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Aod Counselor Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Substance Use Counselor

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$27 - $29/hr

AOD Certification is preferred. * Registration/Certification must be obtained from a California-approved Counselor Certification Organization (CAADE, CADTP or CCAPP). Full Time Hours: (36 Hours ...

Substance Use Counselor

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$27 - $29/hr

AOD Certification is preferred. * Registration/Certification must be obtained from a California-approved Counselor Certification Organization (CAADE, CADTP or CCAPP). Full Time Hours: (36 Hours ...

Substance Use Counselor

Riverside, CA · On-site

$26.50 - $31.60/hr

AOD Certification is required. Counselor II or III Preferred. * Registration/Certification must be obtained from a California-approved Counselor Certification Organization (CAADE, CADTP or CCAPP ...

AOD Certification is required. Counselor II or III Preferred. * Registration/Certification must be obtained from a California-approved Counselor Certification Organization (CAADE, CADTP or CCAPP ...

Counselor I/II

Pomona, CA · On-site

$24 - $29.05/hr

Registered and enrolled in a state-recognized chemical dependency counselor certification program or progress towards AOD, with six months' substance abuse experience or Bachelor's and registered ...

AOD Irvine

Irvine, CA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Have at least two years of experience in the education industry, although strong sales, recruitment, or enrollment experience may also be considered; experience in college counseling or admissions is ...

AOD Irvine

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$100K - $120K/yr

Have at least two years of experience in the education industry, although strong sales, recruitment, or enrollment experience may also be considered; experience in college counseling or admissions is ...

Job Purpose: - The Counselor I at Behavioral Health Services Inc is responsible for providing direct counseling services to clients, supporting their mental health and well-being. The role involves ...

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Aod Counselor information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$14

$26

$37

How much do aod counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for aod counselor in Riverside, CA is $26.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.31 and $30.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an AOD counselor?

AOD Counselors, or Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors, are professionals who help individuals struggling with substance abuse issues. They provide assessment, counseling, treatment planning, and support to clients dealing with addiction to alcohol or other drugs. AOD Counselors work in various settings such as rehabilitation centers, hospitals, community organizations, and private practices. Their goal is to assist clients in achieving and maintaining sobriety, improving mental health, and rebuilding their lives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an AOD counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) Counselor, you need a solid understanding of addiction counseling principles, assessment techniques, and typically a relevant certification or degree such as CADC or a similar credential. Familiarity with case management software, electronic health records, and evidence-based treatment methods is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to build trust are vital for supporting clients through recovery. These skills and qualifications are essential to effectively guide individuals toward sobriety and ensure ethical, effective care within treatment programs.

What are some common challenges AOD counselors face when supporting clients through recovery?

AOD Counselors often encounter challenges such as client relapse, resistance to treatment, and co-occurring mental health issues. Building trust and maintaining client engagement can require patience and strong interpersonal skills, as clients may be ambivalent about change or struggle with external factors like family dynamics or legal issues. Counselors must also balance case management tasks with direct counseling, all while maintaining professional boundaries and practicing self-care to avoid burnout.

What is the difference between Aod Counselor vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectAod CounselorSubstance Abuse Counselor
CredentialsOften requires certification or licensure in addiction counselingRequires certification or licensure in substance abuse counseling
Work EnvironmentWorks in clinics, rehab centers, or community programsWorks in rehab centers, outpatient clinics, or hospitals
Industry UsageCommonly used in addiction treatment settingsUsed in substance abuse treatment facilities and mental health clinics

Both Aod Counselors and Substance Abuse Counselors focus on addiction treatment, often requiring similar certifications and working in comparable environments. The main difference lies in terminology; 'Aod' (Alcohol and Other Drugs) is a broader term sometimes used interchangeably with 'Substance Abuse.' Understanding these nuances helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

How to become an AOD counselor?

To become an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) counselor, individuals typically need to complete a state-approved addiction counseling training program, accumulate a specified number of supervised clinical hours, and obtain certification or licensure such as the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). Requirements vary by state but generally include passing an exam and maintaining ongoing education to renew credentials.

