Recreation Counselor
Listed compensation
$25-$34/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Position: Recreation Counselor
The Recreation Counselor is responsible for all aspects of client recreational activities including planning, documenting and overseeing each function. The Recreation Counselor serves as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
This position is based at our Men's Residential Center located at 998 Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood, NY
Essential Duties
- Provide supervised highly structured indoor recreational activities to residents.
- Provide supervised highly structured outdoor recreational activities to residents.
- Provide supervised, highly structured indoor recreation in weight room with residents.
- Plan and oversee special events with residents and their families.
- Provide supervisor with scheduled activities for residents in orientation, early treatment, middle treatment, and late treatment phases of the program.
- Provide daily group note indicating activities and resident participation.
- Complete and accurate reporting of incidents, resident elopements, and crisis intervention.
- Participation in supervision.
- Communicate all pertinent information/incidents/emergencies via SAC book/House manager.
- Supervise residents in self-medication.
- Perform other duties assigned as related to role.
Minimum Requirements
- CASAC-T, CASAC, or higher preferred.
- 1 year of experience working with clients with substance abuse disorders.
- 1 year of experience working with adolescents with co-occurring mental health problems.
- 1 year of experience working in an OASAS funded facility a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
- Commitment to providing quality services and outcome driven performance measures.
- Excellent organizational management skills with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance clinicians, set and achieve program objectives.
- Strong networking and public relations skills with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, populations, and cultures.
- Action-oriented, adaptable, and innovative approach to program planning.
- Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
Key Responsibilities
The Recreation Counselor is responsible for planning, documenting, and overseeing all client recreational activities within a residential treatment setting. They serve as a member of the interdisciplinary team, providing structured indoor and outdoor activities while ensuring accurate incident reporting and crisis intervention.
Requirements
Candidates should possess a CASAC-T, CASAC, or higher certification and have at least one year of experience working with clients with substance abuse disorders. Experience working with adolescents with co-occurring mental health problems is also required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
Confidential Employer ranks #15 of 18 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.
Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 26% are remote, 30% have no call, 76% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $52k–$71k | Counselor median $75k (middle half $60k–$101k)29 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$57k in purchasing power | New York index 107.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Counselor listings in New York | 815 active | 13,511 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 26% remote · 30% no call · 76% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Counselor pay trend | +2.8% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
| Confidential Employer | #15 of 18 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
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37 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
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