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Drug Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these ... D. with 5+ years of post-graduate industry experience in PK, drug metabolism, pharmaceutics, or a ...

... working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these ... D. with 5+ years of post-graduate industry experience in PK, drug metabolism, pharmaceutics, or a ...

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Drug Worker information

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$9

$18

$28

How much do drug worker jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for drug worker in the United States is $18.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drug worker?

Drug Workers are professionals who provide support, advice, and guidance to individuals affected by substance misuse. They work with people struggling with drug and alcohol problems, helping them access treatment, manage their recovery, and improve their well-being. Drug Workers may work in a variety of settings, including community centers, clinics, prisons, and outreach programs. Their role often includes conducting assessments, developing care plans, providing counseling, and working with other healthcare and social service providers to ensure comprehensive support for clients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drug worker?

To thrive as a Drug Worker, you need a solid understanding of substance misuse, counseling techniques, and relevant health and social care qualifications, often including certifications in addiction studies or social work. Familiarity with case management systems and assessment tools is typically required, along with knowledge of safeguarding protocols. Exceptional interpersonal skills, non-judgmental attitude, and strong communication are crucial to effectively support clients and build trust. These competencies are vital for helping individuals overcome addiction, ensuring client safety, and achieving positive outcomes within multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges faced by drug workers when supporting clients with substance misuse issues?

Drug Workers often encounter challenges such as building trust with clients who may be reluctant to engage, addressing complex needs like mental health issues alongside substance misuse, and managing high caseloads. They must also navigate confidentiality while collaborating with healthcare professionals, social services, and law enforcement. Success in this role relies on strong communication skills, resilience, and the ability to maintain professional boundaries while offering empathetic support.

What is the difference between Drug Worker vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectDrug WorkerSubstance Abuse Counselor
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant diploma or certification in addiction supportRequires certification or licensure in addiction counseling, often a degree in counseling or psychology
Work EnvironmentCommunity clinics, outreach programs, detox centersRehabilitation centers, private practices, hospitals
Employer & IndustryNon-profit organizations, healthcare providers, social servicesRehab facilities, mental health clinics, private practices

Both roles focus on supporting individuals with substance issues, but Drug Workers often provide practical support and outreach, while Substance Abuse Counselors offer therapeutic counseling. The roles overlap in credentials and work environments, but their specific duties and settings differ slightly.

What cities are hiring for Drug Worker jobs?

Cities with the most Drug Worker job openings:

What states have the most Drug Worker jobs?

States with the most job openings for Drug Worker jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Drug Worker jobs?

For Drug Worker jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Drug Worker job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,955 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

Alcohol and Drug Counselor

San Bernardino, CA • On-site

$53K - $75K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Provide screening, counseling, referrals, and outreach services to individuals experiencing substance use disorders.

  • Conduct short-term crisis intervention and implement supportive and educational counseling.

  • Make presentations to schools and community groups related to substance use and recovery.


San Bernardino County rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 81 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


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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