Mental & Chemical Health Counselor

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Chemical Dependency Counselor

Behavioral Health Services Full Time - Salary Service Anchorage, AK, US

The Chemical Dependency Counselor provides substance use disorder counseling and clinical support at the Sister Rosalie Center for Recovery, CSS’s voluntary ASAM Level 3.1 clinically managed, low-intensity residential treatment program. This position supports adults in a structured, recovery-oriented residential setting by facilitating individual and group services, supporting relapse prevention and recovery skill development, coordinating care with internal and external providers, and completing timely, accurate documentation. The counselor helps residents build stability, strengthen coping and independent living skills, and prepare for successful transition to lower levels of care and community-based recovery supports.

CSS is a Catholic human and social services agency and behavioral health care provider that welcomes people of all faiths through its programs and employment. We provide help for our Alaskan neighbors through a variety of supportive service programs, including emergency shelter, food stability, housing, case management, and refugee assistance. CSS empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, CSS is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA), which recognizes that CSS provides high quality services that meet best practice standards in the social service field.

T o promote the physical, spiritual and mental welfare of persons in need in the community. Administering the Corporal Works of Mercy and Gospel of Jesus Christ as defined by the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and envisioned by the traditional concepts of Catholic Social Teaching and Action through the laity

And advocating for social justice for the common good of all

Catholic Social Services is launching the Sister Rosalie Center for Recovery, a new 10-bed ASAM Level 3.1 low-intensity residential substance use disorder treatment program located on the Brother Francis Shelter campus in Anchorage, Alaska. This voluntary program will serve adults experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness who are seeking support for substance use disorders, co-occurring behavioral health needs, and long-term recovery.

Participants will have access to a coordinated team providing substance use treatment, behavioral health support, peer support, case management, recovery planning, and housing-focused services. By integrating treatment with shelter, medical, behavioral health, and housing supports, the program creates a practical and compassionate pathway from crisis and homelessness toward recovery, stability, and long-term wellness.

Demonstrates knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention, and evidence-based counseling approaches appropriate for adults in residential treatment.

Provides structured individual and group services that support recovery skill development, coping strategies, emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and independent living skills.

Co-Occurring Needs: Recognizes signs and symptoms of co-occurring mental health needs and collaborates with behavioral health, medical, peer support, and community providers to support integrated care.

Completes timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation in accordance with agency policy, Medicaid requirements, confidentiality standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.

Care Coordination and Referral: Coordinates with internal programs and external partners to support access to medical care, behavioral health services, recovery supports, housing resources, benefits, and lower levels of care.

Maintains appropriate professional boundaries, protects participant confidentiality, follows mandated reporting and safety protocols, and practices within the scope of training, credentials, and supervision.

Responds calmly and professionally to participant distress, conflict, relapse risk, or behavioral health concerns, using de-escalation, safety planning, consultation, and appropriate referral when needed.

Communicates clearly and respectfully with participants, coworkers, supervisors, and community partners; Demonstrates commitment to CSS’s mission by providing compassionate, dignified, and person-centered care to individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and related barriers to stability.

Provideindividual substance use counseling sessions that support participants in identifying recovery goals, building motivation for change, strengthening coping skills, and addressing barriers to stability.

Facilitate structured group sessions focused on recovery education, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, healthy relationships, life skills, wellness, and transition planning.

Provide relapse prevention support, including helping participants identify triggers, develop coping strategies, create recovery plans, and connect with ongoing recovery supports.

Provide case management and service coordination to help participants access medical care, behavioral health services, benefits, identification documents, employment or education supports, transportation, and other resources that support recovery and housing stability.

Connect participants to community-based resources, including peer support, recovery meetings, housing programs, primary care, mental health providers, medication-assisted treatment resources, and other appropriate services.

Lead discharge and transition planning in coordination with the participant, treatment team, and community providers to support successful movement to a lower level of care, outpatient services, recovery housing, permanent housing, or other appropriate supports.

Coordinate with internal CSS programs, shelter services, housing staff, peer support specialists, medical providers, behavioral health providers, and external partners to support integrated, participant-centered care.

Participate in team meetings, case consultation, supervision, and care coordination activities to support participant safety, quality of care, and program effectiveness.

Respond appropriately to participant distress, conflict, relapse risk, or behavioral health concerns by using de-escalation, safety planning, consultation, and referral to higher levels of care when clinically indicated.

Maintain professional boundaries, protect participant confidentiality, follow agency policies and procedures, and comply with applicable Medicaid, licensing, accreditation, and confidentiality requirements.

