Behavioral Hlth Counselor 2

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$52k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia!

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Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens!

Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career!

Job Title

Behavioral Hlth Counselor 2

Job Requisition ID

JR0000001914

Number of Openings

1

Shift: Any (United States of America)

Compensation Details

SALARY: $52,074.88

Job Description

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is currently seeking candidates for the position of Substance Abuse Counselor on the Forensic Mental Health Treatment Mall at Georgia Regional Hospital - Atlanta, located in Decatur, GA.

  • Salary: $52,074.88
  • Job Grade: H

Job Description

Provide individual and group counseling to individuals with concurrent severe persistent mental illness and substance use disorders residing at three community integration homes for adults under the supervision of a State or Superior Court.

Job Responsibilities & Performance Standards

Counsel clients in individual and group sessions to help them, build coping strategies, recover from illness, and safely transition from a psychiatric hospital to the community

  • Conduct substance use assessments utilizing clinical interviews and evidence-based assessment measures
  • Maintain confidentiality of records relating to client's treatment
  • Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan
  • Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.

Sample Technical Competencies

Ability to communicate confidentiality policies Ability to assemble test materials and makes appropriate arrangements for a test site Ability to clearly explain test procedures to consumers Ability to provide helpful input into determining appropriate tests for consumers Ability to administer tests promptly and according to specific directions Ability to develop and implement treatment/case plans.

Due to the volume of resumes/applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or email. Please be assured that your resume/application will be evaluated and we will contact you if we need clarification or additional information. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by the hiring agency.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.

Master’s degree or higher qualification, in clinical/counseling psychology, or closely related field. Experience working with severe and persistent mental health issues and/or developmental ability.

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor – CADC I or II or Certified Addition Counselor - CAC

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in in counseling or a related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of job-related experience; or one (1) year of experience at the lower level Behavioral Hlth Counselor 1 (HCP100) or position equivalent.--Note: Some positions may require certification or licensure.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.

Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.

Key Responsibilities

Provide individual and group counseling to adults with severe mental illness and substance use disorders residing in community integration homes. Conduct clinical assessments, develop treatment plans, and maintain accurate records of client progress.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor's degree in counseling or a related field with two years of experience, or a master's degree. Candidates must possess relevant professional certifications such as CADC or CAC.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual counselingSubstance use assessmentClinical interviewingTreatment planningCase managementMental health counselingCrisis interventionConfidentiality complianceDocumentationReporting

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% are remote, 26% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Georgia is 96.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$52k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $54k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Georgia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Addiction Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Top Counselor Jobs

34 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution34 jobs · 16 employers

8
<$80k
6
$80k-95k
8
$95k-110k
10
$110k-125k
2
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks32 jobs · 16 employers

401k / retirement match
100% this job
Sign-on bonus
44%
CME allowance
19%
Loan repayment
3%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 1.5
Below most Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,292 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Decatur

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$256k≈ 4.9× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,739/mo≈ 40% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
26 min
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

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