SUTS Counselor - Mental Health 357
Listed compensation
$23-$23.71/hr
The week · per this posting
Ask the employer about the work setting and time off.
Job Description
“They made it easier for me to live, breathe, eat, and stay clean. Without them, I’d be waiting somewhere, waiting for someone to give me a chance to live...” – Client from Telecare
What You Will Do to Change Lives
The SUTS Counselor provides substance use treatment services to clients including individual and group counseling, family counseling, completing ASAM's, assessment, treatment and discharge planning, case management, linkages, referrals, and other supportive services to adults.
In Voluntary Residential Substance Use Treatment Programs, the term “member” means “resident” in consistence with Title 9.
Shifts Available
On-Call | Shifts and days vary as needed
Expected starting wage range is $23.00 - $23.71. Telecare applies geographic differentials to its pay ranges. The pay range assigned to this role will be based on the geographic location from which the role is performed. Starting pay is commensurate with relevant experience above the minimum requirements.
What You Bring to the Table (Must Have)
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT) as approved by DHCS the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and one (1) year experience as RADT in an AOD program
- Must maintain active status of certification and continuing education as required by licensing board
- Within two (2) months of employment, ability to apply financial requirements for billing and learn billing codes
- Demonstrated sensitivity to behavioral health issues and multi-cultural populations (e. g., exposure through family relationships, volunteering, or other previous experience(s) or coursework)
- Strong focus and passion to provide excellent customer service
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be CPR, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and First Aid certified on date of employment or within 60 days of employment and maintain current certification throughout employment
- All opportunities at Telecare are contingent upon successful completion and receipt of acceptable results of the applicable post-offer physical examination, 2-step PPD test for tuberculosis, acceptable criminal background clearances, excluded party sanctions, and degree or license verification. If the position requires driving, valid driver’s license, a motor vehicle clearance and proof of auto insurance is required at time of employment and must be maintained throughout employment. Additional regulatory, contractual or local requirements may apply
- Valid and current driver’s license, and personal vehicle insurance with your name listed as a driver.
- Willingness to use the company vehicle to drive clients to appointments and groups, etc.
What’s In It For You*
- Paid Time Off: Eligible employees (20+ hours/week) earn PTO each pay period for vacation and personal needs, with pro-rated accrual for part-time schedules and annual carryover up to set caps.
- Nine Paid Holidays & Shift differentials for hourly staff (6% for PM Shift, 10% for NOC Shift). Weekend Shift differentials for hourly staff (5% for Weekend AM Shift, 11% for Weekend PM Shift, 15% for Weekend NOC Shift)
- Free CEUs, free Supervision for BBS Associate License, coaching, and mentorship
- Online University Tuition Discount and Company Scholarships
- Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance, 401K, Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- For more information visit: telecarecorp.com
Join Our Compassionate Team
Telecare's mission is to deliver excellent and effective behavioral health services that engage individuals in recovering their health, hopes, and dreams.
Telecare continues to advance cultural diversity, humility, equity, and inclusion at all levels of our organization by hiring mental health peers, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and all belief systems.
Adult residents of Kern County who are intoxicated from either alcohol or drugs, and are referred to the Recovery Station. These individuals previously may have been arrested for public intoxication and/or taken to unnecessary psychiatric crisis programs. Clinicians and peer staff will engage clients to connect with ongoing substance and/or mental health services, ensure linkage and “warm hand-offs” to other community-based services, and post-discharge follow-up.
EOE AA M/F/V/Disability
*May vary by location and position type
Full Job Description will be provided if selected for an interview.
If job posting references any sign-on bonus internal applicants and applicants employed with Telecare in the previous 12 months would not be eligible.
Key Responsibilities
The SUTS Counselor provides substance use treatment services, including individual, group, and family counseling, as well as assessment and treatment planning. They also manage client linkages, referrals, and provide supportive services within a residential treatment setting.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a high school diploma or G.E.D. and possess a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT) certification with at least one year of experience. Additionally, the role requires CPR, First Aid, and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certifications, along with a valid driver's license.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates SUTS Counselor - Mental Health 357 at Telecare a 7.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Counseling — ranked against 13,190 active Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties, no weekend requirements.
Substance Use Treatment — Counselor Career Context
Telecare ranks #10 of 21 employers hiring contract/1099 Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.
In California, the Counselor weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$81k (1,314 salary observations; 3,451 listings), vs ~$73k nationally (10,111 salary observations; 46,259 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2025-12-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 7.1 / 10 · top 25% in counseling | ranked against 13,190 Counseling listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $48k–$49k | Counselor median $56k (middle half $48k–$83k)48 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| California vs national | $81k median in California | $73k nationally (+12%)1,314 state / 10,111 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$44k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| All counselor listings in California | 1,039 active | 13,299 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 9% remote · 35% no call · 93% no weekends43 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | California counselor listings (all specialties): 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| Counselor pay trend (all specialties) | −1.3% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
| Telecare | #10 of 21 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
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