New

Substance Abuse Counselor

Rutgers University

life insurance

United States, New Jersey, New Brunswick

Sep 03, 2025

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Substance Abuse Counselor
Job Category	Staff & Executive - Healthcare
Department	UBHC-Outpatient Prog-New Brunswick
Overview	Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care ( UBHC), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC's 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC, one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.
Posting Summary	Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Substance Abuse Counselor for the Outpatient - Addiction Services Department within Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare. The Substance Abuse Counselor provides community-based case management and counseling services for individuals with substance use disorders to include assessment, treatment / recovery planning, linkage and coordination of care. Among the key duties of the position are the following: Provides case management services to assist individuals and/or families to gain access to needed medical, social, education, mental health, addiction, co-occurring and other services. Provides specialized substance use disorder treatment/co-occurring services. Utilizes motivational interviewing skills, wellness and recovery principles, and knowledge of trauma-informed care to establish a working relationship with individuals and families served. Maintains appropriate records as mandated by University Behavioral Health Care policy and applicable regulatory standards. Completes assignments in accordance with established timeframes as monitored by supervisor. Completes all mandatory educational requirements on an annual basis.
FLSA	Exempt
Grade	20S
Salary Details
Minimum Salary	56516.000
Mid Range Salary	67485.000
Maximum Salary	79886.000
Offer Information	The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
Benefits	Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, based on position, which includes: Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options Employee and dependent educational benefits Life insurance coverage Employee discounts programs For detailed information on benefits and eligibility, please visit: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.
Position Status	Full Time
Working Hours (per week)
Standard Hours	37.50
Daily Work Shift	Rotating
Work Arrangement
Union Description	HPAE 5094
Payroll Designation	PeopleSoft
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment	Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility	ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Bachelor's Degree in a behavioral health profession plus three (3) years of related experience working with high need individuals with substance use disorders is required. A Bachelor's level Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification required.
Certifications/Licenses	All clinical licensing as required by discipline and New Jersey Division of consumer affairs. Applicants possessing a degree in Social Work must have an active New Jersey certification/licensure as required by the State Board of Social Work.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Preferred Qualifications	Consideration will be giving to candidates with a master's degree in a related behavioral health profession or a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) license along with the three (3) years of specific related experience. Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) preferred. Experience with community-based service provision to adults with addictions preferred.
Equipment Utilized
Physical Demands and Work Environment	PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Standing, sitting, walking, talking or hearing. No special vision requirements. Ability to speak clearly and write proficiently. Hearing is essential. The ability to focus on the task at hand despite numerous interruptions. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and document into an electronic medical record. The employee spends much time driving, walking, standing, bending and talking with individuals served in the community located throughout the County. The employee can expect to lift up to 30 pounds. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment includes both office based services and community outreach. Individual wellness checks and crisis intervention required. Subject to unpredictable situations, patient crises, to include behavioral, medical and psychiatric. Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors. Exposure to blood borne pathogens that requires use of personal protective equipment. Locked facility.
Special Conditions	Must be able to serve assigned shifts, which may include weekend, holiday and/or off-hour shifts. Must possess own vehicle for use to outreach individuals served.

Posting Details

Posting Number	25ST1880
Posting Open Date
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus	Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)
Home Location Campus	Off Campus
City	Middlesex
State	NJ
Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement