SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR 2

Job Title: Substance Abuse Counselor 2

Employer: State of Nevada (NV)

Salary: $61,575.12 - $90,995.04 Annually

Location: Carson City

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 2026-00630

Department: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Opening Date: 02/10/2026

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: E

Salary Grade 33 Full Physical Address of Position (City, State, Zip): Carson City, NV 89701

Job Summary

Substance Abuse Counselor 2 will provide direct clinical work for adults incarcerated at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City. Responsibilities for this role may include intake assessments, development of individualized treatment plans, group facilitations, individual counseling, and oversight of therapeutic community activities.

Substance Abuse Counselors perform professional duties in areas of screening, assessment, case management, education, and treatment of clients and perform related administrative duties and recordkeeping in accordance with the standards and requirements of the Nevada Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Counselors.

Essential Qualifications

Certification as an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor by the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Counselors.

Job Duties

Perform initial screenings and assessments of clients; review personal history files and court documents and conduct personal interviews; gather pertinent information with the use of screening and assessment instruments such as Nevada Risk Assessment System (NRAS), American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) standards; diagnose and/or classify substance abusers, extent of alcohol and drug abuse and personality traits; determine classification, level of care, treatment needs and continuity of care. Prepare written treatment plans; monitor and document client progress in relation to treatment plans, goals and objectives and adjust level of care accordingly; document contacts and services; prepare assessment, discharge, and progress reports and summaries as required. Plan, develop, organize and conduct alcohol and drug abuse cessation and prevention classes; prepare course curriculum based upon the goals and objectives set by the facility; conduct orientation and individual and/or group counseling, intervention, education and referral; facilitate crisis and behavior intervention to include referral for mental health services and/or other resources; consult with and utilize other services, agencies, resources and professionals as needed. Provide in-service training regarding counseling programs, education and services related to alcohol and drug abuse. Prepare statistical documentation and reports on caseload activities and services. Maintain ethics and confidentiality standards according to regulation. Perform related duties as assigned. Under general supervision, incumbents perform the full range of duties described in the series concept. This is the journey level in the series and is distinguished from the lower level by greater independence, judgment and decision-making required, and completion of a Board-approved internship.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level. Working knowledge of: federal and State alcohol and drug abuse laws, rules and regulations; illegal substances, drug classifications, and psychiatric medications used to treat abusers of alcohol and/or drugs; psychological and physiological effects of substance abuse; concepts, principles and techniques used in the screening, assessment and evaluation of abusers of alcohol and/or drugs; counseling and treatment of alcohol and/or drug abusers in group and individual settings; facilities, programs, and related resources available for rehabilitation, education, discharge planning for continuity of care, and training in the field of substance abuse; American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) levels of service and treatment and the current edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM). Ability to: write concise, logical and grammatically correct analytical reports assessing the progress of clients in alcohol and drug treatment programs; provide in-service training; evaluate and document client progress towards treatment goals and plan, coordinate, and facilitate appropriate follow-up activities; foster a stimulating, accepting learning environment; work independently and as a team member; provide group treatment and individual substance abuse counseling using accepted treatment modalities.

Recruiter Contact Information: Susan Ashley - View email address on click.appcast.io

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.

Benefits

Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees' Benefits Program (PEBP).

• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication (Download PDF reader).
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of "standard" or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF) (Download PDF reader).

*** State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The following are legal holidays:

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in February................ Washington's Birthday

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day

June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day

July 4.................................................... Independence Day

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day

November 11......................................... Veterans' Day

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day

December 25......................................... Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255