Alcohol & Drug Counselor 2 (LCDC) - Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare
Listed compensation
$27.48-$34.35/hr
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
All job postings will expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the application deadline.
Organization: Behavioral Health - Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare
Agency Contact Name and Information: theresa.guthrie@dbh.ohio.gov
Work Location: 2200 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio, 43223-1492
United States
Compensation: $27.48 - $34.35
Schedule: Permanent - Full Time
Work Hours: M-F 7:30a-4/8a-4:30p plus one night
Classified Indicator: Classified
Union: 1199
Primary Job Skill: Counseling and Rehabilitation
Who We Are
At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.
We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio’s prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio.
DBH Values
- Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
- Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
- Value Driven
- Innovative (Yes Before No)
Strong Sense of Urgency
Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.
The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery.
We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.
What You'll Do
As a Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare Alcohol and Drug Counselor 2 you will:
- Conduct interviews & provide counseling services to alcohol & other drug dependent patients/clients
- Facilitate screening and interviewing of patients/clients from intake to discharge
- Delivers direct services including facilitating of group & individual therapy
Perform Overall Case Management & Crisis Intervention
- Develop client treatment plans & ensure compliance with applicable standards, agency policies & administrative regulations & institutional rules
- Monitors clients’ progress in treatment; maintains clinical case records, documentation, and case files
Refer clients to community programs and resources. Works closely with AA/NA volunteers.
Participate as part of treatment team (planning meetings, case presentation and discussions, and provides services in accordance with principles of a therapeutic community)
- Complete & maintain accurate and timely documentation and reports
- Maintain knowledge and adherence to compliance requirements for Joint Commission, ODBH, and COBH.
- Attend staff meetings, trainings, and conferences as required
Additional Information
This is an hourly position covered by the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of #10 on the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are Monday-Friday, working 7:30am-4pm or 8am-4:30pm plus one evening a week (usually Tuesdays) to accommodate hosting an AA meeting at the hospital. This position is located within our Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare campus at 2200 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43223.
Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.
Application Procedures
To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting.
We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions.
Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov).
We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.
Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.
All final applicants tentatively selected for this classification will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Qualifications
"Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor" credential recognized by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board or other Ohio licensing authority with jurisdiction over professionals authorized to provide counseling services (e. g., Medical Board Psychology Board Nursing Board Counselor & Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board) valid driver's license.
Job Skills: Counseling and Rehabilitation
ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free Workplace
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
Key Responsibilities
The counselor will conduct interviews, facilitate group and individual therapy, and develop treatment plans for patients with substance use disorders. They are also responsible for maintaining clinical documentation, performing case management, and coordinating with community resources.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Substance Use Counseling — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 6% are remote, 56% have no call, 90% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Ohio is 92.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$64k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $69k in an average-cost state. 61.3% of Ohio clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.0 / 10 · above average in substance use counseling | ranked against 43 Substance Use Counseling listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$69k in purchasing power | Ohio index 92.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Counselor listings in Ohio | 631 active | 13,510 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 6% remote · 56% no call · 90% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Counselor pay trend | +2.8% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Alcohol & Drug Counselor 2 (LCDC) - Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare at State of Ohio a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Substance Use Counseling — ranked against 43 active Substance Use Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.
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