SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELOR

About the role

Catholic Charities Family and Community Services (CCFCS) has been serving the community for over 100 years, walking with people at their most vulnerable as they journey toward independence. The organization proudly serves and employs people from all backgrounds and experiences. This position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others and be part of a team that changes lives every day.

Responsibilities

• Provide residential and clinical support services for substance‑use‑disorder clients, maintaining a caseload.
• Complete all required paperwork in compliance with agency and regulatory standards.
• Deliver individual therapy services and manage admissions, discharges, and treatment plans.
• Oversee medication processes and procedures for program participants.
• Provide case management to ensure client participation in treatment and support services.
• Collaborate with agency staff, outpatient providers, vocational/educational providers, criminal‑justice agencies, and community organizations to coordinate services.
• Assist clients in meeting Department of Human Services (DHS) requirements.
• Facilitate life‑skill programming (e.g., vocational/educational planning, parenting, anger management, financial literacy, community integration, medication and symptom management, relapse prevention).
• Coordinate outside speakers and lead one‑on‑one life‑skill education sessions.
• Monitor residents to maintain a safe therapeutic environment, conduct weekly house checks, and document incidents.
• Work with the Program Manager on monthly housekeeping reports and facility work‑order requests.
• Serve as point of contact for on‑call schedule in the Program Manager’s absence, providing crisis intervention and conflict management.
• Assist clients with food and hygiene needs as needed.
• Facilitate recreational activities, plan recreation nights, and secure department vehicle for community outings.
• Participate in all team and residential activities, mediate crises, and contribute to on‑call schedule.
• Communicate client needs to the Program Manager and cooperate with internal and external partners.
• Attend agency meetings, trainings, and pursue professional development through reading, supervision, in‑service training, conferences, and workshops.
• Support the agency’s Mission, Vision, Values, Strategic Plan, and Core Competency initiatives (Collaborative & Community Focused, Innovative & Entrepreneurial, Culturally Competent & Diverse).

Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s Degree in Social Work or a related Human Services field (required).
• Credentials: Valid, clean NYS driver’s license; QHP‑CASAC‑T, CASAC, LMSW, LCSW, NCCC, LMHC, CRC, RN, or PhD (required); recovery peer‑advocate training (preferred).
• Experience: Minimum two years working with substance‑use‑disorder or mental‑health clients (preferred); bilingual in Spanish (preferred).
• Counselor Levels:
  • Counselor I – CASAC‑T qualification.
  • Counselor II – CASAC qualification.
  • Counselor III – Master CASAC, Specialty CASAC, or other QHP qualification.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and 403(b) retirement plan.
• Generous time‑off package and work‑life balance.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Opportunities for growth and development.
• Intrinsic reward of making a difference in people’s lives.

Pay

$22.50‑$24.00 per hour.

Schedule

Full‑time, Sunday – Thursday, 11 am – 7 pm.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

The role requires frequent sitting, talking, hearing, standing, walking, and light lifting. Vision requirements include close, distance, and focus adjustment. The work environment is usually quiet.

All duties must comply with federal and state laws, confidentiality and privacy regulations, and CCFCS’s corporate compliance and ethics program. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.