State of North Carolina logo
State of North Carolina
Wadesboro, North Carolina

Substance Abuse Counselor

CounselorNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$43k-$76k

Listing transparency4 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about call expectations and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Full-Time · on-site
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
No weekends
Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Agency
  • Adult Correction
  • Division
  • COO - Health Services
  • Job Classification Title
  • Substance Abuse Counselor (S)
  • Position Number
  • 65030178
  • Grade
  • NC10

About Us

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community. Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!

  • Description of Work
  • Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
  • This is a Time Limited position.

This position is located at Anson Correctional Institution in Polkon, NC. The current shift for this position is Monday-Thursday (10 hour days). This position will work with female offenders. The Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency Program (ACDP) staff plans, administers and coordinates chemical dependency screening and substance use disorder treatment services within the Department of Adult Correction. Substance Abuse Counselors are the front line for the prison treatment programs for ACDP. They develop, implement and coordinate treatment plans for each client. Other responsibilities include: intake, assessment, gathering social histories, conducting treatment progress evaluations, documenting in OPUS and preparing discharge summaries. SAC’s also assist clients in developing recovery plans and community support, as well as maintaining appropriate participation and progress in attaining treatment goals.

  • Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
  • Pay Range $43,267.00 - $75,718.00

Applicants must pass a background check to be eligible for this job.

The Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency Program (ACDP) is a specialized behavioral health service that provides substance use treatment in North Carolina prisons. ACDP uses evidence-based clinical interventions and programming to help incarcerated individuals achieve and maintain recovery. Services include therapeutic communities, outpatient counseling, aftercare, and 12-step support groups.

Application Process

NCDAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Applicants must complete the application in full. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State application. Applications must include:

  • Complete education history (including high school)
  • Full work experience details
  • Certificates and licenses, if applicable
  • Education must be from appropriately accredited institutions.

Information provided must support responses to supplemental questions. Incomplete applications may impact screening and salary determination.

Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check and drug screen.

If multiple applications are submitted, only the most recent application received before the closing date will be considered.

Education Equivalency Verification

The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

PREA Requirement

The NC Dept. of Adult Correction must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape." Click this link for information on hiring and promotion prohibition requirements for all positions in the NC Dept. of Adult Correction: PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), NCDAC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Necessary Special Qualifications

Credentialed as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), or as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist – Associate (LCAS-A), or in an equivalent credential from a governing authority recognized by the NC Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Necessary Special Qualifications Credentialed as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), or as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist – Associate (LCAS-A), or in an equivalent credential from a governing authority recognized by the NC Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board to practice under the provisions of the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Act.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter

Crystal Bunn Miller

Email

DACWorkday@dac.nc.gov

Key Responsibilities

The Substance Abuse Counselor plans, administers, and coordinates chemical dependency screening and substance use disorder treatment services for incarcerated individuals. Responsibilities include developing treatment plans, conducting assessments, documenting progress, and assisting clients with recovery and community support.

Requirements

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED and hold a valid credential as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist – Associate (LCAS-A). Candidates must also pass a criminal background check and drug screen to be eligible for employment.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Substance abuse counselingTreatment planningSocial history gatheringRecovery planningClinical interventionDocumentationEvidence-based practiceAftercare support

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Abuse Counselor at State of North Carolina a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 35% of all Addiction Medicine counselor listings evaluated on our platform. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for North Carolina is 94.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$59k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 59.2% of North Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Substance Use / Addiction Counselor Jobs

4 matches · ranked by pay
#1

Substance Abuse Counselor Outpatient

Youth for Tomorrow New Life Center · Woodbridge, Virginia

$100k-$103k
#2

Substance Use Counselor

Chula Vista Comprehensive Treatment Center · Chula Vista, California

$29-$38/hr
#3

Substance Use Counselor - Detention Center North

$53k-$71k
#4

Substance Abuse Counselor (SACOT/SAIOP) QP/CADC - Wilson, NC

$17-$24/hr
+ 2 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

6.0/ 10
Listing-based score

A signal to investigate—not a guarantee about the workplace.

  • No weekends
  • On-site

Living in Wadesboro

  • Typical 3-bed home value $159k
  • Median resident rent $906/mo
  • Residents' average commute 31 min
  • Metro price index 97.3 · U.S. average 100
  • State income tax up to 4.8%
Sources & calculation

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

BEA 2024 · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

State of North Carolina logo

About State of North Carolina

Government Administration
Raleigh, North Carolina
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

State Pension
State Benefits