Lead SUD Counselor (PM Shift)

Mission Edge; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health premiums paid

Dental & Vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA)

Generous paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

403(b) Retirement match

Paid holidays

Job summary

Stepping Stone of San Diego is seeking a Lead SUD Counselor for the PM shift to oversee residential SUD counseling staff within a 24‑hour treatment setting. This exempt, full‑time role reports to the Program Manager as part of Stepping Stone’s LGBTQIA+ focused recovery program.

You will supervise SUD counselors, coordinate weekly schedules, and ensure compliance with DMC‑ODS, HIPAA, and program policies. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 2 years supervising a team; SUD team preferred.
• Active CCAPP/CAADE/CADTP registration with renewal within 5 years.
• Credential renewals kept current.
• CPR/First Aid certification current.
• ASAM training completed or within 10 days of hire.
• Culturally competent, LGBTQI+ aware.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a group.
• Multitasking in a residential setting.
• Flexible hours—days, nights, weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Supervise SUD Counselors and residential staff; direct daily ops.
• Ensure health, safety, clinical, DMC-ODS standards.
• Oversee staff duties, audits, transport, and daily ops.
• Develop and manage weekly staffing, payroll, and coverage.
• Provide counseling, case management for 2–3 residents.
• Lead weekly Treatment Team meetings and Leadership Groups.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary care for residents.
• Address concerns and escalate safety/clinical issues.
• Participate in on-call crisis management.
• Process UA results and maintain supplies.
• Coordinate off-site activities and transportation.
• Review and approve weekly payroll.
• Support audits and compliance reviews.
• Train, coach, and onboard staff.
• Maintain PHI in HIPAA compliance.
• Attend meetings and perform duties to support goals.
• Model professional leadership and ethical conduct.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Verbal communication

Independent & team work

Multi-tasking

Time management

Flexible hours

Driver's license

Education

CCAPP/CAADE/CADTP active registration

CPR/First Aid Certification

ASAM Training

Tools

SmartCare EHR

Optum SUDPOH forms

Job description

Lead SUD Counselor (PM Shift)

Department: Managed Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: San Diego

Description

This Job is for:
Stepping Stone of San Diego
Location: 3767 Central Avenue

San Diego, CA 92105

Position Title: LEAD SUD Counselor
Shift: PM shift
Department: Residential Services
Report to: Program Manager
Salary Range: $70,500 - $75,000
Type: Full Time, Exempt
** Stepping Stone partners with Mission Edge to support our recruitment and hiring process. Because of this partnership, you'll see Mission Edge's name on this posting and on our application platform. Throughout the process, you may receive communication from both Mission Edge and Stepping Stone. Rest assured that both are part of the same hiring team, and all messages relate to your application with Stepping Stone**
Position SummaryStepping Stone of San Diego is a non-profit that specializes in the LGBTQIA+ addiction recovery, mental health and housing programs. Our Residential Program is a County-funded Drug Medi-Cal in-patient recovery program with 31 beds, and a team of counselors, peer support, mental health and wrap‑around services.
The Residential LEAD SUD Counselor will manage our SUD Counselors along with their counterpart, the Co-LEAD SUD Counselor, to help our 24‑hour Residential Substance Use Treatment facility function at its best and in compliance with DMC-ODS health and safety guidelines. The Co-LEAD counselors report to the Program Manager and are responsible for supervising and training our front‑line SUD counselors, leading staff team meetings, managing the weekly treatment schedule and ensuring appropriate staffing for the daily operations of a fast‑paced residential setting.

