Substance Abuse Counselor​/Therapist; Certified​/Licensed & Entry Level

Substance Abuse Counselor/Therapist (Certified/Licensed & Entry Level)

Location:

Wrightsville, GA 31096 (Johnson State Prison)

Position Type:
Full Time

Work Schedule:

Monday - Thursday, 10‑hour shifts (6:45 AM – 5:15 PM)

• Conduct client interviews and assessments, reviewing substance use disorder and treatment history.
• Evaluate client response to treatment, recommend plan modifications, and assist with caseloads and individualized treatment plan development.
• Provide didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education to promote peer support.
• Offer individual counseling, educational programs and lectures on relapse prevention, problem solving, behavior modification, anger management, and other skills to help clients overcome substance use disorder.
• Maintain a caseload of up to 25 clients per state and contract requirements.
• Collaborate with clients to develop discharge summaries, continuing‑care, and relapse‑prevention plans for supervisor approval.
• Coordinate required services to address emergency problems in crisis situations and support continued recovery.
• Collect and maintain treatment records and reports, ensuring compliance with organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual obligations.
• Perform office administrative duties such as answering phones, relaying messages, responding to inquiries, filing, photocopying, faxing, and assisting with special events.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university.
• Prior counseling experience, preferably in substance use disorder or mental health treatment.
• Within 30 months of employment, obtain certification as identified by the state. Acceptable certifications:
  Certified Addiction Counselor (GACA), Certified Addiction Counselor (NAADAC), Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (ICRC), Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). Acceptable licenses:
  Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS).
• Obtain Georgia Department of Corrections clearance to work in a correctional institution.

• Works in a correctional facility.
• Ability to walk and move around for up to two hours at a time, monitoring and interacting with clients.
• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally; negligible force frequently.
• Ability to use a keyboard/video display terminal to retrieve and audit information.
• Ability to record, proofread, and check documents for accuracy.
• Ability to respond to telephones and detect alarms and unusual noises.

• Non‑Certified Counselors: $20.50–$21.50 per hour.
• Certified Counselors: $28.00 per hour.
• Sign‑on bonuses: $1,500 for non‑credentialed counselors and $3,000 for certified counselors.
• Annual reviews with merit increases.

• Health and Wellness:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
  • Employee wellness program with cash‑saving premiums.
  • Employee assistance programs focused on mental health.
• Financial Well‑being:
  • 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match.
  • Short‑term and long‑term disability, life, and AD&D insurance paid by Gateway.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Flexibility and Time Off:
  • 18 paid days off per year (accrual increases with service).
  • 9 paid company holidays.
  • Work‑life balance initiatives.
• Personal Development:
  • Training & Development Programs.
  • Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year.
  • eLearning access to online courses with CEUs.
  • Clinical supervision – formal and informal guidance.

Gateway Foundation is an Equal Opportunity

Employer:

Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP are available.