Job description template
Substance Abuse Counselor Job Description Template
A copy-ready substance abuse counselor job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.
Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows substance abuse counselors earn a median of $59,350 ($28.53/hour); the middle 50% earn $47,100–$76,530.
Job title
Substance Abuse Counselor
Job summary
[Company name] is seeking a dependable substance abuse counselor to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will assess clients’ substance use and mental health, develop treatment plans and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.
Responsibilities
- Assess clients’ substance use and mental health
- Develop treatment plans
- Lead individual and group counseling
- Teach coping and relapse prevention skills
- Work with families
- Coordinate with medical providers
- Document progress
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations
Required qualifications
- Master's degree
- Current license or certification as required by [state]
- Working knowledge of assessment and treatment planning
- Empathy and patience
- [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]
Preferred qualifications
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC/LMHC)
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
- NCAC I or II
- Experience with electronic health records
Skills
- Group facilitation
- Motivational interviewing
- Relapse prevention
- Documentation
- Boundaries
- Listening
Work environment and schedule
Counselors work in treatment centers, outpatient clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities and private offices. Most work full-time; residential programs may require evenings and weekends.
Pay and benefits
$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]
Equal opportunity
[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
Tips for a substance abuse counselor job posting that attracts applicants
- Use the title candidates search for. “Substance Abuse Counselor” is the clearest; alternates include Addiction Counselor, Mental Health Counselor, Behavioral Health Counselor.
- Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
- Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a substance abuse counselor so applicants self-select accurately.
- Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Substance Abuse Counselor training: widens your applicant pool.
Next steps
Screen and interview with our Substance Abuse Counselor hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.