Licensed Addiction Counselor
Listed compensation
$23-$27/hr
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and nights and shift pattern.
Job Description
- Level: Experienced
- Job Location: Passages - BILLINGS, MT 59101
- Position Type: Full Time
- Education Level: 4 Year Degree
- Salary Range: $23.00 - $27.00 Hourly
- Job Shift: Day
- Job Category: Professional ServicesWe are hiring: Licensed Addiction Counselor – Passages Alcohol and Drug Treatment Unit Starting Wage: $23.00 to $27.00 per hour, based on licensure level (ACLC or LAC) and experience. Final compensation will be determined by considering the candidate's qualifications, credentials, and overall experience. Oversight of hours offered for candidate-licensure staff. Job type: Full-time, Non-exempt
- Schedule: 8am-4pm Monday-Friday; or 4-10s Tuesday-Friday
Training: Alternatives provides thorough orientation and training for all new staff. You can expect a one-week orientation, where you will learn all about Alternatives and be prepared for taking on your role. This first week is 9am-5pm at our Alternatives Training Center.
Continual on-going training is provided to all our staff to keep them current on their roles, industry standards, and contractual compliance. What Skills do you need? Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field and two years’ experience in field of substance abuse counseling is preferred.
Must be Montana State Licensed Addictions Counselor Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor – or be certifiable within one year, certified in another state which is transferable, or National certification. Must be able to pass federal workplace drug screening and background check. Must hold valid driver’s license.
What will you do in this position? As a Licensed Addiction Counselor, you will manage a caseload of clients, providing individual treatment services and facilitating group counseling sessions.
You will conduct regular reviews of client files to identify assessment needs, administer Substance Use Disorder (SUD) evaluations, and make recommendations regarding chemical dependency treatment and appropriate referrals.
In this role, you will collaborate with pre-release centers, probation officers, and other referral sources to ensure successful program completion and proper case closure. Strong public relations and interpersonal communication skills are essential.
Maintaining accurate, timely, and compliant documentation is critical, as is meeting deadlines and adhering to contractual and regulatory requirements. Additionally, you will participate in meetings and other professional activities as required.
Learn About the Passages ADT Team The Passages Alcohol and Drug Treatment (ADT) Program, operated by Alternatives, Inc., is a 90-day residential treatment program dedicated to helping individuals build a foundation for lasting recovery.
The program is led by an experienced Program Supervisor who has been with the agency for 13 years and brings extensive expertise in substance use treatment and social services.
She oversees a multidisciplinary team that includes Licensed Addiction Counselors (LACs), Case Managers, and other dedicated professionals across the ADT and PARC programs.
As a member of our team, you will work alongside experienced behavioral health professionals who are passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Our collaborative, supportive environment fosters professional growth while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. We look forward to welcoming you to the team!
Benefits and PerksBenefits We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees working 30+ hours per week, starting the first of the month, after 60 days of employment: Medical: Employer pays $532.23 toward employee coverage. Additional plans for children and family are available at employee cost.
Dental: Employer pays 100% of employee-only coverage. Affordable coverage for children and families is available at employee cost. Vision: Affordable plans are available for employees, children, and families at a low cost. Life Insurance: The agency provides a $25,000 coverage plan for all benefit-eligible employees.
Additional employee-paid supplemental plans available. Short-and-Long-term Disability: 100% employer-paid coverage for employees. 401k/Retirement Plan: Employees are eligible for 401k contributions after one year of employment and 1,000 hours worked. Employer profit sharing is eligible annually, based on board approval.
AFLAC: Supplemental plans are available to employees and their families at employee cost. PTO Accrual: Start accruing PTO from your first paycheck. Full-time (40-hour) employees with 0-2 years of employment accrue 4.65 hours per pay period, totaling 15 days a year.
Increased Accrual with Tenure: Accrual rates increase at 3 years, 5 years, and every subsequent 5-year mark, up to 25+ years. Pro Rata Basis: Accrual rates for employees working 20-30 hours per week are on a pro rata basis. Paid Holidays Full-Time Employees: Enjoy 11 paid holidays.
Part-Time Employees: Employees working 20-30 hours per week also receive paid holidays on a pro rata basis.
Here are some fantastic perks of working with us: Student Loan Forgiveness: Alternatives is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-eligible employer, giving qualifying employees the opportunity to have their federal student loans forgiven while working for a nonprofit organization.
Scholarship Program: We invest in our employees' growth through scholarship opportunities, subject to eligibility requirements, program availability, and funding. Career Growth: We believe in promoting from within! Many of our team members have advanced into new roles throughout their careers at Alternatives.
Our CEO has been with the organization for over 40 years, and many employees have celebrated 10+ years of service.
Sunshine Teams: Each building has a Sunshine Team dedicated to boosting morale, planning fun activities, organizing food days, celebrating employee birthdays, and other special occasions throughout the year.
Key Responsibilities
Manage a caseload of clients by providing individual treatment services and facilitating group counseling sessions. Collaborate with referral sources such as probation officers and pre-release centers to ensure successful program completion and accurate documentation.
Requirements
Requires a bachelor's degree in human services or a related field and two years of experience in substance abuse counseling. Must hold a Montana State Licensed Addictions Counselor certification or be eligible for certification within one year.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% are remote, 32% have no call, 50% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Montana is 94.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$52k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $55k in an average-cost state. 59.2% of Montana clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $48k–$56k | Substance Use / Addiction Counselor median $58k (middle half $53k–$65k)459 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$55k in purchasing power | Montana index 94.6 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Addiction Medicine listings in Montana | 8 active | —live on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| All substance use / addiction counselor listings in Montana | 45 active | 12,945 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 68% remote · 32% no call · 50% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | loan repayment | US counselor listings (all specialties): 13% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 14% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Addiction Medicine listings | 437 in the last 30 days | 217 the 30 days before (+101%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Licensed Addiction Counselor at Alternatives 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.
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