What are popular job titles related to Aod Counselor jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Aod Counselor jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Aod Counselor jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Aod Counselor job openings:

Infographic showing various Aod Counselor job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,271 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

Alcohol and Drug Counselor

San Bernardino County

San Bernardino, CA • On-site

$53K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


San Bernardino County rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

485th of 849 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

The Job Be an agent of change and make a difference in delivering health and wellness to millions of residents. Join a team that is passionate about the services they provide and is committed to making a difference throughout San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health invites qualified professionals to apply for the position of Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Alcohol and Drug Counselor provide screening, counseling, referrals, and outreach services to individuals experiencing substance use disorders. Duties include short-term crisis intervention; planning and implementing supportive and educational counseling; assisting adolescents, adults, and families in recognizing and addressing social and cultural patterns, family problems, and personal dysfunctional behaviors that contribute to alcoholism and drug abuse; making presentations to schools and community groups; and monitoring compliance with grants and contracts. For additional details, please refer to the Alcohol and Drug Counselor job description.

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is responsible for providing mental health and substance use disorder services to county residents who are experiencing major mental illness or substance abuse related issues. DBH provides mental health and substance use disorder prevention and treatment services to all age groups, with a primary emphasis on treating children/youth who may be seriously emotionally disturbed, adults who are experiencing a serious and persistent mental illness, and individuals who are experiencing substance use disorders. DBH also provides an array of outreach/engagement, prevention, and early intervention services.

DBH's core values are service, integrity, accountability, and trust. DBH is a unique County Department comprised of eight (8) direct service areas: Community Outpatient and Transitional Age Youth Services; Youth Collaborative and Justice Involved Services; Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Services; 24 Hour and Specialty Services; Adult Justice Involved and Diversion Services; Medical Services; Community Engagement and Equity Services; Office of Patients' Rights and five (5) indirect service areas: Administrative and Fiscal Services; Public Relations and Outreach Services; Program Support Services; Disaster and Safety Unit; and the Office of Compliance. The Department currently has a workforce in excess of 1500 positions and an approximate $800 million-dollar annual budget.

Follow this link to learn more about the Department of Behavioral Health Follow this link to learn more about San Bernardino County The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies as they occur throughout the Department. EXCELLENT BENEFITS. To review job-specific benefits, please refer to the Summary of Benefits and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Pre-Employment Process: Prior to appointment, applicants must pass a background investigation, which includes fingerprinting and medical exam, which may include drug and/or TB testing.

Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or a permanent U.S. resident

Travel: Travel throughout the County is required. Employees will be required to make provision for transportation and maintain a valid California driver license and proof of automobile liability insurance for the individual providing the transportation. Hours: Some evening and weekend work may be required.

RBEST/TEST Positions: Positions within the Recovery Based Engagement Teams (RBEST) and Triage Engagement and Support Teams (TEST) are field based and require working outside of the office frequently. TEST teams work within law enforcement departments, Probation office sites and ER hospital sites. Indicate your availability for these positions on the supplemental questionnaire.

Sponsorship: Please note that San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future. Minimum Requirements Certification: Certification as an Alcohol or Other Drug (AOD) counselor by a National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited organization. --AND-- Experience: One (1) year of full time equivalent experience in a Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program performing counseling, crisis intervention, and community resource referrals.

Desired Qualifications Bilingual Positions: Applicants fluent in American Sign Language, Arabic, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, and/or Vietnamese are strongly encouraged to apply. Additional compensation is associated with positions requiring the use of bilingual skills. Applicants must pass written and oral language competency tests in order to be considered for bilingual vacancies.

The ideal candidate will be a certified AOD counselor and have exceptional communication skills with the ability to clearly convey information and ideas both orally and in writing, a customer service background, and presentation skills. For positions assigned to treatment programs working with the adult forensic population, it is highly desirable for candidates to have experience in behavioral health programs with individuals who have co-occurring disorders. Selection Process Application Procedure: There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the Application and the Supplemental Questionnaire.

You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience, as only the most highly qualified applicants will be referred to the Department. Please ensure all relevant experience is indicated in the Application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, as resumes and other attachments will not be reviewed for the competitive evaluation. Completing your application with statements such as "see/refer to resume" or "see attached" rather than completing your work history may affect your eligibility or competitive evaluation score.

Be sure to clearly describe your experience in meeting the minimum requirements. Technical Assistance: If you require technical assistance, follow this link to review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser when submitting an application.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of the recruitment filing deadline. Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points.

For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Policy. For more important details, review the Applicant Information and County Employment Process.


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