Substance Designer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $33.00 - $35.00 Hourly
Location : Wells/Robertson House, One Wells Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD
Job Type: Year-Round Part-TIme
Job Number: FY2026-01078
Department: Community, Neighborhood & Housing Services
Division: Homeless Services (1216)
Opening Date: 01/29/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Description
The Wells/Robertson House provides transitional housing for people in recovery from substance misuse and is seeking a skilled, experienced, and licensed Clinical Social Worker or Professional Counselor for the part-time position of Relief Counselor II to oversee the Housing Initiative Program and assist with other duties for individuals undergoing alcohol/drug treatment or other professional counseling while looking to break the cycle of homelessness.
As the Relief Counselor II, you will oversee the Housing Initiative Program (HIP), a cooperative arrangement with Montgomery County government designed to reduce the incidence of homelessness by providing permanent supportive housing for qualifying individuals. Embracing the Housing First model, where homeless individuals are moved directly from emergency shelter into permanent housing with wrap-around services, support is provided through case management and other resources once the individual is housed. You will supervise staff involved in case coordination of HIP participants, prepare counseling assessments and counsel and engage participants, conduct home visits to HIP participants living in off-site housing, and monitor participant progress.
On an as-needed basis, at the Wells/Robertson House you will also counsel individuals and groups on substance abuse, homelessness, and mental health matters; assist with assessments; handle admissions and discharges; monitor and chart resident progress; facilitate meetings; and transport House residents to meetings and appointments.
The ideal candidate will have previous experience working with the homeless, substance misusing, and co-occurring population and in substance abuse/chemical dependency counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation. You must have demonstrated knowledge of the Housing First and Harm Reduction Models and be licensed as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the State of Maryland to be considered. Previous experience working with the Montgomery County Housing Initiative Program is a plus.
Starting hourly rate is negotiable within the range depending on qualifications, experience, certifications, and training. Hours per week vary based on operational needs; the position may provide on-call, evening, weekend, and holiday shift coverage. Hours will not exceed an average of 27.5 hours per week. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.
Job Functions
What you will do with us:

• Provide supervision and oversight to staff involved in case coordination of the Housing Initiative Program (HIP).
• Prepare counseling assessments and counsel and engage residents of the Wells/Robertson House and participants of the HIP.
• Audit HIP participant charts and conduct home visits to HIP participants living independently in off-site housing.
• Assist with supporting Wells/Robertson House services including but not limited to assessments, counseling, handling admissions and discharges, monitoring and charting resident progress, facilitating meetings, and transporting House residents to meetings and appointments as needed.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies including contacting appropriate staff and supervisors; interact with emergency responders as needed.

Key job responsibilities are highlighted above; please to view the complete classification description for the Relief Counselor II position.
Qualifications
What you will need to be considered:

• Possession of a High School Diploma, High School Equivalency Diploma or G.E.D. Certificate.
• Clinical licensure; either a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPS) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C).
• Some experience or familiarity with the Montgomery County Housing Initiative Program desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interview, and counseling skills.
• Previous experience working with the homeless, substance misusing, and co-occurring population and in substance abuse/chemical dependency counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Housing First and Harm Reduction models.
• Knowledge of the Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) and the Peer Recovery service models preferred.
• Solid computer skills (Microsoft Office).
• Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of Maryland.
• Ability to speak, read and write fluently in a language in addition to English (such as Spanish, Chinese, Korean, etc.).
• Or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties.

Additional Information
Interested applicants must submit a complete online application to be considered.
Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made.
Successful candidates will be subject to a background check and drug/alcohol screening. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post-accident and random testing.
For more information about this position, contact Acting Homeless Services Division Manager Lee Jansky at or 240-805-1832. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 301.258.6327 or hr@gaithersburgmd.gov.
This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancies and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 6 months.
Benefits are not available with this position.
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information ("see resume" is not acceptable) may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?

• Yes
• No

02
Indicate the highest level of education obtained.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Other

03
If you have a college degree, indicate the area of study in which it was obtained.
04
Are you currently licensed as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Maryland?

• Yes
• No

05
Are you currently licensed as a Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the State of Maryland?

• Yes
• No

06
List any other relevant professional licenses, certificates or other credentials that you currently possess. Include the date completed or attained. If none, please state "None,"
07
List any relevant course work or other training you have completed. Include date of completion. If none, please state "None."
08
Are you able to communicate fluently in English (speaking, reading, writing, and understanding)?

• Yes
• No

09
Do you have previous paid experience working with a homeless, substance misusing and co-occurring population?

• Yes
• No

10
Which of the following best describes your previous experience in substance abuse/chemical dependency counseling, treatment and rehabilitation?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• More than 2 years

11
Do you have any experience working with the Montgomery County Housing Initiative Program (HIP)?

• Yes
• No

12
Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

13
A successful candidate must be available to provide on-call, evening, weekend and holiday shift coverage. If hired for this position, do you agree that you will be able to fulfill these expectations?

• Yes
• No

14
How did you first learn about this employment opportunity?

• City of Gaithersburg Website
• Job Interest Card Notification
• Indeed
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Other Website
• Social Media
• Friend or Relative
• I am currently a City employee
• Other

Required Question