Alcohol & Drug Counselor

Mn Adult & Teen Challenge; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge is seeking an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) to deliver treatment services under DHS guidelines. You’ll assess clients, develop plans, provide individual and group counseling, and document care.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree, Minnesota LADC license, and BBHT licensure readiness; 21+ years old, strong communication, and teamwork. A $5,000 hiring incentive is available to support onboarding.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and Minnesota LADC license with ongoing CE requirements.
• Ability to meet BBHT licensure requirements and staff requirements per Minnesota statutes (245G.11).
• 21+ years of age and ability to work with clients facing addiction and mental health challenges.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with clients, staff, and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Assess clients using ASAM criteria within five days of service initiation.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with goals, methods and referrals.
• Provide individual counseling and group therapy for co-occurring conditions.
• Maintain accurate, timely case records and documentation of services.
• Participate in weekly treatment team meetings and coordinate with referral sources.
• Contribute to program quality improvements to meet licensure needs.
• Complete discharge summaries at end of services.
• Uphold ethical standards and DHS regulations.

Skills

Client assessment

Individual counseling

Group therapy

Documentation

Team collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Discharge summaries

Communication skills

Values alignment

Education

Bachelor's degree

LADC license (Minnesota)

BBHT licensure requirements

21+ years of age

Job description

Be the backbone of hope and healing. At Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, every role matters in helping people overcome addiction and find a new path forward. Whether you’re working directly with clients or supporting behind the scenes, your contributions make recovery possible. In return, we offer a values-driven workplace, supportive managers, and opportunities to grow. That commitment has earned us recognition from Newsweek as a Best Addiction Treatment Center and seven straight Star Tribune Top Workplace awards.

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC)

$5,000 Hiring Incentive!

About The Role

As an Alcohol and Drug Counselor, you’ll play a central role in delivering treatment services and making sure every client receives the care required by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Working with clients individually and in groups, you’ll help them identify and work through challenges related to substance use, mental health, emotional well‑being, and family relationships, supporting meaningful, lasting personal growth.

What You’ll Do

• Assess clients: Complete a comprehensive assessment and assessment summary of each client’s substance use within five calendar days of service initiation, using ASAM criteria.
• Build treatment plans: Develop individualized treatment plans that outline treatment goals, specific methods for addressing identified problems, referral resources, and client goals, and update them throughout the course of treatment.
• Counsel and facilitate groups: Provide individual counseling and group therapy for clients with co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions. Lead groups on addiction and recovery, and deliver lecture‑style psychoeducation on related topics.
• Document care: Maintain accurate, timely, and professional case records for your caseload, including all treatment activities, services, and assessments of substance use and mental health.
• Collaborate: Participate in weekly treatment team meetings to review client progress, and maintain ongoing communication with referral sources, probation officers, and social service agencies.
• Support program quality: Help evaluate and refine program design to meet licensure requirements and client needs.
• Close out treatment: Complete discharge summaries for each client at the end of services.
• Uphold standards: Comply with all federal and state statutes, DHS regulations, and the ethical standards of the profession.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree
• Current Minnesota Alcohol and Drug Counselor license (LADC), with ongoing continuing education to maintain it
• Ability to meet licensure requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) and staff requirements under Minnesota Statutes
• 245G.11
• At least 21 years of age
• At least one year of freedom from problematic substance use
• Comfort and compassion working with people facing life‑controlling challenges, including addiction and mental health conditions
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills with close attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with clients, staff, and leadership
• Alignment with MnTC’s culture of honor and core values: compassion, honor, respect, integrity, servanthood, and trust

Physical Requirements

The following are representative of the physical demands of this role:

• Stand and walk frequently throughout the shift
• Climb multiple flights of stairs several times per shift
• Lift up to 15 pounds

Target Compensation (Negotiable Based On Qualifications)

LADC: $61,000-$65,000

ADC‑T: $57,000-$61,000

We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool in order to successfully meet our mission of helping every Minnesotan find help and healing from addiction.

Mn Adult & Teen Challenge is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any category protected by federal, state or applicable laws.

Reasonable accommodation is provided upon request.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• LADC

Motivations

Preferred

• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.