Substance Use Counselor 2
Listed compensation
$60k-$85k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.
Job Location (Full Address)
2613 W Henrietta Rd, Brighton, New York, United States of America, 14623
Opening
Worker Subtype
Regular
Time Type
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Department: 500130 Psychiatry SMH Addiction Psych
Work Shift
UR - Day (United States of America)
Range
UR URC 211
Compensation Range
$60,424.00 - $84,593.00
The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
Responsibilities
To provide outpatient counseling services under direct supervision as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team caring for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) as well as patients with co-occurring mental health disorders (COD) and their families when indicated.
Works on specific treatment goals as designed with supervision. Maintains productivity in accordance with program and departmental standards and complies with program and departmental policies and procedures.
The substance use counselor 2 will have direct supervisory or mentoring responsibilities for counselor interns and new staff. Reports to the Clinical Supervisor of assigned clinic.
Subscribes to the Department’s goal of creating a culturally competent environment by treating patients/families, trainees, research subjects and co-workers in a sensitive and caring manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences. Participates in available cultural competence events and trainings.
Essential Functions
Evaluation and Assessment:
Performs intake evaluations by direct interview of persons applying for treatment. Assesses chemical use history including pattern, type, and amount of use of licit, prescription, or illicit substances.
Assesses patients for symptoms of substance use disorder, psychosocial history including, motivation for change, and personal resources. Gathers family historical data concerning drug and alcohol usage, relationship, and current functioning; prepares oral and written clinical reports of interview. Prepares and submits written and oral reports with supervision.
*Percentage of time spent on this responsibility will vary based on role assignment.
Individual Counseling
Carries out counseling of SUD and COD patients within the structure of a comprehensive treatment plan. Demonstrates utilization of evidence-based practices and listening skills, empathy, confrontation and supportive skills, ability to monitor patient participation, engagement, and motivation. Demonstrates ability to communicate treatment with other members of interdisciplinary team. Establishes long-term counseling relationships with patients.
Group Therapy
Demonstrates ability to independently facilitate group therapy for persons with substance use disorders. Maintains a working knowledge of the concepts underlying group therapy. Develops creative group programming, organizing and managing group rosters and content specific documentation. *Percentage of time spent on this responsibility will vary based on role assignment.
Collaboration of Care
Coordination of care and support for persons with substance use disorders with entities such as family, other health-related agencies, employers, criminal justice programs, and social service. Adheres to rules of confidentiality when communicating with outside providers. Coordinates appropriate referrals to community providers.
Case Records/documentation
Maintains active case records including written strength-based treatment plans, problem-oriented progress notes, periodic updates of treatment plans, and appropriate documentation of incidents, discharge summaries, interagency communications, and correspondence.
Staff Development
- Participates in program staff development and informational activities including:
- Maintains continuing education in knowledge and skills affecting the discipline of substance use disorder counseling, and COD treatment, including attendance at in-service meetings.
- Provides on-site teaching to multi-disciplinary students observing program components and therapy.
- May give lectures/talks on specific topics to patients, and their families.
- Reports to clinical supervisor regularly for supervision of all clinical activity.
- Regular program multidisciplinary staff/team meetings to review policy, and procedures as well as conduct case reviews.
- Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to:
- Milieu supervisor
- Collaborative care sessions
- Mentor new staff and supervise interns
- Milieu supervisor management in clinic area
Toxicology Screen Monitoring
Assess patients for physical, behavioral signs of drug/alcohol use and perform BAC tests as needed.
Preparing and Administering Toxicology Screens
- Assist staff in assessing patient’s acting-out behavior, and develop a plan of action to help maintain the safety of other patients and staff in clinic.
- Provides supervision and consultation to Interns as assigned.
Minimum Education & Experience
Master's degree in a discipline related to human services and 1 year of related experience in substance use disorder treatment setting required
Or equivalent combination of education and experience
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to work as cotherapist in group therapy for alcohol/drug dependent persons and has a working knowledge of the concepts underlying group therapy including role of feelings, defenses required
Knowledge of legal rights and societal attitudes toward the alcoholic/addicted person in and out of treatment required
Addiction treatment. Counseling theories and techniques. Clinical writing. Health and human services resources; preferred.
Licenses and Certifications
- CASAC-T upon hire required
- CASAC Certification within 1 year required
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better.
In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics).
This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
Requirements
A master's degree in a human-services-related discipline and one year of experience in a substance use disorder treatment setting are required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Candidates must have CASAC-T upon hire and obtain CASAC certification within one year, with knowledge of addiction treatment and group counseling.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% are remote, 42% have no call, 62% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$73k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $67k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $60k–$85k | Substance Use / Addiction Counselor median $60k (middle half $55k–$63k)11 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$67k in purchasing power | New York index 107.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings in New York | 801 active | 13,555 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 38% remote · 42% no call · 62% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | New York Counselor listings: 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 10% offer loan repayment801 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Addiction Medicine listings | 437 in the last 30 days | 275 the 30 days before (+59%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| University of Rochester | #10 of 16 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
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