Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Counselor
Listed compensation
$51k-$55k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Pay Range
$51,000- $55,000 Annually
Position Summary
At the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. This position requires the delivery of high quality services to teens who meet the criteria for admission to an appropriate level of care for substance abuse treatment services.
This will be accomplished by maintaining a caseload of 12-15 clients and providing between one (1) and eight (8) hours of services as directed on client treatment plan. Reports directly to the Field Supervisor.
Essential Functions/Job Duties
1. Provides (20) Direct Client service hours weekly. Each client to receive between one (1) and eight (8) hours per week of face-to-face Individual and/or Group counseling sessions.
2. Schedules, conducts and completes an intake/orientation interview with each referred youth within two (2) days of referral.
3. Accepts all appropriate referrals to program and secure Field Supervisor approval for admission. Maintains a case load of 12-15 clients.
4. Understands, implements, and maintains program procedures for documenting client status in Screening, Intake, Orientation, Assessments, Treatment Planning, Counseling, Case Management, Crisis Intervention, Client Education, Referral, Report and Recordkeeping and Consultation.
5. Identifies and assesses client problem areas and develop an A.S.A.M.-Driven Comprehensive Treatment Plan.
6. Meets with client as stipulated on treatment plan and up date plan every 2 weeks. Document client progress using Data – Assessment-Plan (DAP) format.
7. Reads and takes responsibility for learning the following basic treatment program material; Twelve Core Functions, © Stages of Change, © Living in Balance, © and Motivational Interviewing. © 8. Participates in three(3) hours of supervision weekly.
9. Communicates to client and puts in place a plan to address the specific Objectives needed for client to attain program Outcomes.
10. Creates with client a plan of action to secure follow-up information 90 days and 180 days after discharge from the program.
11. Is available to meet with clients in school, in the community and at their home
Qualifications
Skills & Knowledge:
1 year experience working with adolescents or have a working knowledge by completing Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) classes
Ability to perform the full range of client care services related duties required in the delivery of Substance Abuse Treatment services to Adolescents
- Demonstrates ability to understand and consistently achieve program expectations
- Demonstrates ability to understand and implement the concepts of delivering treatment services to include the Twelve Core Functions, © Stages of Change, © Motivational Interviewing, © and Living in Balance ©
- Has knowledge of the theories of counseling and work toward developing skills to implement them
- Has an understanding of facilitating Process, Task, Educational, Recreational and Skill building groups.
- Demonstrates skills in facilitating Individual, and family counseling sessions.
- Ability to speak in public and present Alcohol and Other Drug Information and YMCA Program information.
- Demonstrates an understanding and sensitivity to serving a culturally diverse population.
Demonstrates Safe and Defensive Driving Skills
Demonstrates an ability to write clear comprehensive admission reports and use information gathered through Intake and assessment to develop an appropriate evaluation.
Understands the elements of a Substance Abuse Assessment Interview and prepare an Assessment narrative with recommendations.
Education & Training
- State of Hawaii Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) preferred
- Bachelors’ Degree in Human Services or High School Degree and three (3 years) minimum, successful and substantial field experience in substance abuse treatment.
- Computer literate in Basic computer skills, Microsoft applications and OMNI Forms
- Current First AID and CPR Certificate
- Current TB clearance
Why the Y?
- Free Y membership with employment
- Referral bonuses - Y employees can earn cash or Y credit bonuses for referring a new hire*
- Up to 60% discounts for yourself, family, and even your siblings on Y programs, camps, preschool, childcare, and more.
Child Protection Commitment
The YMCA requires all staff to share responsibility for preventing child abuse by upholding professional boundaries, completing mandatory Praesidium training, and reporting concerns. All candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background screening, including criminal and sex offender checks.
*See job opportunities page for full details
Key Responsibilities
The counselor will maintain a caseload of 12-15 adolescent clients, providing direct counseling services and developing comprehensive treatment plans. They are responsible for documenting client progress, conducting intakes, and facilitating various group and individual sessions in community settings.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 82% are remote, 28% have no call, 70% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Hawaii is 110.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$53k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $48k in an average-cost state. 64.8% of Hawaii clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Addiction Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).
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