Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in New Jersey
Behavioral Health Counselor jobs in New Jersey are consistently in demand across community mental health centers, hospital systems, substance use treatment programs, and school-based services, with openings at every level from entry-level case aide to senior clinician and program director. Most hiring concentrates in Newark, Trenton, and Camden, where large employers such as Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, Hackensack Meridian Health, and RWJBarnabas Health maintain ongoing staffing needs. The most sought-after specialties include substance use disorder counseling, trauma-informed care, and dual-diagnosis treatment. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 9+ Behavioral Health Counselor jobs
Do you want to work in a friendly, professional and supportive organization? Do you have a desire to serve those who bravely served our country? If so, COME JOIN OUR TEAM!
Alfred J. Thomas - Home for Veterans
Available Part-Time Shifts:
- Tuesday-Saturday (Tuesday-Friday 4pm-10pm / Saturday: 2pm-10pm) -32 hrs/week
- Saturday & Sunday: 2pm-10pm
Providing residential support services to veterans in the program.
Job Responsibilities
Provide supportive counseling and crisis intervention to veterans as needed.
Monitor residents and encourage proper housekeeping and upkeep of the residence.
Transport veterans in a company vehicle when necessary.
Help maintain a safe, clean, and secure living environment for all residents.
Assist with drug and alcohol screenings.
Complete accurate and timely service documentation and clinical records.
Assist with fire and life safety procedures, including fire drills and resident education.
Distribute resident mail as needed.
Respond to emergencies, including medical incidents, behavioral crises, fire/smoke events, police involvement, and First Aid/AED situations, following agency policies and procedures.
Maintain and review required program logs, including communication, resident sign-in, medication sign-in, and pass authorization logs, and report concerns or policy violations to the Program Coordinator.
Participate in regular supervision meetings with the Program Coordinator.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in Mental Health or a related discipline; or Licensed R.N.; or two years of college plus two years of related work or life experience, or licensed as a Practical Nurse (LPN) plus two years of related mental health experience; or a High School diploma and four years of related mental health experience.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, with a good driving record.
VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Request Priority Protected Veteran Referral. EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled Contact.
~We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply including Native American, people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people of all abilities, veterans and veteran spouses.~
Do you want to work in a friendly, professional and supportive organization? Do you have a desire to serve those who bravely served our country? If so, COME JOIN OUR TEAM!
Alfred J. Thomas - Home for Veterans
Available Part-Time Shifts:
- Tuesday-Saturday (Tuesday-Friday 4pm-10pm / Saturday: 2pm-10pm) -32 hrs/week
- Saturday & Sunday: 2pm-10pm
Providing residential support services to veterans in the program.
Job Responsibilities
Provide supportive counseling and crisis intervention to veterans as needed.
Monitor residents and encourage proper housekeeping and upkeep of the residence.
Transport veterans in a company vehicle when necessary.
Help maintain a safe, clean, and secure living environment for all residents.
Assist with drug and alcohol screenings.
Complete accurate and timely service documentation and clinical records.
Assist with fire and life safety procedures, including fire drills and resident education.
Distribute resident mail as needed.
Respond to emergencies, including medical incidents, behavioral crises, fire/smoke events, police involvement, and First Aid/AED situations, following agency policies and procedures.
Maintain and review required program logs, including communication, resident sign-in, medication sign-in, and pass authorization logs, and report concerns or policy violations to the Program Coordinator.
Participate in regular supervision meetings with the Program Coordinator.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in Mental Health or a related discipline; or Licensed R.N.; or two years of college plus two years of related work or life experience, or licensed as a Practical Nurse (LPN) plus two years of related mental health experience; or a High School diploma and four years of related mental health experience.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, with a good driving record.
VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Request Priority Protected Veteran Referral. EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled Contact.
~We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply including Native American, people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people of all abilities, veterans and veteran spouses.~
See All 9 Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Counselor Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Counselor Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health counselor jobs across New Jersey.
- Active New Jersey Licensed Associate Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor credential required
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, or a closely related behavioral health field
- Experience providing individual and group therapy in a clinical or community setting
- Knowledge of evidence-based treatment modalities such as CBT or motivational interviewing
- Ability to complete accurate and timely clinical documentation in electronic health records
- Valid New Jersey driver's license for community outreach or mobile crisis response roles
Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health counselor in New Jersey?
You become a behavioral health counselor in New Jersey by earning a master's degree in counseling or a related field and applying for licensure through the New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners or the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee. Most entry-level clinicians begin as a Licensed Associate Counselor, accumulating supervised clinical hours before sitting for the Licensed Professional Counselor examination. New Jersey also recognizes the National Certified Counselor credential as a supplemental qualification for many employer roles.
Which companies hire behavioral health counselors in New Jersey?
Employers hiring behavioral health counselors in New Jersey right now include CBH Care, Community Hope, and Hackensack Meridian Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. New Jersey's dense network of community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, and large academic medical systems means openings appear regularly across the full spectrum of care settings in the state.
Which New Jersey cities have the most behavioral health counselor jobs?
The cities with the most behavioral health counselor openings in New Jersey are Morris Plains, Parsippany-Troy Hills, and Trenton. Newark leads because it anchors a concentration of major hospital systems, community health organizations, and state-funded behavioral health programs, while Trenton reflects the state government and nonprofit provider presence in the capital region, and Camden benefits from federally designated health programs tied to its urban population needs.
Are there remote behavioral health counselor jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical or desk-based fields because behavioral health counseling frequently involves in-person clinical contact, crisis intervention, and state-supervised licensure hours. About 0% of behavioral health counselor openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the telehealth expansion that followed policy changes in New Jersey's Medicaid and commercial insurance reimbursement rules. Outpatient talk therapy and care coordination roles are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid schedules.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health counselor in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a Licensed Associate Counselor position, which is specifically designed for graduates who need to accumulate supervised hours toward full licensure. Large New Jersey employers such as Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care and Saint Clare's Health System regularly hire new graduates into structured associate clinician and residency-style roles. Candidates coming from adjacent positions such as case manager, mental health technician, or peer recovery specialist have a strong foothold, and holding a National Certified Counselor credential before applying gives a clear competitive edge in the New Jersey market.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health counselor jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to behavioral health counselor jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings above to see roles that match your experience level and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit your background.
See All 9 Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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