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Mental health

Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Special Service for Groups, Inc - HOPICS$29.00–$33.00/hrLos Angeles, CAFull timePosted 3w ago
  • Driver's license

How this pay compares

This posting states $29–$33 an hour. Open substance abuse counselor jobs in California post a median of $29 an hour, the middle half $25–$31, across 9 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post. Substance abuse counselors employed in California earn a median of $28.48 an hour (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).

Substance abuse counselors in California: pay by town and employer

The Mental Health & Social Work job market: pay, applicant demand and hiring, researched nightly

About the job

SPECIAL SERVICE FOR GROUPS, INC.

Job Announcement

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Title: Certified SUD Counselor Division: HOPICS

FLSA: Non-Exempt/Full time Supervisor: Drug Medi-Cal Program Manager

Pay Range or Rate: $29.00 - $33.00 per hour Revised: 6.17.26

________________________________________________________________________________________

Summary

Certified SUD Counselor: Under the direction of the DMC Program Supervisor the Certified Substance Use

Disorder Counselor will provide individual and group services to the DMC Program clients. Certified SUD

Counselor will conduct intakes/assessments, treatment planning, individual counseling services within scope of

practice, and recovery services, up and to discharge.

Essential Functions

Substance Use Disorder Counselor will provide

  • Will provide group and individual SUD counseling services utilizing evidence based practice theory.
  • Will provide case management/care coordination services
  • Will facilitate in collaboration with SUD clients to develop and complete all necessary documents for treatment

planning, and implementation.

  • Will facilitate in collaboration with SUD clients to develop and implement relapse prevention plans.
  • Will provide services in both English and Spanish as required based on clients’ needs
  • Will document progress notes daily (within 24 hours of service) to capture all activities for each Drug Medi-Cal

client.

  • Will input client data into the designated EHR/PCNX system.
  • Will administer drug tests/UA/Toxicology to Drug Medi-Cal clients while following the correct protocols and

procedures.

  • Will meet or exceed 70 percent productivity as outlined by SSG.
  • Will be able to document in accordance with established standards of care on a daily basis.
  • Will maintain boundaries, adhere to SSG's Code of Ethics and HOPICS' Core Values, and represent

the agency in a professional manner at meetings and community events.

  • Maintain files/records on client services in compliance with HIPAA & CFR42 and other funding requirements

for auditing purposes

  • Participate in weekly supervision (group/individual)
  • Incumbent must be able to work with people experiencing homelessness.
  • Incumbent must display the ability to work effectively with adults with co-occurring substance use, history of

abuse, as well as mental /physical/developmental disabilities

  • Able to work with clients from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, in Spanish to provide treatment to Spanish speaking

clients.

  • Ability to motivate/communicate effectively with individuals receiving SUD Counseling/Treatment
  • Will participate in all required meetings, training, collaborations, and Behavioral Health Team meetings

within the program and be prepared to discuss, educate, present or evaluate the nature and progress of

presenting issues

  • Will attend other meetings, training sessions, and seminars as needed to effectively perform duties

affiliated with this position

Secondary Functions

  • Perform other duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor, Senior Manager, Associate Director of

Behavioral Health Services and/or Division Director

  • Provide support to administrative and data-related information technology department functions
  • Overtime, holiday, or weekend work is required as assigned

Minimum Qualifications - Knowledge. Skills and Abilities Required

  • Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check.
  • 5 years of SUD Counselor work experience
  • Knowledge of DSM-V Substance Abuse Criteria
  • Knowledge of 12 step programs
  • Ability to manage group settings
  • Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
  • Experienced on Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Must be a Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor with the approved certifying board, CAADE,

CCAPP, CADTP

  • Annual TB test clearance
  • Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles
  • Drivers license is required with the ability to show proof of valid and up to date car insurance.
  • Reliable transportation
  • If in recovery, a minimum of three (3) years of being drug and alcohol free is MANDATORY.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

  • Knowledge: Of Addictions, and effects/ symptoms of drug/alcohol choices. Skills:

level of competency or proficiency needed for task performance

  • Abilities: trait or capability necessary to perform the job
  • Proficient in providing substance use disorder treatment in both English and

Spanish a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This person has no supervising duties.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

This position will require extensive interaction with homeless individuals, individuals with severe mental and

physical disabilities, the possibilities of individuals with infectious diseases, and other possible dangers associated

with working in areas of high crime. You may be exposed to aggressive hostile clients. Incumbent must be ready

to deal with traumas which may trigger personal trauma, must work in conjunction with other collaborative staff

members, communicate with several sources including courts, Department of Children and Family Services, Law

Enforcement, and other community agencies

Physical Requirements

  • The incumbent typically spends time sitting, standing, typing, thinking, writing, walking, driving, listening,

and speaking.

  • Must have the ability to lift up to 25lbs

Mental Requirements

The incumbent to be able to perform effectively under any and all of the following: unpredictable situations,

crisis, constant distractions, interruptions, uncontrollable changes in priorities/ work schedules, be able to process

information, think and conceptualize. You must be able to effectively deal with personal trauma that may be

triggered.

Special Service for Groups is an Equal opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer

From Special Service for Groups, Inc - HOPICS's job posting, checked 4 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Special Service for Groups, Inc - HOPICS

Special Service for Groups, Inc - HOPICS hires mental health staff and allied health staff in Los Angeles, California.

Hires in CaliforniaPay on its listings: 72.7% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

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