Substance Use Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Substance Use Counselor

Decatur, Illinois

Heritage Behavioral Health Cente r

$25/hour – $64,000/year | Every other Friday off, paid | NHSC loan forgiveness eligible

Looking for a career where your work truly matters? Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring Substance Use Counselors to support adults on their recovery journey. Bachelor's and Master's candidates are welcome, and you don't need your CADC yet: you'll have two years to earn your certification or license.

Pay and Schedule

Pay is based on education and licensure or certification:

• Bachelor's Degree: $25.00/hour + every other Friday off paid
• Bachelor's Degree + CADC: $27.00/hour + every other Friday off paid
• Master's Degree: $60,000/year + every other Friday off paid
• Master's Degree + LPC, LSW, or CADC: $64,000/year + every other Friday off paid

Schedule: Full-time | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Every other Friday off as a paid wellness day: that's 26 three-day weekends a year
• Loan forgiveness eligibility through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
• Time to grow: two years to earn your CADC, LPC, or LSW after you start
• A recovery-oriented, harm reduction approach that meets people where they are
• Competitive pay aligned with state and national benchmarks
• Generous time off: vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurance with substantial agency contributions
• 401(k) and Roth retirement options
• Tuition assistance and continuing education support
• Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent care)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and fitness reimbursement
• Additional life insurance options
• A collaborative, mission-driven team where every role impacts client care

Your Role

As a Substance Use Counselor, you will play a vital role in supporting adults with substance use and/or co-occurring mental health disorders. You will provide compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers individuals on their recovery journey, including assessments, individualized treatment planning, and counseling aligned with ASAM criteria and harm reduction principles. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure integrated, person-centered care.

What You'll Do

• Conduct substance use and mental health assessments using ASAM Criteria and IM-CANS
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings and client goals
• Provide ASAM Level 1 (Outpatient) and Level 2 (Intensive Outpatient) services, including individual and group counseling
• Use Motivational Interviewing (MI) and other evidence-based practices to engage and support clients
• Incorporate harm reduction strategies and support Medication-Assisted Recovery (MAR)
• Facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic groups on recovery, relapse prevention, and coping skills
• Coordinate care with internal and external providers to ensure continuity of services
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in compliance with agency, state, and federal standards
• Participate in team meetings, case consultations, and ongoing professional development

What You'll Bring

• Knowledge of ASAM Criteria, levels of care, and integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders
• Understanding of harm reduction, recovery-oriented care, and Medication-Assisted Recovery
• Familiarity with evidence-based approaches such as Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Skill in facilitating individual and group counseling sessions
• A nonjudgmental, culturally competent approach that adapts to each client's stage of change
• Ability to build trusting therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries
• Calm, effective crisis management
• Strong organizational and electronic health record documentation skills
• Commitment to ongoing learning and best practices in substance use treatment

Qualifications

One of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in a human service field, with the ability to obtain CADC certification within 2 years of employment
• Graduate degree in counseling, clinical psychology, social work, or another human service field, with the ability to obtain CADC certification or LPC or LSW licensure within 2 years of employment

Also required:

• Minimum of 21 years of age
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of automobile insurance

About Heritage Behavioral Health Center

Heritage is a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic with locations in Decatur and Clinton, Illinois, dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care across a multi-county area. We recognize that everyone at our organization has an impact on client care, regardless of the position they hold. 

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and join a team that cares about your well-being as much as the individuals we serve!