs, such as urine drug screens.

Maintains a working knowledge of and the ability to work with local and regional services and agencies for the alcoholic and drug abuser, including self-help spiritually oriented programs for patients and families, education, information and referral resources, inpatient detoxification, rehabilitation and therapeutic community programs, residential facilities, vocational counseling and employment agencies.

Designs and performs interventions while facilitating group process.

Maintains continuing education in knowledge and skills affecting the discipline of chemical dependency counseling, including attendance at in-service meetings. Reports to clinical supervisor regularly for supervision of all clinical activity.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in a discipline related to human services and 1 year of related experience in substance use disorder treatment setting required

Or Equivalent Combination of Education and Experience

Ability to work as co-therapist in group therapy for alcohol/drug dependent persons and has a working knowledge of the concepts underlying group therapy including role of feelings, defenses required

Knowledge of legal rights and societal attitudes toward the alcoholic/addicted person in and out of treatment required

  • Licenses & Certifications
  • CASAC-T upon hire required
  • CASAC Certification within 1 year required

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better.

In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics).

This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

Requirements

A master’s degree in a human-services-related discipline and one year of experience in a substance use disorder treatment setting are required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Candidates must be able to co-lead group therapy and understand group therapy concepts and the legal rights and societal attitudes affecting people with addiction; CASAC-T is required upon hire, with CASAC certification required within one year.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Substance Use CounselingIntake EvaluationClinical AssessmentTreatment PlanningIndividual CounselingMotivational AssessmentCase ManagementClinical DocumentationInterdisciplinary CollaborationCrisis InterventionPatient ConfidentialityFamily CounselingGroup FacilitationCommunity Resource Coordination

Substance Use Counseling — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 4% are remote, 58% have no call, 90% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$73k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $67k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Cred Alc & Sub Abuse Counselor 2 (CASAC) at University of Rochester a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Substance Use / Addiction Counselor — ranked against 1,008 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Top Substance Use / Addiction Counselor Jobs

16 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution16 jobs · 14 employers

4
<$70k
5
$70k-80k
5
$80k-90k
2
$90k-100k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks11 jobs

401k / retirement match
100% this job
Sign-on bonus
36%
CME allowance
27% this job
PSLF eligible
18%
Loan repayment
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Substance Use Counselor

St. Anthony Foundation · San Francisco, California

$60k-$90k
#2

Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation · Chaska, Minnesota

$67,679 - $90,247
#3

Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor

$75k-$85k
#4

Substance Use Counselor 2

$60k-$85k
+ 14 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.4
Better work-life than 70% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,008 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights
  • On-site

Living in Rochester

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$247k
Typical market rent
$1,476/mo
Residents’ average commute
19 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
97.0
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Rochester, NY metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

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About University of Rochester

Higher Education

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Continuing Education