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Sober State
Los Angeles, California

SUD Counselor

CounselorFull-time

Listed compensation

$50k-$67k

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Benefits

  • Competitive salary
  • Flexible schedule
  • Position Title: SUD Counselor
  • Department: All Programs
  • Reports To: Program Supervisor
  • Location: Los Angeles (excluding San Fernando Valley)

Position Summary

Counselors are an integral part of the program's multi-disciplinary team and work under the supervision of the program supervisor. The counselor's responsibilities include conducting community-based (field based) counseling within the client’s primary residence, safe public area, or local Sober State office.

Delivery models include both individual, group, and collateral sessions consisting of the 12-Core Functions and Global Criteria of addiction counselors including case management and linkage to community resources.

Hours

Vary upon contract.

Categories of Duties

1. Provides crisis intervention on an as needed basis and abides by mandated reporting and special incident reporting protocols.

2. Attends weekly individual and group supervision.

3. Attends in service training and educational workshops.

4. Attends all required staff meetings.

5. Cooperates and communicates fully with other staff members regarding patient behavior, progress, activities, etc...

6. Conducts self in a professional manner in areas of dress, language, attitude, and behavior.

7. Exhibits full knowledge and support of the philosophy and objectives of the agency.

8. Fully understands and maintains policies regarding professional ethics, including appropriate boundaries and patient confidentiality.

9. Other duties as assigned by the director and/or administration.

10. Completes intake assessments (precertification/screening/ASAM if applicable) within timeframe established by program policy.

11. Initiates Treatment Planning (individual service plans) on assigned patients and works closely with program supervisor and other members of the multi-disciplinary team to assure that all identified problems are addressed.

12. Participates in initial and continuing case conference within timeframe established by program agency.

13. Provides regular, comprehensive progress note charting in client’s electronic chart record in accordance with agency standards, to include individual sessions, group participation, crisis intervention, case conference/consultation, etc.…

14. Facilitates education groups as assigned utilizing approved curriculum according to program schedule and program policy.

15. Schedules and conducts regular 1:1 session with all assigned clients at least weekly or more often as appropriate or directed.

16. Performs conjoin/family sessions as needed.

17. Reviews all patient therapeutic assignments and provides assistance/feedback as needed.

18. Attends in-service training and educational workshops.

19. Maintains caseload, charting and documentation of services and referrals provided.

20. Provides data entry and reporting of services provided including court and progress reports.

21. Conducts non-observed drug testing and recording of results.

22. Manages time, travel, and logistics of their caseloads according to Sober State policies and procedures.

Education/Experience/Qualifications Guidelines

  • Counselors are an integral part of the program's multi-disciplinary team and work under the supervision of the program supervisor.
  • They collaborate closely with Regional Center service coordinators to deliver services to consumers.
  • The counselor's responsibilities include conducting substance use screening and assessments, as well as providing substance use education and counseling through individual, group, and family sessions.
  • In addition to counseling responsibilities, counselors monitor and document participants' progress in the Regional Recovery Program, consulting with the program supervisor regarding counseling content, process, and caseload management.
  • They may also serve as peer mentors to consumers, providing guidance on sober leisure activities and integration into recovery communities as stated within the recovery support service description.
  • Counselors maintain participant records in accordance with HIPAA, ensuring strict adherence to participant confidentiality requirements and standards, including mandated reporting.

Qualifications

  • Qualifications for the counselor position include registration/certification with one of three statewide certifying agencies: California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE), California Association of DUI Treatment Program (CADTP), or California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professions (CCAPP); or Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certification through CalMHSA.
  • In addition to certification, counselors are required to have experience or complete training related to disabled populations. These certifications validate the counselor's expertise in the field of addiction treatment and their ability to deliver quality service.
  • Counselors report directly to the program supervisor and collaborate closely on program implementation and participant support.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sober State, LLC. does not discriminate as to race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability in its hiring practices.

ADA Requirement

Sober State, LLC. supports the American with Disabilities Act. Discrimination is prohibited in all aspects of employment against disabled persons, who, with reasonable accommodations, can perform the essential functions of a job.

Key Responsibilities

The counselor provides community-based substance use counseling, including individual, group, and family sessions, while managing a caseload and coordinating with a multi-disciplinary team. Responsibilities also include conducting intake assessments, developing treatment plans, and maintaining comprehensive clinical documentation.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Addiction counselingHIPAA complianceIndividual counselingGroup facilitation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates SUD Counselor at SOBER STATE a 7.9 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 10% in Addiction Counseling — ranked against 91 active Addiction Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc.

Addiction Counseling — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 24% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$58k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $53k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

32 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution32 jobs · 26 employers

7
<$90k
11
$90k-105k
6
$105k-120k
6
$120k-135k
2
$135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks30 jobs · 26 employers

401k / retirement match
93%
CME allowance
50%
Sign-on bonus
27%
Loan repayment
17%
Relocation assistance
10%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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$118k-$135k
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#3

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 7.9
Among the best 10% of Addiction Counseling listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 91 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Los Angeles

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$923k≈ 18.5× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,778/mo≈ 67% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
31 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Benefits & Perks

Flexible schedule