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DAP Health
Palm Springs, California

Addiction Counselor

CounselorIncludes callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$24.44-$27.5/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 6mo ago

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: DAP Health Sunrise - Palm Springs, CA 92262Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $24.44 - $27.50 HourlyJob Category: Health CareAt DAP Health, we are committed to transforming lives and advancing health equity for all.

As a leading nonprofit health care provider, we deliver compassionate, high-quality care to the diverse communities of the Coachella Valley and San Diego County. Our comprehensive services range from primary care to mental health, wellness programs, and beyond, with a focus on those who are most vulnerable.

Joining our team means becoming part of a passionate, innovative organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. If you're looking for a dynamic and purpose-driven environment, we invite you to explore the opportunity to contribute to our mission.

Job Summary The Addiction Counselor is a role within the Client Wellness Center which provides structured counseling and support to clients facing substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, or other psychosocial challenges.

This role delivers evidence-based, trauma-informed care through individual and group counseling, assessments, treatment planning, and care coordination. They work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to support clients in achieving sustained recovery, improved wellness, and personal empowerment.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None Essential Duties/Responsibilities Assess clients’ needs and readiness for substance use disorder treatment Awareness of, and willingness to use multiple strategies that meet clients’ needs, including individual counseling, group counseling, or harm reduction tools Participate in additional specialty training to enhance services offered to clients and patients.

These might include facilitator training for SMART Recovery, Seeking Safety, Freedom from Smoking, or other evidenced-based programs which meet community and patient demands.

Offer judgement-free individual support for clients who are in varying degrees of recovery Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients Coordination of alternative care, if necessary, which may include medication assisted treatment, in-patient treatment, and mental health treatment Assist clients with resource navigation, connecting individuals to relevant community services and support Work with each client to identify "high risk" situations and triggers that may threaten their recovery and provide effective coping/relapse prevention strategies Walk the client through the process of entering in-patient treatment by collaborating with the Riverside County CARES team.

Guide clients through the initial intake call and obtain their psychiatric and medical clearance via their clinician or through the 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care, and obtain transportation to an in-patient treatment center, if necessary.

Maintain community outreach contacts with local substance use treatment facilities and collaborate with service providers in providing intake services for clients Act as the liaison between the 12-Step community and the Wellness Center, including scheduling onsite meetings and communicating any facility closures that will affect meeting schedule Perform other duties as assigned Qualifications

Required Skills/Abilities Ensure compliance with licensing requirements, ethical standards, HIPAA, and program policies Maintain an understanding of Motivational Interviewing techniques as it relates to promoting readiness to change Knowledge of addiction, varying recovery models, and co-occurring disorders Strong documentation, communication, and interpersonal skills The ideal candidate should demonstrate a strong commitment to providing culturally responsive, inclusive, and affirming care to individuals from diverse backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This role requires the ability to create and maintain a nonjudgmental, respectful, and emotionally safe therapeutic environment for all clients.

Education and Experience Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor Level I (CADC-I) certification or Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC-I) certification with active licensure Group facilitation experience Experience and skills sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and to teach these skills to clients Current BLS certification obtained through the American Heart Association, American Red Cross or American Safety and Health Institute is required; must obtain within 90 days of hire Working Conditions/Physical

Requirements

This position is on-site at DAP Health Sunrise; however, occasional travel to other clinics for collaborative care may be incorporated Requires current and valid driver’s license and current personal auto insurance Able to travel to DAP Health locations throughout San Diego and Riverside Ability to lift 24 pounds Operates in an office setting and requires frequent times of sitting, standing, repetitive motion and talking

Key Responsibilities

The Addiction Counselor provides evidence-based, trauma-informed individual and group counseling to clients with substance use and co-occurring disorders. They collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop treatment plans, coordinate care, and facilitate access to community resources and in-patient services.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a CADC-I or CATC-I certification and possess experience in group facilitation. A current BLS certification and a valid driver's license with personal auto insurance are also required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance use disorder counselingCrisis interventionPsychosocial assessment

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% are remote, 34% have no call, 54% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$54k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $49k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

41 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution41 jobs · 24 employers

8
<$90k
14
$90k-105k
8
$105k-120k
11
$120k-135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks33 jobs · 24 employers

401k / retirement match
97%
Sign-on bonus
39%
CME allowance
30%
Loan repayment
15%
PSLF eligible
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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+ 39 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 1.5
Below most Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings for work-life

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

  • Includes call

Living in Palm Springs

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$833k
Typical market rent
$2,110/mo
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
106.4
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 · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.