Substance Use Disorder Counselor
Listed compensation
$22.75-$28/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Lss Banner
Substance Use Disorder Counselor
Fahrman Center – Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
Full-Time | Benefit Eligible | Eau Claire, WI
Compensation
- SAC-IT: Starting at $22.75/hour
- SAC: Starting at $26.00/hour
- CSAC: Starting at $28.00/hour
Make a Difference Every Day
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is seeking a Substance Use Disorder Counselor to join our team at Fahrman Center. Fahrman Center is a 42-bed residential treatment facility providing substance use treatment for men and women in a supportive, recovery-focused environment.
As a Substance Use Disorder Counselor, you'll provide individual and group counseling, develop personalized treatment plans, and support clients throughout their recovery journey. Working alongside a multidisciplinary team, you'll help empower individuals to build healthier lives and achieve lasting recovery.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded as business needs require.
- Provide individual and group substance use counseling and case management services.
- Complete screenings, assessments, referrals, and documentation in accordance with agency, state, and federal requirements.
- Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans.
- Coordinate care with community providers and multidisciplinary team members.
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.
- Provide education and support to clients and their families.
- Facilitate recovery-focused groups and therapeutic services.
- Serve as a positive role model while promoting client engagement and recovery.
- Attend clinical supervision, staff meetings, and required trainings.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
- Paid Time Off, 10 Paid Holidays, and Personal Days
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Mileage Reimbursement
- Annual Merit Increases
- Employee Recognition and Service Awards
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
- Free clinical supervision and consultation
- Licensure and exam fee reimbursement
- Continuing education and professional development opportunities
Qualifications
Required
- Associate's degree in Human Services, Corrections, or a related field; bachelor's degree preferred.
- Valid Wisconsin Substance Abuse Counselor-In Training (SAC-IT) credential or higher.
- Valid driver's license with reliable transportation.
- Ability to pass required background, caregiver, and medical clearances.
Preferred
- One year of experience working in substance use treatment, behavioral health, corrections, or a related setting.
- Knowledge of addiction counseling, case management, and recovery principles.
- Experience coordinating care and working within a multidisciplinary treatment team.
Work Environment
This position is based in a residential treatment setting. Local travel may be required, with occasional overnight travel depending on program needs.
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and respected.
LSS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Key Responsibilities
Provide individual and group substance use counseling, case management, assessments, referrals, and personalized treatment planning for clients in a residential recovery setting. Coordinate care with community providers and the multidisciplinary team, maintain clinical documentation, and support clients and families through education and recovery-focused services.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 46% are remote, 34% have no call, 72% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Wisconsin is 94.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$53k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $56k in an average-cost state. 60.7% of Wisconsin clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $47k–$58k | Substance Use / Addiction Counselor median $58k (middle half $53k–$64k)437 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$56k in purchasing power | Wisconsin index 94.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings in Wisconsin | 239 active | 13,580 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 46% remote · 34% no call · 72% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | loan repayment | Wisconsin Counselor listings: 15% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 14% offer loan repayment239 active listings, Oct 2026 |
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