Find & Apply For Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Chester, Pennsylvania

Position Summary Transforming Lives Inc. is seeking a compassionate and skilled Drug and Alcohol Counselor to provide school-based substance use prevention, intervention, counseling, education, referral, and recovery support to students. The counselor works with students experiencing or at risk for problems related to alcohol, marijuana, vaping, nicotine, prescription medications, or other substances and collaborates with families, school personnel, mental health professionals, and community providers. A master's degree and professional mental health licensure are not required. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Counseling, Screening, and Student Support

• Provide individual and group substance use counseling and support using developmentally appropriate, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and motivational approaches.
• Help students understand the impact of substance use; identify triggers, risk factors, and peer influences; and develop coping, refusal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Conduct or assist with approved substance use screenings, establish individualized goals, monitor progress, and adjust interventions with supervisory guidance.
• Identify students needing comprehensive substance use assessment, mental health or medical evaluation, or a higher level of care and facilitate appropriate referrals.
• Support students reducing or discontinuing substance use and students returning to school following treatment or other substance-related interventions. Prevention, Education, and Recovery Support
• Provide prevention and early-intervention services addressing alcohol, marijuana, vaping, nicotine, prescription drug misuse, illicit drugs, and emerging substance use concerns.
• Facilitate prevention groups, educational presentations, and wellness activities and teach healthy alternatives to substance use and strategies for managing peer pressure.
• Support students in recovery by identifying triggers, developing relapse-prevention strategies, strengthening healthy routines and relationships, and reinforcing progress.
• Coordinate with community treatment and recovery providers when appropriate and authorized. Crisis, Safety, and Collaboration
• Recognize and respond appropriately to suspected intoxication, impairment, withdrawal, overdose risk, or other substance-related safety concerns and follow school and TLI procedures.
• Recognize significant mental health or safety concerns and immediately seek assistance from qualified clinical, medical, administrative, or emergency personnel.
• Collaborate with administrators, teachers, school counselors, nurses, mental health professionals, special education personnel, families, and community providers.
• Participate in student support and multidisciplinary meetings and assist school personnel in identifying students who may benefit from prevention, counseling, or referral services. Documentation and Compliance
• Complete accurate and timely screening records, service plans, progress notes, referral documentation, incident reports, and other required records.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with applicable privacy and substance use treatment confidentiality requirements, organizational policies, and professional standards.
• Participate in supervision, case consultation, quality assurance, staff meetings, training, and professional development.

Required Qualifications A master's degree and 3+ years' experience. Candidates must meet the education, training, experience, and competency requirements established by Transforming Lives Inc. and applicable contracts, funding sources, or regulations. Relevant education or training may include addiction or alcohol and drug counseling, behavioral health, psychology, social work, human services, counseling, education, criminal justice, public health, or a related field. Relevant professional experience and specialized substance use training may be considered where permitted. Licensure and Certification A valid license as a drug and alcohol counselor is required. Preferred Experience

• Experience in substance use counseling, prevention, behavioral health, or human services, particularly with adolescents or young adults.
• Experience in middle or high school settings and in individual or group counseling.
• Knowledge of adolescent substance use trends, prevention, treatment, recovery, motivational interviewing, and evidence-informed interventions.
• Experience collaborating with schools, families, behavioral health professionals, and community providers. Required Knowledge and Skills
• Knowledge of adolescent substance use, prevention, treatment, recovery, and common risk and protective factors.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, counseling, group facilitation, documentation, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to discuss substance use respectfully and without judgment, establish positive relationships with students, and recognize safety concerns requiring referral or consultation.
• Understanding of confidentiality, mandated reporting, professional boundaries, and ethical practice; ability to work effectively on a multidisciplinary school team. Additional Requirements
• Complete required criminal background checks, child-protection clearances, orientation, and program-specific training.
• Maintain CPR, First Aid, substance use counseling credentials, or other certifications when required by the assigned program.
• Participate in required supervision and professional development; travel between assigned locations when necessary; maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Professional Expectations Counselors are expected to treat students with dignity, respect, compassion, and without judgment; promote safety, wellness, healthy decision-making, and recovery; maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality; recognize the limits of their role; seek supervision and make referrals when appropriate; maintain accurate records; collaborate effectively; and represent Transforming Lives Inc. professionally. Equal Employment Opportunity Transforming Lives Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Disclaimer This description summarizes the general duties and qualifications of this full-time position and is not exhaustive. Duties may change based on student needs, school partnerships, contracts, regulations, funding requirements, and organizational needs. Nothing in this description authorizes an employee to provide services requiring licensure or certification the employee does not possess.

Pay:

$60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Education:

Master's (Preferred)

Experience:

drug and alcohol counseling: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

license or certification as a drug and alcohol counselor (Required)

Work Location:

In person