Substance Abuse Counselor

Paycom; New York (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter (NCS) in New York, NY is seeking a Substance Use Counselor for the Chance for Change program, an OASAS-licensed outpatient clinic serving adults facing substance use, mental health, and homelessness.

The counselor will provide integrated treatment, individual counseling, group therapy, and community-based services in a harm-reduction, trauma-informed setting within a welcoming clubhouse model.

Qualifications

• Current NYS credential: LMSW, LMHC, CASAC or CASAC-T.
• Experience with substance use, mental health and co-occurring disorders.
• Experience serving underserved or homeless populations.
• Harm reduction, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented approaches.
• Proficient with EHR systems (AWARDS).

Responsibilities

• Provide integrated dual-diagnosis treatment within Chance for Change.
• Deliver individual and group counseling; assist with case management.
• Coordinate with community resources and referrals for MAT and housing.
• Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with policy.
• Engage in community outreach and clubhouse-based activities.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Harm reduction

Trauma-informed care

Recovery-oriented principles

EHR proficiency (AWARDS)

Education

LMSW

LMHC

CASAC

CASAC-T

Tools

AWARDS EHR

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: NY 10021 Salary Range: $60,000.00 - $60,000.00 Salary

Are you a counselor who believes recovery begins with meeting people where they are?

Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter (NCS) is seeking a compassionate and skilled Substance Use Counselor to join our Chance for Change (CFC) program, an OASAS-licensed outpatient clinic serving adults experiencing substance use challenges, mental health concerns, and homelessness.

The program provides a welcoming, recovery-oriented environment where members access integrated treatment, build community, and work toward stability and wellness. Counselors play a key role in supporting members through individual counseling, group therapy, and community-based services within a harm-reduction and trauma-informed framework.

The program’s comfortable clubhouse-style environment provides members with a safe and supportive space to engage in treatment, build relationships, and strengthen their recovery.

Why Join Chance for Change?

Join a collaborative team committed to helping individuals rebuild stability, strengthen recovery, and reconnect with community.

Clinical Supervision Toward Licensure

Our Senior Director is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who can provide clinical supervision hours for LMSWs pursuing LCSW licensure. CASAC-T counselors may also receive supervised hours toward CASAC credentialing.

Mission-Driven Work with Real Community Impact

Chance for Change serves individuals facing complex challenges including substance use disorders, mental health conditions, homelessness, and chronic health concerns. Our team is committed to providing respectful, person-centered care that promotes dignity, recovery, and long-term stability.

A Collaborative 'Clubhouse' Treatment Environment

Unlike traditional clinical settings, our program operates within a welcoming clubhouse model, where staff and members build a supportive community through therapeutic groups, meals, celebrations, and daily activities that strengthen recovery and connection.

Position Summary:

The Substance Use Counselor provides integrated dual-diagnosis treatment for members participating in the Chance for Change program. The counselor works collaboratively with program staff to address both substance use and mental health needs while supporting members in achieving greater stability, wellness, and recovery.

Services are delivered both on-site and in community settings, as appropriate, and include individual counseling, group facilitation, case management, and coordination with community resources.

About Us:

NCS helps New Yorkers who have a history of homelessness, often compounded by mental illness or substance use, to achieve their highest level of independence.

We were established in 1982 by faith and community leaders on Manhattan’s Upper East Side who believed that homelessness is the responsibility of the entire community. More than 40 years later, we are still guided by the principle that neighbors should help neighbors.

Today, NCS offers an array of housing and supportive services, including counseling, substance use treatment, vocational and educational programs, and employment support, and we are poised for continued growth.

NCS provides New Yorkers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with a home, a community, and access to the services that they need to thrive. To learn more about our work, please visit Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter (ncsinc.org).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Program Director to maintain a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all program members.
• Provide integrated treatment for members with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
• Conduct person-centered intake assessments and develop individualized recovery care plans.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling as appropriate.
• Deliver services off-site in the community, including SBIRT screenings, referrals for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), housing, and behavioral health services.
• Offer case management services with a holistic, trauma-informed, and harm reduction-focused approach.
• Facilitate therapeutic and recreational groups that support emotional regulation, recovery, and social connection.
• Participate in community-building activities such as member meals, award ceremonies, holiday events, and volunteer-led programs.
• Monitor toxicology results and incorporate findings into the therapeutic process.
• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate documentation in compliance with OASAS and agency policy and procedure standards.
• Create and update recovery care plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and any other required documentation.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned as needed.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to and passion for NCS’s mission.
• Current valid credential in New York State as one of the following: LMSW, LMHC, CASAC, or CASAC-T.
• Experience working with individuals with substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders, ideally within underserved or homeless populations.
• Strong understanding of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and recovery-oriented principles.
• Knowledge of community-based resources, housing programs, and behavioral health systems.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in office, clubhouse, and community-based settings.
• Computer proficiency and comfort using electronic health records (AWARDS).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred, especially for client outreach and community engagement.

Additional requirements:

NCS is committed to maintaining a safe and secure workplace for our employees and clients. Please be advised that regulatory agencies mandate all potential employees:

• Successfully complete a background screening process that includes fingerprinting prior to employment. A section of the background screen requires address history for the last 28 years.
• Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are selected for the position, proof of full vaccination will be required as part of the onboarding process.