Certification as a Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDC) 1 or higher by the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification (ACBHC) or certification by another certifying body, such as a state certifying affiliate of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)

A valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and reliable personal vehicle are required. Employees must use their personal vehicle for work-related travel, including meeting with clients and partners. Obtain Qualified Addiction Professional (QAP) approval within (3) years of the Provisional Provider Application approval date with the State of Alaska.

Work is performed primarily in a residential treatment environment serving adults with substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health needs. The position may involve responding to behavioral health crises, participant conflict, or other situations requiring sound judgment, de-escalation, and professional boundaries.

Travel out of Alaska is rare. Occasional travel within Anchorage is required.

The Chemical Dependency Counselor provides substance use disorder counseling and clinical support at the Sister Rosalie Center for Recovery, CSS’s voluntary ASAM Level 3.1 clinically managed, low-intensity residential treatment program. This position supports adults in a structured, recovery-oriented residential setting by facilitating individual and group services, supporting relapse prevention and recovery skill development, coordinating care with internal and external providers, and completing timely, accurate documentation. The counselor helps residents build stability, strengthen coping and independent living skills, and prepare for successful transition to lower levels of care and community-based recovery supports.

CSS is a Catholic human and social services agency and behavioral health care provider that welcomes people of all faiths through its programs and employment. We provide help for our Alaskan neighbors through a variety of supportive service programs, including emergency shelter, food stability, housing, case management, and refugee assistance. CSS empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, CSS is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA), which recognizes that CSS provides high quality services that meet best practice standards in the social service field.

T o promote the physical, spiritual and mental welfare of persons in need in the community. Administering the Corporal Works of Mercy and Gospel of Jesus Christ as defined by the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and envisioned by the traditional concepts of Catholic Social Teaching and Action through the laity

And advocating for social justice for the common good of all

Catholic Social Services is launching the Sister Rosalie Center for Recovery, a new 10-bed ASAM Level 3.1 low-intensity residential substance use disorder treatment program located on the Brother Francis Shelter campus in Anchorage, Alaska. This voluntary program will serve adults experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness who are seeking support for substance use disorders, co-occurring behavioral health needs, and long-term recovery.

Participants will have access to a coordinated team providing substance‑use treatment, behavioral‑health support, peer support, case management, recovery planning, and housing‑focused services. By integrating treatment with shelter, medical, behavioral‑health, and housing supports, the program creates a practical and compassionate pathway from crisis and homelessness toward recovery, stability, and long‑term wellness.

Demonstrates knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention, and evidence‑based counseling approaches appropriate for adults in residential treatment.

Provides structured individual and group services that support recovery skill development, coping strategies, emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and independent living skills.

Co‑Occurring Needs: Recognizes signs and symptoms of co‑occurring mental health needs and collaborates with behavioral health, medical, peer support, and community providers to support integrated care.

Completes timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation in accordance with agency policy, Medicaid requirements, confidentiality standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.

Care Coordination and Referral: Coordinates with internal programs and external partners to support access to medical care, behavioral health services, recovery supports, housing resources, benefits, and lower levels of care.

Maintains appropriate professional boundaries, protects participant confidentiality, follows mandated reporting and safety protocols, and practices within the scope of training, credentials, and supervision.

Crisis Response and De‑Escalation: Responds calmly and professionally to participant distress, conflict, relapse risk, or behavioral health concerns, using de‑escalation, safety planning, consultation, and appropriate referral when needed.

Communicates clearly and respectfully with participants, coworkers, supervisors, and community partners; Demonstrates commitment to CSS’s mission by providing compassionate, dignified, and person‑centered care to individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and related barriers to stability.

Provideindividual substance use counseling sessions that support participants in identifying recovery goals, building motivation for change, strengthening coping skills, and addressing barriers to stability.

Facilitate structured group sessions focused on recovery education, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, healthy relationships, life skills, wellness, and transition planning.

Provide relapse prevention support, including helping participants identify triggers, develop coping strategies, create recovery plans, and connect with ongoing recovery supports.

Provide case management and service coordination to help participants access medical care, behavioral health services, benefits, identification documents, employment or education supports, transportation, and other resources that support recovery and housing stability.

Connect participants to community‑based resources, including peer support, recovery meetings, housing programs, primary care, mental health providers, medication‑assisted treatment resources, and other appropriate services.

Lead discharge and transition planning in coordination with the participant, treatment team, and community providers to support successful movement to a lower level of care, outpatient services, recovery housing, permanent housing

#