Substance Abuse Counselor Building Lives Foundation, Inc. - 4.0 Nashville, TN Job Details Part-time $24,000 a year 3 hours ago Benefits Paid time off Flexible schedule Qualifications Master of Counseling Case documentation in social services Inclusivity Master's degree Substance abuse counseling Master's degree in counseling psychology Counseling Psychology Substance abuse Working with individuals with mental health conditions Empathy Experience working with individuals with substance use disorders Group counseling Therapy progress note documentation Group therapy instruction Full Job Description Substance Abuse Counselor Building Lives Foundation Nashville, TN Part-Time | 20 Hours per Week | Contract About Building Lives Foundation Building Lives Foundation is nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Veterans move from homelessness toward stable, independent living. Through The Academy Program, we provide Veterans with housing, counseling, employment support, life skills, and other resources designed to help them build healthier and more independent lives. We are seeking a compassionate and qualified Substance Abuse Counselor to join our team and provide counseling and recovery support to Veterans participating in our VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Service Intensive Program . Position Summary The Substance Abuse Counselor provides substance use disorder counseling, recovery support, assessment, education, and care coordination to Veterans participating in The Academy. The Counselor will work directly with Veterans to address substance use, mental health, trauma, and other barriers that may affect their ability to maintain housing, employment, relationships, and independent living. This is a hands-on, relationship-focused position working primarily in person with Veterans. The Counselor will work closely with Building Lives staff, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and community treatment providers. The position requires a minimum of 2 hours of counseling and related services per week for GPD participants. Key ResponsibilitiesCounseling & Recovery Support

• Provide individual substance use disorder counseling.
• Facilitate group counseling and recovery education.
• Help Veterans identify substance use patterns, triggers, consequences, and barriers to recovery.
• Develop coping skills and relapse-prevention strategies with participants.
• Establish measurable recovery goals and monitor progress.
• Encourage participation in appropriate recovery resources such as AA, NA, and other community-based programs. Assessment & Care Coordination
• Participate in assessments of new Academy participants.
• Assess substance use, behavioral health needs, strengths, barriers, and treatment goals.
• Contribute to the development and review of each Veteran's Individual Service Plan (ISP).
• Coordinate treatment and referrals with VA and community providers.
• Follow up on participant engagement with recommended treatment.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences when appropriate. Mental Health & Crisis Support
• Support Veterans experiencing co-occurring substance use and mental health challenges.
• Recognize situations requiring additional medical, psychiatric, detoxification, or behavioral health intervention.
• Respond appropriately to substance-use-related and behavioral health crises within the scope of professional training.
• Coordinate with Building Lives leadership, VA providers, emergency services, and community providers when appropriate. Housing Stability & Independent Living
• Help Veterans understand how substance use can affect housing stability and employment.
• Identify recovery-related barriers to successful independent living.
• Support healthy routines, decision-making, and behaviors that promote long-term housing stability.
• Help Veterans prepare for transition from The Academy to permanent housing.
• Assist with aftercare and recovery-support planning. Documentation & Compliance
• Maintain accurate, timely, objective, and confidential participant records.
• Document counseling sessions, assessments, referrals, progress, and significant events.
• Ensure documentation supports participant ISPs and program goals.
• Comply with Building Lives Foundation policies, professional standards, Tennessee requirements, and VA GPD requirements. QualificationsRequired
• Master's degree in Counseling Psychology.
• Professional license, certification, or credential required by Tennessee law for services independently provided.
• Experience providing substance use disorder counseling, behavioral health services, recovery support, or related services.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing substance use disorders and/or co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Ability to provide individual and group counseling.
• Strong documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Veterans experiencing homelessness and complex behavioral health needs. Preferred
• Experience working with military Veterans.
• Experience working with Veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Experience with VA programs or VA healthcare systems.
• Experience with co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions.
• Training in motivational interviewing.
• Training in trauma-informed care.
• Training in relapse prevention.
• Experience facilitating recovery groups.
• Knowledge of VA and community substance use and mental health resources.
• Experience working in residential or transitional housing programs. What We Value The ideal candidate will bring:
• Compassion and empathy
• Strong professional boundaries
• Accountability
• Sound clinical judgment
• Excellent communication
• Cultural competence
• A recovery-oriented approach
• A Veteran-centered mindset
• The ability to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team Why Join Building Lives Foundation?

This is an opportunity to do meaningful work with Veterans who are actively working to change the direction of their lives. At Building Lives Foundation, we believe recovery is an important part of helping Veterans move from homelessness toward stable, independent living. Our approach combines compassion with accountability and focuses on helping each Veteran develop the skills, support systems, and confidence needed for lasting recovery and independence.

Position Details Job Title:

Substance Abuse Counselor Program:

The Academy - VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD)

Service Intensive Program Location:

Nashville, TN Employment Type:

Contract /

Part-Time Hours:

20 hours per week

Work Setting:

Primarily in-person

Reports To:

Director of Operations How to Apply If you are passionate about helping Veterans overcome barriers to recovery, housing, and independence, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and a brief description of your experience working with substance use disorder and/or Veterans.

Pay:

$24,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Paid time off

Education:

Master's (Required)

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Nashville, TN 37217