Behavioral Intake Counselor Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: Psychiatry - Division of Addiction Research & Treatment Services (ARTS)

Job Title: Open Rank SUD Intake Counselor (Entry - Senior)

Position #: 00217643 - Requisition #: 40834

Job Summary:

This position provides drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial, and pharmacological treatment to adults who are living with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). This clinical position is responsible for performing counseling duties and will be supervised by a senior counselor, a Clinical Team Lead, and/or the Clinic Manager. This position will primarily work with patients who are participating in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), referred from probation departments, and with opioid dependent patients and/or other referral sources (i.e., Department of Social Services). This position is required to share on-call and Saturday coverage duties. Evening hours may be necessary as well. Some positions are morning shifts (5:30 am-2:00 pm) and others may be day/afternoon shifts (10:30 am-7:00 pm).

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure patient intakes at AOP clinics and the mobile unity (new, returning, internal transfer, external transfer, etc.) are conducted and completed in an accurate, timely manner by completing all required SUD evaluations and assessments for admitting patients into treatment.

• Collaborate closely with the AOP intake department and perform any backup work to ensure all patient intakes are conducted in an accurate, efficient, and timely manner.

• Perform other work as assigned or required.

Work Location:

Onsite - this position will float among AOP clinics located in Denver, Aurora, and Arvada.

Why Join Us:

This position is located within the University of Colorado/ Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) Adult Outpatient Program and provides a unique opportunity for individuals with professional experience, expertise, and/or specialized knowledge in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment and addiction recovery to provide empathetic, non-judgmental care, assistance, and support to individuals currently living with SUD. The individual in this position, through their words and actions, will have a direct influence on helping other individuals with SUD and help them as they set themselves on a path to recovery and make healthy lifestyle choices. In addition, by joining ARTS, employees will be actively engaged in a supportive, professional, and nurturing environment where individuals with various backgrounds and experiences converge and collaborate to provide an evidence-based, multi-faceted approach to provide the best treatment and care to every patient who comes into care at ARTS clinic locations.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Entry Level:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or another closely related field from an accredited college or university.

• Possess a valid registration in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a Certified Addictions Specialist (CAS).

Intermediate Level:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or another closely related field from an accredited college or university.

• One (1) year of professional level experience in clinical, case management, and/or research experience in Mental Health, Behavioral Health, or a closely related field.

• Possess a valid registration in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPC-C), Social Worker Candidate (SW-C), Licensed Addiction Counselor Candidate (LAC-C), or Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate (MFT-C).

Senior Level:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or another closely related field from an accredited college or university.

• Two (2) years of professional-level experience in clinical, case management, and/or research experience in Mental Health, Behavioral Health, or a closely related field.

• Possess a valid registration in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or another closely related field from an accredited institution.

• Experience working in a counselor role with clients who are involved with probation, human services, social services, criminal justice programs, and/or other referral sources.

• Experience conducting, leading, or co-leading group counseling sessions.

• Experience working in a counselor role with opioid-dependent, adult clients.

• Experience conducting individual and/or family counseling.

• Experience creating individualized treatment plans and other clinical documentation (for example, DAP notes).

• Experience with therapeutic confrontation and structures.

• Experience observing, monitoring, and intervening in drug/alcohol treatment.

• Entry & Intermediate Level: Possess a valid registration in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent written communication skills.

• Ability to manage difficult behaviors.

• Ability to engage substance-dependent clients in treatment.

• Ability to comply with established rules, policies, and procedures and meet deadlines.

• Ability to be open-minded and nonjudgmental.

• Ability to develop healthy relationships with clients.

• Ability to establish boundaries with clients.

• Ability to exercise discretion (e.g., patient confidentiality).

• Ability to communicate effectively in written form, which includes the ability to check for typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Heidi McKinnon, heidi.mckinnon@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by September 15th, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as:

• Entry Level: $60,257 - $76,647

• Intermediate Level: $65,574 - $83,410

• Senior Level: $70,890 - $90,172

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.