Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Ohio

INTRODUCTION

Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

What you’ll do at DBH:

• Are you a qualified, licensed clinical counseling professional (Social Work, Licensed Counselor, Chemical Dependency Counseling)?
• Do you want to help incarcerated men and women gain necessary skills to live substance-free and productive lives?
• Do you enjoy utilizing your clinical skills to help effect change in the lives of others?
• Do you enjoy working in an environment which supports positive life change?
• Are you willing to challenge irrational belief systems?
• The Correctional Program Coordinator (Counselor) may be a great fit for you!

The Bureau of Correctional Recovery Services works with incarcerated men and women in Ohio’s prisons to facilitate life change, foster renewed responsibility and build the opportunity to become productive restored citizens.

Recovery Services Correctional Program Coordinators (Counselors) use evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills in the treatment of incarcerated men and women who need substance use recovery treatment and programming.

DUTIES OF THE CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR INCLUDE:

• At assigned correctional institution, provide alcohol and drug group counseling and other ancillary services to the participants on your caseload.
• Complete assessments, treatment plans, progress notes and discharge planning with participants (documented in electronic health record).
• Engage and offer clients referral to Medication-Assisted Treatment, Narcan and Community Linkage to foster and strengthen recovery.
• Monitor and evaluate progress of the participants in the substance use programs.
• Provide continuing care planning.
• Schedule is Monday-Friday, however will include one evening during the week.
• Facilitate two (2) cohorts of treatment programming at a time, with a ratio of 1:15 participants.
• Monitor activities of volunteers, and oversee support/fellowship meetings.

This is an hourly position covered by the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of 11 on the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, days and occasional evenings. This position is located within our Recovery Services at Franklin Medical Center, 1990 Harmon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43223.

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Selected applicant(s) will be required to complete the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction's training at the Corrections Training Academy located in Orient, OH. This training is approximately 4 weeks in length.

WHY WORK FOR THE STATE OF OHIO

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Must hold current certification or credentials in one of following:

• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II (LCDC II)
• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III (LCDC III)
• Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC)
• Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) by State of Ohio Counselor & Social Worker Board.
• Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC) by State of Ohio Counselor & Social Worker Board.
• Professional Counselor (PC) by State of Ohio Counselor & Social Worker Board.
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) by State of Ohio Counselor & Social Worker Board.
• Licensed Physician by State of Ohio Medical Board.
• Licensed Psychologist by State of Ohio Board of Psychology.
• Registered Nurse by Ohio Board of Nursing.
• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist by State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage & Family Therapist Board.
• Licensed Independent Marriage & Family Therapist licensed by State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage & Family Therapist Board.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Maybe exposed to potentially dangerous inmates/juveniles; may be required to work weekends & travel; work is on fixed shift basis.

All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, active disciplinary record, and work record.

PRIMARY JOB SKILLS: Counseling and Rehabilitation

TECHNICAL SKILLS: Counseling and Rehabilitation

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: Critical Thinking, Building Trust, Situational Awareness, Verbal Communication, Confidentiality, Developing Others

REQUIRED EDUCATIONAL TRANSCRIPTS

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

BACKGROUND CHECK NOTICE

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@mha.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

ADA STATEMENT

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.