Entry Level Substance Abuse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

School of Medicine | Department of Psychiatry | Addiction Research & Treatment Services (ARTS) | Adult Outpatient Program

Job Title: Substance Use Disorder Treatment Counselor (Entry - Senior Level)

Position: #00730526 - Requisition: #37723

Job Summary:

The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Counselor provides drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial, and pharmacological treatment to adults who are living with 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 criminal justice programs, recovery courts, probation departments, 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 (6:00am-2:30pm) and others may be day/afternoon shifts (10:30am-7:00pm).

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide assessments of clients for admission to treatment.

• Perform SUD evaluations.

• Complete patient intakes (new, returning, internal transfer, external transfer, etc.).

• Perform group, individual and family counseling.

• Use evidence-based practices for treating offenders and criminal-justice involved populations.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in patient charts.

• Develop and carry out individualized treatment plans and case management duties as needed to meet the needs of external sources as well as linking client's treatment progress to referral sources.

• Complete monthly billing report and statistics.

• Assess and collect fees from clients.

• Staff on-call shift rotations.

• Coverage of clinic front desk as needed.

• Work closely with problem solving courts, the Veterans Administration, Department of Social Services/Human Services, and/or other referral sources.

• Performing other work as assigned or required.

Work Location:

Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite at Adult Outpatient Clinics or the ARTS Medication Mobile Unit across the greater Metro Denver area.

Why Join Us:

Adult Outpatient Clinics for CU's ARTS team are leading the fight against substance use disorder (SUD) in the state. We have several clinics across the greater Metro Denver area including in Arvada, central Denver, and Aurora. Additionally, we have a new Medication Mobile Unit which delivers medication assisted treatments to the patients of our city. We are hiring across all locations. Joining this team not only sets you up for a long-term career within the university but also makes a lasting impact in our community.

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: 10/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 a directly related field from an accredited institution.

  • A combination of education and/or related technical or professional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

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

Intermediate Level:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

  • A combination of education and/or related technical or professional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

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

• Possess a valid registration in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a Certified Addictions Specialist (CAS), 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 a directly related field from an accredited institution.

  • A combination of education and/or related technical or professional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

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

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a directly 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent written communication skills, which includes the ability to check for typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors.

• Ability to effectively manage difficult behaviors.

• Ability to engage patients in treatment for substance use disorder 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 establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must agree to undertake and successfully pass a fingerprint check.

• Must agree to undertake and successfully pass a criminal background check, professional references check, and motor vehicle records check.

• Must possess and maintain current and valid registration in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to provide behavioral health treatment and care to patients throughout employment in this position.

• Must possess a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle in Colorado or obtain one within 30 days from date of hire.

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 July 30, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

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

Entry Level: $56,555 - $71,939

Intermediate Level: $61,546 - $78,286

Senior Level: $66,536 - $84,634

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 non-discrimination 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.