Counselor Jobs in Columbus, OH
Counselor jobs in Columbus, Ohio concentrate in the Short North, Near East Side, and Franklinton, as well as the broader medical and university corridor anchoring the city's health and human services sectors. Mental health agencies, school districts, addiction recovery programs, and hospital systems drive the strongest demand, with employers currently hiring including MARYHAVEN, City of Columbus, OH, and Ohio Dominican University. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Definition
Starting Pay Range:
$28.68 to $31.87 per hour
Preferred qualifications:
- Minimum bachelor’s degree in a related field. Licensure required (LSW, LCDC, LPC; LISW, LICDC, LPCC preferred).
- At least one year of experience in substance use or mental health treatment, including assessments and group counseling.
Examples of Work
Screens individuals using a biopsychosocial assessment to determine if a substance use disorder exists and for eligible admission to a particular program;
Provides the intake administrative procedures for admission to a substance use disorder treatment program and orientates clients to the nature and goals of the program, facility, program rules, costs, and client rights;
Assesses clients for substance use disorder and for other problems through the use of the psychosocial history, evaluation tools, collateral information, and breath and urine tests and recommends the appropriate levels of client care;
Engages clients in treatment planning to identify and rank problems needing resolution, establish immediate and long-term goals, and decide on the treatment processes and resources to be used;
Counsels clients through on-going individual and group treatment sessions using evidence-based interventions and other therapeutic methods that best serve the diverse needs of the clients;
Provides crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques with clients;
Coordinates case management activities that bring services, agencies, and resources together within a planned framework of action for the client;
Consults and corresponds with courts, attorneys, referral sources, agencies, family members, and others regarding client issues or general substance use disorder information;
Maintains a working referral relationship with a variety of community professionals and agencies to obtain collateral information;
Provides a referral to the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program when the client requests this service and is deemed appropriate for MAT services;
Prepares and maintains clinical records according to program and certification standards; prepares reports as needed by courts and other referral sources and maintains statistical data;
Delivers substance use disorder related education services to individuals and groups;
May give legal testimony under court order;
May provide driver intervention, problem identification, outreach, environmental, and information dissemination services;
May be assigned to serve as a member of an Incident Command System (ICS) Team, or a similar public health response team, which may include the conduct of operations on a 24/7 basis at remote locations.
Minimum Qualifications
OR
Possession of valid State of Ohio licensure by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board as a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II (LCDC II), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III (LCDC III), Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC), or Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor-Clinical Supervisor (LICDC-CS).
OR
Possession of valid State of Ohio licensure by the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), or Independent Marriage and Family Therapist (IMFT), AND one (1) year of licensed or internship experience providing substance use disorder counseling services.
Possession of a valid State of Ohio licensure as a Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist Psychologist, or Physician AND one (1) year of licensed or internship experience providing substance use disorder counseling services.
Test/Job Contact Information
Should you have questions regarding this vacancy, please contact:
Christian Kassahun
The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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Find Counselor JobsCounselor Job Market in Columbus
Who's Hiring
- MARYHAVEN44M
- City of Columbus, OH29C
- Ohio Dominican University15O
- Christian Counseling Associates15C
- US Department of Veterans Affairs15U
Counselor Jobs in Columbus: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a counselor job in Columbus?
Focus your search on Columbus's dense concentration of behavioral health agencies, federally qualified health centers, Columbus City Schools, and the Ohio State University medical system. The Near East Side and Franklinton neighborhoods have a high volume of community mental health and substance use recovery employers. Candidates with experience in trauma-informed care, Medicaid populations, or school-based counseling have a clear edge in this market over generalist applicants.
Which companies hire counselors in Columbus?
Employers hiring counselors in Columbus right now include MARYHAVEN, City of Columbus, OH, and Ohio Dominican University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Columbus's mix of large hospital networks, nonprofit community health organizations, and K-12 school systems means counselor demand runs across both clinical and non-clinical settings throughout the city.
Are there remote counselor jobs in Columbus?
Yes, though remote availability is limited for roles requiring direct client contact, such as school-based or residential counseling. About 50% of counselor openings tied to Columbus are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with telehealth-based mental health and career counseling positions most likely to offer that flexibility in the Columbus market.
How can I get a counselor job in Columbus with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Columbus is through community mental health centers and nonprofit social service agencies, which regularly hire case management assistants, crisis line staff, and residential support workers as stepping stones into full counselor roles. Organizations in Franklinton and the Near East Side frequently post entry-level behavioral health positions. Volunteering with Columbus-area crisis intervention programs or completing a practicum with a local agency also builds the local professional network that drives most hiring here.
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