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Intake Counselor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

UHS

INTAKE COUNSELOR (DEGREED)

Torrance, CA · On-site

$35.99 - $53.99/hr

Responsibilities Intake Counselor Del Amo Behavioral Health System, a subsidiary of UHS ,offers a safe and compassionate environment for individuals looking for hope and healing from emotional ...

UHS

INTAKE COUNSELOR (DEGREED)

Madera, CA

The Intake Counselor, under the supervision of the Director of Admissions, interviews and assesses potential patients and inquiry callers. The Intake Counselor works with the Business Office ...

UHS

INTAKE COUNSELOR - Per Diem

Chino, CA · On-site

$33.50 - $42/hr

We are seeking a dynamic and talented Intake Counselor OR Registered Nurse to join our team! Position Summary: The Assessment & Referral Counselor is responsible for facilitating facility admissions ...

BAART Programs

Registered Intake Counselor

Visalia, CA · On-site

Counselor conducts individual sessions and group sessions to assist with crisis management and coping strategies. Counselor will evaluate patient progress during counseling and collaborate with ...

baymark

Registered Intake Counselor

Visalia, CA · On-site

Counselor conducts individual sessions and group sessions to assist with crisis management and coping strategies. Counselor will evaluate patient progress during counseling and collaborate with ...

BAART Programs

Registered Intake Counselor

Visalia, CA · On-site

Counselor conducts individual sessions and group sessions to assist with crisis management and coping strategies. Counselor will evaluate patient progress during counseling and collaborate with ...

BAART Programs

Registered Intake Counselor

Visalia, CA · On-site

Counselor conducts individual sessions and group sessions to assist with crisis management and coping strategies. Counselor will evaluate patient progress during counseling and collaborate with ...

BAART Programs

Registered Intake Counselor

Visalia, CA · On-site

Counselor conducts individual sessions and group sessions to assist with crisis management and coping strategies. Counselor will evaluate patient progress during counseling and collaborate with ...

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Intake Counselor information

See California salary details

$13

$21

$31

How much do intake counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for intake counselor in California is $21.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $24.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an intake counselor?

An intake counselor is responsible for taking information from a patient before they are admitted to see a physician for treatment. They work as a coordinator to ensure the orderly flow of patients into a medical facility. The main purpose of their job is to accurately identify the patients and gather enough information to determine an initial assessment of the patient's condition. The information is then used to make sure the patient is set up with the right medical staff to get them the care they need. Other duties include filing and securing paperwork as well as making sure it is filled out legibly. For a career as an intake counselor, qualifications include a bachelor’s degree, some volunteer experience, and strong interpersonal skills.

What does an intake counselor do?

An Intake Counselor is a mental health professional who conducts initial assessments with clients seeking counseling or other social services. Their main role is to gather information about the client’s needs, history, and current situation to determine the most appropriate support or treatment plan. Intake Counselors often serve as the first point of contact, helping clients understand available services and making referrals to therapists, support groups, or community resources as needed.

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

To thrive as an Intake Counselor, you need a background in psychology, social work, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with case management software, electronic health records, and standardized assessment tools is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, active listening, and cultural sensitivity help Intake Counselors build rapport and accurately assess client needs. These competencies are crucial for accurately evaluating clients, ensuring appropriate service referrals, and supporting positive client outcomes.

What are the typical challenges an intake counselor faces when assessing new clients?

Intake Counselors often encounter challenges such as gathering accurate information from clients who may be in distress or hesitant to share personal details. Balancing empathy with the need for thorough assessment and documentation is essential. Additionally, Intake Counselors must quickly identify urgent needs and coordinate with various departments to ensure clients receive timely and appropriate care. Managing a high volume of intakes while maintaining quality and confidentiality can also be demanding.
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Intake Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Intake Counselor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,132 per year, or $21.7 per hour.

Intake Counselor - Volunteer

San Francisco, CA • On-site

ACLU of Northern California
Non-Profits • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about ACLU of Northern Californiaexternal

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Intake Counselor - Volunteer

San Francisco, CA

This is a volunteer opportunity available in the ACLU Foundation of Northern California's Legal-Policy Department.

The mission of the ACLU Foundation of Northern California (ACLU NorCal) is to be an enduring guardian of justice, fairness, equality, and freedom, working to protect and advance civil liberties for all Californians. This position offers a unique opportunity to be at the heart of the Legal-Policy team which pursues cutting edge impact litigation and promotes policy change in order to defend and expand the civil liberties and civil rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the California Constitution.

The position

Intake Counselors support the Civil Liberties Intake Program by processing requests for legal assistance, distributing know-your-rights materials, etc. The Intake Counselor position is supervised by the Intake Program Manager.

Responsibilities can include:

  • Answering phone calls received through our Civil Liberties Hotline;
  • Conducting initial interview questions with the callers, writing clear and complete notes during the call, and documenting relevant matters in a concise manner;
  • Reviewing, evaluating, and responding to written requests for assistance, including mail and online complaints; and
  • Working with a web-based database to enter and update information from the intake, as well as catalog that data within the system.

Qualifications

The ACLU NorCal values equity and inclusion and encourages a diversity of candidates from various backgrounds to apply.

Individuals joining the Legal-Policy Department team as a Volunteer Civil Liberties Intake Counselor must have the following skills and qualifications:

  • Strong commitment to and enthusiasm for the mission of the ACLU of Northern California;
  • Ability to adhere to a strict code of confidentiality;
  • A dedication to ongoing learning on how to best perform intake volunteer duties;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Proficiency with or willingness to learn Outlook;
  • Proficiency with or willingness to learn a web-based database; and
  • Highly organized and careful attention to detail.

Helpful but not required skills and qualifications include

  • Advanced or higher proficiency in Spanish (reading, writing, listening, and speaking);
  • Experience with a web-based database.

Time commitment & benefits

We require a minimum 4-month commitment of at least 6 hours during the workweek (Monday - Friday). This is an unpaid position.

To apply

The cover letter should include why you are interested in this volunteer position and what your availability will be for the coming months.

The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, the ACLU NorCal strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is free from discrimination and supportive of a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our communities and the people we serve. ACLU NorCal will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

Apply