Essential Funtions

• Supervise SUD Counselors and residential support staff, directing daily operations, workflow, staffing, and group coverage.
• Ensure the residential environment meets health, safety, clinical, DMC-ODS, and organizational standards.
• Oversee residential staff duties, medication audits, room searches, transportation, and other daily program operations.
• Develop and manage weekly SUD staffing schedule, Med Call schedule, Residential Testing schedule, and Program Group Curriculum with support from Co-LEAD SUD Counselor and Program Manager. Find or provide coverage for staff “call out”, vacations or holiday leave.
• Provide addiction recovery counseling, case management, and SUD assessments for an assigned caseload of 2–3 residents; maintain current residential problem lists.
• Conduct weekly Treatment Team meetings and Leadership Groups to support resident progress, accountability, and recovery.
• Communicate with the multidisciplinary team in a timely, effective, and professional manner to support coordinated resident care and program integrity.
• Address and resolve resident and staff concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and behavioral issues; elevate safety or clinical concerns to the Program Manager as needed.
• Participate in on-call crisis management.
• Processing UA results. Reviewing results, reporting findings and processing for files. Maintaining UA supplies in house.
• Coordinate approved off-site activities, including at least one structured house activity per quarter, and manage resident outside meeting schedules and transportation with approved drivers.
• Review and approve weekly payroll for direct reports.
• Support county and state audits, inspections, and compliance reviews; ensure program practices and documentation meet applicable requirements.
• Train, coach, and mentor staff on policies, procedures, clinical practices, and program expectations; support onboarding of new SUD staff.
• Maintain client confidentiality and Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with HIPAA, applicable laws, and organizational policies.
• Attend required meetings and trainings and perform additional duties necessary to support program operations and agency goals.
• Model professional leadership, accountability, ethical conduct, and sound clinical judgment in all aspects of the role.
• Other duties as assigned by Program Manager/Program Director or necessary to support the program, office and/or the agency.

Minimum Qualifications / Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 years experience supervising a team. Supervision of an SUD team strongly preferred.
• Currently maintaining active registration through CCAPP, CAADE, or CADTP with completion and certification within 5 years of hire
• Assure timely renewal of credentials
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification (or within 90 days of hire)
• ASAM Training (or within 10 days of hire)
• Cultural competency and understanding working in the social determinants of health impacting LGBTQI+ communities
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in a group setting
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and shifting priorities within a residential setting
• Ability to work productively in a fast‑paced environment
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner according to program expectations
• Ability to meet deadlines with documentation according to state, county, and program expectations
• Ability to work flexible hours - days, nights, and weekends as needed for a residential setting
• Ability to be on callye?
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with the LGBTQIA+ community
• 1 to 2 years’ experience serving clients in a human services setting
• Previous experience working in an SUD residential program setting
• Experience with SmartCare or other forms of electronic health records
• Experience with Optum – SUDPOH county forms used for AOD documentation
• Written and spoken bilingual fluency in Spanish and English
• Completion of SUD credentialing educational requirements

Environmental Factors/Benefits

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements

• While primarily working indoors, counselors also work with clients outdoors
• Regularly lift 15 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds
• Holiday, evening, and weekend work may be required
• Transporting residents to and from activities and or appointments

Benefits Package

Stepping Stone is proud to offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees, representing the potential additional $10,000+ on average per full-time employee above base pay, including but not limited to:

• Health Premiums company paid, including Acupuncture and Chiropractic
• Dental & Vision company paid
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care & Dependent Care)
• Generous paid time off – sick & vacation
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) Retirement Employer Match up to 5%
• 15 Paid Holidays, including floating holidays
• Life/AD&D Insurance company paid
• Long Term Disability Insurance company paid

About Stepping Stone

Stepping Stone of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has served San Diego since 1976. Its mission is “Saving LGBTQ+ lives through community-centered recovery.” It began as a four-bed residence for gay men in early recovery. Today it is a recovery organization built by and for the LGBTQ+ community, licensed and certified by the California Department of Health Care Services. It offers affirming, trauma-informed, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Its services include residential treatment at its Central Avenue facility, the Stepping Out outpatient program, and three sober living homes for people building stability after treatment. Its care also reaches people on Medi-Cal. Stepping Stone is more than a treatment provider. It is a community where everyone in recovery can heal, belong and thrive.

Stepping Stone of San Diego provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, age, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, caregiver status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.