Substance Abuse Counselor

Delco Pa; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Delaware County in Thornton, PA, seeks a qualified behavioral health counselor for George W. Hill Correctional Facility to support inmates with drug, alcohol, and mental health needs through group and individual sessions.

You will facilitate psycho-education groups, maintain attendance records, and provide therapeutic interventions for addictions and co-occurring disorders, while complying with security protocols and documentation standards.

Qualifications

• BA degree required, preferably in social work, psychology, addictions or human services.
• Certification in addiction counseling (CADAC/ACT 33/34) required or preferred.
• Experience in correctional settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct psychosocial rehab services to inmates.
• Facilitate group psycho-education and individual counseling sessions.
• Maintain clinical documentation and records.
• Oversee and participate in AA/NA meetings and aftercare planning.
• Ensure compliance with prison/security protocols and trainings.

Skills

Group counseling

Individual counseling

Therapy skills

Documentation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree (BA)

Social work / psychology / addictions

Tools

Cambridge Act 33/34 Clearance

Job description

Facility George W. Hill Correctional Facility (Thornton, PA)

Reports to

Reports to Substance Abuse /Mental Health Administrator

Posting Date

Posting Date 08/07/2026

Work Location

Work Location George W. Hill Correctional Facility

Salary $25.54 Hourly

Summary

This position is responsible for providing direct assistance to the inmate on a group/ individual basis to assist them with their drug/ alcohol and psychological needs.

Examples Of Duties (Illustrative Only)

• Facilitate psycho-education groups and provide brief counseling to incarcerated person.
• Conduct two lecture series seminars per day with up to 25 clients per seminar.
• Initiate and maintain Incarcerated Persons attendance and participation records.
• Oversee and facilitate program AA/NA meetings.
• Responsible for providing supportive psychosocial rehabilitative services that are in line with the core principles of the recovery model founded on principles of hope, empowerment, skills, thinking for a change and support to adult incarcerated persons experiencing behavioral health needs.
• Facilitate anger management groups and maintain clinical documentation (i.e., group notes, discharge summaries/individual notes).
• Facilitates individual/group psychotherapy and advanced case management interventions to treat individuals with addictions, post-traumatic stress disorder, co-occurring disorders and other serious and persistent mental illnesses.
• Maintain direct and constant communication with the supervisor and various case managers to ensure all treatment needs are met.
• Assist in aftercare planning and relapse preventative plans.
• Refers incarcerated person for additional services if indicated.
• Comply with prison/security protocols and attend the necessary trainings as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Competencies

• Graduated from an accredited college or university with a minimum B.A. degree, preferably in social work, psychology, addictions, human services or C.A.A.P. (Certified Associate Addiction Professional Licensure).
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certification.
• Any other applicable qualifications required by the state where the position functions.
• Preference given to experience within a correctional setting.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner in both individual and group counseling settings.
• Effective group/individual therapy skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of confidentiality ethics.
• Ability to work with computers and the necessary software typically used by the department.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

• Must have a valid Act 33 and Act 34 Clearance.
• Certified Associate Addiction Professional Licensure.
• Graduated from an accredited college or university with a minimum B.A. degree is required, preferably in social work, psychology, addictions, human services or C.A.A.P.
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certification is a requirement.

Working Conditions

Standard jail facility and office environment. Incumbent performs duties in a jail facility and involve sitting and walking at will, walking/standing and/or sitting for long periods, lifting/ carrying heavy objects, crouching/kneeling, bending at the waist, close and far vision, reaching, handling/grasping/fingering objects, hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent is frequently exposed to the hazards associated with jail operations, such as potentially violent individuals and communicable disease. No prolonged extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties or assignments.

NEVER

OCCASSIONALLY (0 - 30%)

FREQUENTLY (31 - 60%)

CONTINUOUSLY (61 - 100%)

LIFTING OR CARRYING

1 - 10 LBS X

11 - 20 LBS X

21 - 40 LBS X

41 - 60 LBS X

61 OR MORE LBS X

PUSHING OR PULLING

1 - 40 LBS X

41 - 60 LBS X

61 OR MORE LBS X

BENDING OR STOOPING X

REACHING ABOVE SHOULDER LEVEL X

DRIVING AUTOMATIC EQUIP. VEHICLES X

WORKING WITH MACHINERY X

CLIMBING X

WALKING X

STANDING X

SITTING X

WORKING IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES X

Delaware County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, membership in an employee organization, political affiliation, or status as a veteran in the recruitment, selection, or hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. EEO/AA