Outpatient Addictions Counselor H (52045)

YSS; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

YSS is seeking an Outpatient Addictions Counselor to support youth with substance use disorders. The role includes leading counseling sessions, creating personalized treatment plans, and providing crisis support. Ideal candidates will have relevant experience and certifications, along with a commitment to youth empowerment and recovery.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Accrued PTO and paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Retirement offerings

Training opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience providing therapy.
• Training in substance use disorders.
• Commitment to ethical practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead individual and group counseling sessions.
• Develop and implement treatment plans.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.

Skills

Empathy

Insight

Counseling Skills

Crisis Intervention

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Psychology, Counseling

Iowa Substance Abuse Counselor Certification

Job description

Outpatient Addictions Counselor H (52045)

Join to apply for the Outpatient Addictions Counselor H (52045) role at YSS

Outpatient Addictions Counselor H (52045)

3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Outpatient Addictions Counselor H (52045) role at YSS

YSS is looking for a empathetic, insightful, and skilled Outpatient Addictions Counselor to help us make a lasting difference in the lives of young people facing substance use disorders. In this position you will play a vital role in supporting youth navigating substance use challenges by providing assessments and delivering both individual and group counseling in a safe, respectful, and empowering environment.

Responsibilities

Your role is instrumental in fostering mutual trust while guiding clients toward recovery and personal growth. As part of your daily responsibilities, you can expect to:

• Lead Individual and Group Counseling Sessions: Facilitate engaging and therapeutic sessions that offer clients the space to explore challenges, celebrate progress, and receive constructive feedback.
• Empower Client Autonomy: Support each client's right to make their own choices and respectfully help them navigate the natural consequences and reactions to those decisions.
• Develop and Implement Treatment Plans: Collaborate with clients to create personalized treatment plans, and take an active role in putting those plans into action.
• Provide Crisis Intervention: Respond effectively and compassionately to clients experiencing crisis, ensuring safety and emotional support.
• Conduct Educational Programming: Facilitate Substance Abuse Awareness Groups to promote understanding and informed decision-making around substance use and recovery.
  
  

This description is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.

We value your lived experience.

Do you have personal experience with substance use or addiction, with at least two years of current, continuous recovery? Are you passionate about sharing your story to support others on their journey to stability and healing?

If you can you serve as a positive role model for sustained sobriety, providing mentorship, guidance, and hope to residents, we strongly encourage you to apply for this position.

What you can expect in return...

Benefits

We believe in your potential, we meet you where you are, and we invest in your future. In addition to a welcoming workplace, collaborative and supportive colleagues, and mission-driven work that creates hope and opportunity by putting kids first, YSS offers the following benefits for this position:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Accrued PTO, plus paid time off for holidays, your birthday, and volunteering
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee recognition program
• Personal wellness programs
• Pet insurance discounts
• PSLF Program qualification
• Retirement offerings
• Training opportunities
  
  

This isn’t just a job - it’s a chance to be the spark in someone’s story. If you’re ready to inspire, connect, and lead with purpose, apply today and become part of something meaningful at YSS.

We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a “Can Do” Spirit.

MUST HAVES - Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, or a related discipline *
• Formal training in substance use disorders
• A minimum of two years of experience providing individual, group, or family therapy
• An Iowa Substance Abuse Counselor Certification, either a temporary-CADC or a CADC/IADC.
• If you are not certified at the time of hire, you will be required to complete certification within six months
  

SHOULD HAVES - Preferred Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in a related field *
• Committed to ethical practice and maintaining high standards of care
• Proven success working with high-risk adolescents and their families, with an ability to build rapport and establish trust
• Demonstrates exceptional communication skills—clear, compelling, and confident whether speaking, writing, listening, or presenting
• A natural collaborator who thrives in team environments and brings creative problem-solving, adaptability, and emotional intelligence to every interaction
• Strong organizational skills—able to manage time effectively, juggle multiple priorities, and follow through on responsibilities with precision
  
  

The IDEAL Candidate Will

• Be mission-driven, with a commitment to equity, inclusion, and positive social impact
• Approach their work with humility, respect, and sensitivity, honoring the diverse lived experiences of the individuals we serve
• Knowledgeable in Trauma-Informed Care, with a clear understanding of its role in youth development and recovery
• Demonstrate reliability and independence, managing responsibilities with minimal supervision
• Speak a second language (especially one spoken in our communities).
  
  

Who we are (and why you'll love us)...

We’re YSS—one of Iowa’s oldest and largest nonprofits dedicated to uplifting youth and putting kids first (because they deserve nothing less!). Our mission? To spark hope, create opportunities, and help young people thrive through education, counseling, and support that actually makes a difference. With a passionate, diverse leadership team and our brand-new, 50-acre recovery campus (yep, it’s as cool as it sounds), we’re growing fast and thinking big. We're not just keeping up with the times—we're shaping the future of care for youth and families in Iowa. Want to know more about our mission and all the awesome things we’re up to? Visit yss.org!

At YSS, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we live it, celebrate it, and grow from it every day. We believe the best teams are made up of all kinds of people, with all kinds of perspectives. That’s what makes us strong, creative, and downright awesome. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we’re all about creating a space where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to succeed—no matter your background, identity, or hairstyle. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is woven into everything we do, and we’re always working to do better, together.

YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.

Heads Up! Don’t Miss Our Messages! - Most of our communication with applicants happens through email—straight from our Paycom system. Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox (and maybe your spam/junk folder too, just in case our message took a detour). Got questions about your application or just want to say hi? Shoot us an email at [e-mail] - we’re happy to help!

The YSS Hiring Process

• Apply – Fill out the online app at yss.org/ysscareers.
• Assessment – We’ll check out your skills and experience.
• Interview – Phone, video, or in-person—we’ll chat and get to know you.
• References – Send us three+ people who can sing your praises.
• Screening – Background and driving checks (plus license verification if needed).
• Offer – If it’s a match, you’ll get a formal offer through Paycom.
• Applicable Degrees: Addiction Counseling, Addiction Studies, Adolescent Psychology, Behavioral Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Child Psychology, Clinical Mental Health, Corrections, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Family Science, Family Studies, Family Therapy, Human Services, Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Nursing, Psychology, Public Administration, Public Health, Rehabilitation Services, Social Work, Therapeutic Recreation, Youth Development, Youth Services
  
  

Keywords: Abuse, Addiction, Advocacy, Analysis, Assessment, At-risk, Behavioral, Care, Case, CBT, Centered, Client, Coach, Cognitive, Community, Coordination, Counseling, Crisis, Detox, Develop, Education, Engagement, Evaluation, Evidence-Based, Facilitation, Family, Flexibility, Group, Health, Holistic, Human, Individual, Informed, Inpatient, Intervention, Living, Management, Mental, Monitoring, Motivational, Outpatient, Outreach, Peer, Personalized, Planning, Plans, Prevention, Program, Psychiatry, Psychology, Recovery, Rehabilitation, Relapse, Services, Sober, Social, Specialist, Substance, Support, Technique, Therapeutic, Therapy, Trauma, Treatment, Use, Wellness

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Individual and Family Services

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