Youth Outreach Services logo
Youth Outreach Services
Grafton, Illinois

Substance Use Disorder Counselor

CounselorIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$47k-$62k

The week · per this posting · Tuesday – Saturday

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 50m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Department: Juvenile Justice
  • Location: Illinois Youth Center (IYC) - Grafton, IL 62037
  • Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 am-5:30 pm
  • Salary: $47,000 to $62,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
  • Please note: At this time, this role is anticipated to be a temporary one-year position.

Position Overview

The Substance Use Disorder Counselor provides intake screening, assessments, and support services to youth admitted to Reception and Classification Units within the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Substance Use Disorder Counselor Responsibilities

Completes assessment and screening process on youth entering the Reception and Classification Unit as well as any additional youth as assigned

  • Participates in case consultation and planning as assigned
  • Participates in multi-disciplinary staff meetings as assigned
  • Facilitates referral and discharge recommendations
  • Conducts educational and therapeutic groups for youth as assigned
  • Record keeping/documentation for assessment and screening tools as well as assigned group activities
  • Case management and coordination
  • Participates in staff growth and development activities

Substance Use Disorder Counselor Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • Master's degree preferred
  • CADC required within 2 years
  • Familiarity with DSM-5 preferred
  • Knowledge of chemical abuse and dependence diagnosis criteria
  • Knowledge of substance abuse disorders

What We Offer

Comprehensive Benefits Package: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Short/Long-Term Disability options.

  • Retirement Plan: 403(b) with eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick, and personal time.
  • Professional Growth: Leadership development and ongoing training opportunities.
  • Meaningful Work: Lead a dedicated team committed to transforming the lives of justice-involved youth.

How to Apply

Please apply through our website by submitting your resume. Qualified candidates will receive a brief questionnaire as part of the next step in the process.

YOS Is an E-Verify Participating Employer

Youth Outreach Services is a drug-free workplace, and compliance with this policy is a condition of employment and continued employment.

Youth Outreach Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Key Responsibilities

The counselor provides intake screening, assessments, and support services to youth within the Department of Juvenile Justice. Responsibilities include facilitating therapeutic groups, managing cases, and coordinating discharge recommendations.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree is required, with a master's degree preferred. Candidates must possess knowledge of substance abuse disorders and obtain a CADC certification within two years.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Substance use disorder counselingGroup facilitationDSM-5 familiarityChemical abuse diagnosisSubstance abuse disorders knowledgeTherapeutic group facilitationDischarge planning

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% are remote, 28% have no call, 58% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$55k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $55k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Youth Outreach Services ranks #18 of 23 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Top Counselor Jobs

43 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution43 jobs · 33 employers

9
<$65k
16
$65k-80k
10
$80k-95k
4
$95k-110k
4
$110k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks40 jobs · 33 employers

401k / retirement match
88% this job
Sign-on bonus
35%
Loan repayment
35% this job
CME allowance
28%
PSLF eligible
23% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)

LifeStance Health · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

$84k-$113k
#2

Licensed Talk Therapist - Fee For Service

Thriveworks · Normal, Illinois

$112k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LPCC, LPP, LCSW)

$100k-$110k
#4

Mental Health Clinician (LMFT, LCSW, LMSW)

$90k-$110k
+ 41 more · ranked by pay

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.

  • Includes weekends

Living in Grafton

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$302k≈ 6.4× annual pay
Median resident rent
$629/mo≈ 16% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
29 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
95.1
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · St. Louis, MO-IL metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Youth Outreach Services logo

About Youth Outreach Services

Individual and Family Services
Chicago, IL
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
Short/Long-Term Disability options
403(b) Retirement Plan
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
Generous vacation, sick, and personal time
Leadership development and ongoing training opportunities