Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
New grad substance abuse counselor jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a supervised practicum can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Non-Profit & Social Services, and Consulting & Professional Services, with employers like Management & Training Corporation, Eliot Community Human Services, and Sun River Health hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 25+ Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor jobs
Substance Abuse Counselor I (Pay Dependent on Licensure): $19.00 - $21.00
Schedule: Full-Time, Monday – Friday, 8-hour shift
Benefit package includes:
- Medical, vision, and prescription drug benefits
- Dental benefits
- Life insurance
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability benefits
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Paid holidays
- Bereavement leave
- Civic duty and military leave
Impact lives with Management & Training Corporation (MTC)! At the Kyle Correctional Center Programs Unit in Kyle, Texas , our foundation is based upon the philosophies of caring about others, giving back, and making a social impact. We provide a safe and secure working environment for our staff while helping an at-risk population receive the treatment necessary for success on their road back to a healthy, productive life.
Essential Duties:
- Provides substance abuse counseling and recovery skills training; participates in offender orientation, educational and individual and process counseling groups in compliance with program standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
- Maintain a Therapeutic Community (TC) within the facility working closely with correctional staff to create a living environment that is peer driven.
- Interviews, screens, and evaluates offenders for potential program participation.
- Provides a comprehensive evaluation from a battery of valid measurement tools to assess the recovery needs and the re-offense risk of offenders.
- Participates in the Individual Treatment Plan based on the severity and characteristics of the offender as determined by the comprehensive assessment, review of collateral information, and the Clinical interview.
- Maintains offender records and other records regarding services provided to include workload statistics; and compiles data and submits reports and related documentation as appropriate.
- Implements follow-up and after care plans for offenders that participate in the program prior to their release; and disseminates information on community resources for offender placement in follow-up treatment.
- At the conclusion of the program, an Individual Progress Summary will be developed for each offender on caseload to reflect the evaluation results together with comments about the offender’s level of participation and quality of completion in the SAFPF/IPTC programs.
Qualifications:
- Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent (GED) required.
- Must have a current letter of registration as a Counselor Intern (LCDC-I) from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) OR current valid certification as a Certified Criminal Justice Professional Applicant Status (CCJP-A) as approved by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals.
- Select applicants must obtain the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) license or the Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP) certification within five (5) years from the date of their registration as a Counselor Intern or CCJP-A.
- Must sign a Credential Contingency Agreement (CCA) that will remain in effect only until the initially established expiration date. Failure to comply with the CCA will result in separation from employment. CCAs will not be extended or renewed as a result of an employee’s separation from employment or acceptance of another position.
- Valid driver’s license in the state of Texas with an acceptable driving record, unless waived by management.
- Must successfully complete Correctional Awareness Training (CAT) as well as TDCJ approved annual in-service training requirements and background checks.
- Must maintain Counselor Intern status or CCJP-A certification for continued employment.
Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disabled status, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, or any other category protected by federal law. MTC participates in E-Verify. We strive to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, in our job application and hiring process. If you are interested in employment opportunities with Management & Training Corporation and need assistance, please contact our staffing department through customersupport@mtctrains.com or 801-693-2888.
Substance Abuse Counselor I (Pay Dependent on Licensure): $19.00 - $21.00
Schedule: Full-Time, Monday – Friday, 8-hour shift
Benefit package includes:
- Medical, vision, and prescription drug benefits
- Dental benefits
- Life insurance
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability benefits
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Paid holidays
- Bereavement leave
- Civic duty and military leave
Impact lives with Management & Training Corporation (MTC)! At the Kyle Correctional Center Programs Unit in Kyle, Texas , our foundation is based upon the philosophies of caring about others, giving back, and making a social impact. We provide a safe and secure working environment for our staff while helping an at-risk population receive the treatment necessary for success on their road back to a healthy, productive life.
Essential Duties:
- Provides substance abuse counseling and recovery skills training; participates in offender orientation, educational and individual and process counseling groups in compliance with program standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
- Maintain a Therapeutic Community (TC) within the facility working closely with correctional staff to create a living environment that is peer driven.
- Interviews, screens, and evaluates offenders for potential program participation.
- Provides a comprehensive evaluation from a battery of valid measurement tools to assess the recovery needs and the re-offense risk of offenders.
- Participates in the Individual Treatment Plan based on the severity and characteristics of the offender as determined by the comprehensive assessment, review of collateral information, and the Clinical interview.
- Maintains offender records and other records regarding services provided to include workload statistics; and compiles data and submits reports and related documentation as appropriate.
- Implements follow-up and after care plans for offenders that participate in the program prior to their release; and disseminates information on community resources for offender placement in follow-up treatment.
- At the conclusion of the program, an Individual Progress Summary will be developed for each offender on caseload to reflect the evaluation results together with comments about the offender’s level of participation and quality of completion in the SAFPF/IPTC programs.
Qualifications:
- Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent (GED) required.
- Must have a current letter of registration as a Counselor Intern (LCDC-I) from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) OR current valid certification as a Certified Criminal Justice Professional Applicant Status (CCJP-A) as approved by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals.
- Select applicants must obtain the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) license or the Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP) certification within five (5) years from the date of their registration as a Counselor Intern or CCJP-A.
- Must sign a Credential Contingency Agreement (CCA) that will remain in effect only until the initially established expiration date. Failure to comply with the CCA will result in separation from employment. CCAs will not be extended or renewed as a result of an employee’s separation from employment or acceptance of another position.
- Valid driver’s license in the state of Texas with an acceptable driving record, unless waived by management.
- Must successfully complete Correctional Awareness Training (CAT) as well as TDCJ approved annual in-service training requirements and background checks.
- Must maintain Counselor Intern status or CCJP-A certification for continued employment.
Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disabled status, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, or any other category protected by federal law. MTC participates in E-Verify. We strive to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, in our job application and hiring process. If you are interested in employment opportunities with Management & Training Corporation and need assistance, please contact our staffing department through customersupport@mtctrains.com or 801-693-2888.
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Find JobsEntry Level Substance Abuse Counselor Job Market
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- Education1
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Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level substance abuse counselor job?
Entry level employers typically look for a relevant degree in counseling, social work, or psychology, plus any supervised clinical hours completed during school. Internships, practicums, and volunteer work at treatment centers or community health organizations give you a concrete edge. Holding or actively pursuing a state counseling credential, even at the intern or associate level, signals readiness and helps your application stand out at this stage.
Which companies hire entry level substance abuse counselors?
Companies hiring entry level substance abuse counselors right now include Management & Training Corporation, Eliot Community Human Services, and Sun River Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from community mental health centers, residential treatment facilities, and nonprofit behavioral health organizations that regularly bring on newer counselors and provide supervision toward full licensure.
Are there remote entry level substance abuse counselor jobs?
Yes, though most entry level roles are still on-site given the hands-on nature of clinical work. About 7% of entry level substance abuse counselor openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, typically in telehealth platforms or outpatient settings where virtual sessions are part of the service model. Remote roles at this level may still require occasional in-person supervision hours.
Are these new grad substance abuse counselor jobs?
Yes, the openings on this page include new grad, recent graduate, and junior substance abuse counselor roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts internships or supervised practicums toward the requirement, or explicitly states that candidates working toward licensure are encouraged to apply. These roles are built for people entering the field, not candidates with years of independent practice.
Which industries hire the most entry level substance abuse counselors?
Entry Level substance abuse counselor roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Non-Profit & Social Services, and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they rely on a steady pipeline of newer counselors to meet high caseload demand and often provide the structured clinical supervision required for licensure progression.