YMCA of Honolulu logo
YMCA of Honolulu
Kalihi, Hawaii

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Counselor

CounselorFull-Time

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.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

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

Substance abuse counselingAdolescent counselingGroup facilitationIndividual counselingPublic speakingDocumentation

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).

Top Counselor Jobs

42 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution42 jobs · 12 employers

14
<$90k
4
$90k-105k
9
$105k-120k
15
$120k-135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks40 jobs · 12 employers

401k / retirement match
100%
Sign-on bonus
43%
CME allowance
10%
Loan repayment
3%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 3.0
Better work-life than 30% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

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

YMCA of Honolulu logo

About YMCA of Honolulu

Civic and Social Organizations
Waialua, Hawaii
11-50 employees

Benefits & Perks

Free Y membership with employment
Referral bonuses
Up to 60% discounts on Y programs, camps, preschool, childcare
Child Protection Commitment training