Substance Use Counselor (Temporary position)

Gateway Foundation; Cochran (GA); On-site; USD 26,174 - 34,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match

18 paid time off days per year

Job summary

Gateway Foundation is hiring a Substance Abuse Counselor in Cochran, GA. The role involves conducting client assessments, providing individualized counseling, and developing treatment plans for clients with substance use disorders. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a helping profession and ideally some counseling experience. This position allows for meaningful work with marginalized populations and offers competitive pay starting at $19/hour for non-credentialed staff or $23/hour for credentialed staff. Benefits include medical insurance and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a helping profession required.
• Counseling experience in substance use or mental health treatment preferred.
• Must obtain required state certification within 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Conduct client interviews and assessments to review treatment history.
• Evaluate client response to recommend treatment plan modifications.
• Provide individual and group counseling to assist clients.

Skills

Client assessment

Client counseling

Crisis intervention

Group counseling

Treatment planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a helping profession

Job description

About Gateway Foundation

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non‑profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, the organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards.

Why Join Us

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence‑based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you’ll have the chance to provide essential services to underserved populations, all while working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice. You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth. When you join us, you’ll discover personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

Perks of working in correctional healthcare

• Opportunity to make a positive impact on a marginalized population
• Exposure to diverse patient demographics
• Focus on driving change, tracking progress, and improving care
• Development of skills in a unique healthcare setting
• Certifications/Licensures are NOT required for Entry Level Counselors

Location: Bleckley PSATC 179 Jac Arts Rd Cochran, GA 31014

Work Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 10‑hour shifts (day shift)

• This position is temporary to fill‑in for a maternity leave until August/September 2026 timeframe.
• Full time - 40 hour work week

Substance Abuse Counselors are responsible for

• Conducts client interviews and assessments to review substance use disorder and treatment history.
• Evaluates client response to treatment to recommend modifications to the treatment plan and assist with caseloads and development of individualized treatment plan and preparing individually appropriate goals, interventions, and necessary support.
• Assists with and provides didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education to ensure peer support occurs.
• Provides individual client counseling, educational programs and lectures to address relapse prevention, problem solving, behavior modification, anger management, etc., and to assist in overcoming substance use disorder, adjusting to pro‑social life, and making cognitive and behavioral changes.
• Carries case load up to 25 clients, per State and contract requirements.
• Collaborates with clients to develop discharge summary and continuing care and relapse prevention plans for supervisor’s approval to integrate aftercare treatment with referral resource services.
• Coordinates required services to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations in support of continued recovery.
• Collects and maintains treatment records and reports to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual compliance.
• Performs office administrative duties, such as answering telephones; relaying messages; responding to inquiries regarding program services and policies; filing, photocopying and faxing documents; planning special events, assembling intake packets, etc.

Job Requirements

• Must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university.
• Some previous counseling experience, experience in substance use disorder or mental health treatment is preferred.
• Must obtain certification as identified by state within 24 months of the first date that the counseling services are provided. Acceptable Certifications include Certified Addiction Counselor from the Georgia Addiction Counselor’s Association (GACA), Certified Addiction Counselor from the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor from the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC), and Certification as a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). Acceptable Licensures include Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS).
• Must be able to obtain Georgia Department of Corrections clearance to work in the correctional institution.

Physical Requirements

• Works in a correctional facility
• Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with clients
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data
• Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises

Compensation (based on experience and credentials)

• Non‑Credentialed range begins at $19.00 per hour - $20.00 per hour.
• Credentialed ranges begins at $23.08 per hour - $25.00 per hour.
• Gateway Foundation conducts annual reviews including merit increases.

Benefits at Gateway Foundation

Health and Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash‑saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
• Short‑term and Long‑term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexibility and Time Off

• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work‑life‑balance

Personal Development

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job‑related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Gateway Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.