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Substance Use Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Ontario, CA ยท On-site

$22.75 - $30.50/hr

Job Summary The Substance Use Disorder Counselor will work with individuals, families, and groups to provide therapeutic support and education to those affected by substance misuse in a manner that ...

Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Ontario, CA

$22.75 - $30.50/hr

Job Summary The Substance Use Disorder Counselor will work with individuals, families, and groups to provide therapeutic support and education to those affected by substance misuse in a manner that ...

Clinical Director

Pomona, CA ยท On-site

$80K - $109K/yr

Strong understanding of substance use disorders, mental health, and evidence-based treatment modalities. Knowledge of State & Accreditation requirements (DHCS, JCAHO, etc.). Excellent leadership ...

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Showing results 1-20

Substance Use information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$34.4K

$61.6K

$88.2K

How much do substance use jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for substance use in Riverside, CA is $61,567.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,100.00 and $72,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Substance Use Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Substance Use Counselor, you need a background in psychology, social work, or counseling, often supported by state licensure or certification in addiction counseling. Familiarity with treatment planning software, electronic health records (EHRs), and evidence-based intervention techniques is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, empathy, and strong communication abilities are essential for building trust and supporting clients through recovery. These competencies are crucial for effectively guiding individuals through treatment, ensuring ethical care, and fostering positive outcomes in challenging environments.

What is a substance use counselor?

A substance use counselor is a professional who helps individuals struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. They provide support through assessment, treatment planning, counseling sessions, and recovery strategies. Substance use counselors may work in various settings, such as rehabilitation centers, hospitals, or private practices, and often collaborate with other healthcare professionals. Their goal is to guide clients toward recovery and help them develop healthier coping mechanisms.

What is the difference between Substance Use vs Substance Use Counselor?

AspectSubstance UseSubstance Use Counselor
CredentialsVaries; often no formal certificationCertification required (e.g., CADC, CSAC)
Work EnvironmentCommunity clinics, hospitals, outreach programsRehabilitation centers, clinics, private practice
Industry UsageRefers to the issue or topic of substance useRefers to professionals providing treatment and support

Substance Use describes the issue or behavior related to the consumption of substances, while a Substance Use Counselor is a trained professional who provides treatment and support for individuals struggling with substance use problems. The counselor's role involves assessment, counseling, and developing recovery plans, whereas Substance Use refers to the broader topic or problem itself.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in substance use counseling, and how can they be effectively managed?

Substance use counselors often encounter challenges such as managing client relapse, navigating complex co-occurring mental health disorders, and maintaining clear professional boundaries. Building strong therapeutic alliances, participating in regular supervision, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams can help address these difficulties. Ongoing training in trauma-informed care and self-care strategies are also essential for sustaining effectiveness and personal well-being in this emotionally demanding field.
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Substance Use jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Substance Use job openings:
Infographic showing various Substance Use job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,567 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Substance Use Counselor

Illumination Health + Home

Riverside, CA โ€ข On-site

$20 - $24/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

โ€œEvery person deserves compassion, dignity, and the safety of a place to call home.โ€
Homelessness is the largest social and public health crisis in California. Illumination Health + Home is a growing non-profit organization dedicated towards disrupting the cycle of homelessness by providing targeted, interdisciplinary services in our recuperative care centers, emergency shelters, housing services and children's and family programs. IF currently has 13+ facilities with 22+ micro-communities scattered across Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.

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Job Description

The Substance Use Counselor (SUC) is responsible for providing adult client supervision in a shelter orย recuperative care facility, and assisting in the maintenance of a safe, secure environment that enhances behavioral health and substance use counseling while utilizing the harm reduction and recovery model to all clients being served.
The pay offered for this role isย $20-$24 per hour.
The schedule for this role is Sunday - Thursday, 7:00am to 3:30pm.ย 

Responsibilities

  • Within a harm reduction model complete substance use assessment, care plan, and goalย setting to clients interested in services
  • Works with a multidisciplinary team, lead site activities such as: current events groups,ย community meetings, goals groups, fitness groups, activities of daily living groups, and/orย recreational activities, as appropriate to the specified client population promoting safety andย comfort in a supportive, therapeutic environment
  • Provide individual and group counseling to clients struggling with substance use
  • Recognize the need for and provide crisis intervention services to clients as neededย according to PRO-ACT principles
  • Documents all client interactions or activities complete on behalf of the client (includingย collaboration with other disciplines, case consultations, telephone calls, leaving voicemails,ย and collateral contact) in AICA & KIPU according to the documentation standards of theย agency and within 96 hours of service provision
  • Meet documentation standards as assigned by Clinical Supervisor, Manager or Director
  • Informs Supervising Manager or Director, within 12 hours of making an incident report,ย APS/CPS and/or 5150 report within a mandated time frame
  • Collaborate (on a need-to-know basis) with teams including site nursing, case management,ย behavioral health therapists, site-staff, food service and transportation regarding clientโ€™sย substance use counseling needs, ensuring the highest level of client careย 
  • Maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials according to HIPAAย standards
  • Assists client with activities of daily living; attend to client behavioral issues and provideย assistance in crisis intervention, as needed
  • Tracks and maintain client observation, sets boundaries on inappropriate behavior, andย recognizes the need for and provide crisis intervention services to clientsย 
  • Act as a liaison with clients, families of clients, or external facilities and agenciesย 
  • Follow established institutional policies and procedures, objectives, quality assuranceย program, safety environmental, and infection control standards
  • Research and build relationships with community agencies for client resources and linkage
  • ย Familiarization with supportive services in county/counties served, including but not limited to linking clients to outside therapy, mental health, substance use treatment, job training,ย schooling, church, AA/NA meetings, etc.
  • Participates in the development and implementation of client treatment programs asย directed
  • Attends and participates in staff meetings, in service trainings, workshops and other requiredย meetings as directed
  • Drive to any IF location for coverage, trainings, or support, as directedย 
  • Support volunteers as needed; may be required to supervise volunteer(s)ย 
  • Circulate throughout the facility every hour and check-in with security guards and medical staffย concerning any client related issues. Be available to assist staff immediately with the de-escalation process when asked to do so by security guards, medical staff, and site-staffย 
  • Other responsibilities, as assigned by Supervisor, Associate Manager, Manager or Director

Expectations
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  • We uphold the values ofย Community, Action, Respect, andย Empowermentย in all aspects of our work.โ€ฏย 

  • Communityย We lead with the vision of a strengthened and compassionate community for all. By embodying collective care, we serve as an example of what is possible when we come together.โ€ฏย 

  • Actionย Our โ€œwhatever it takesโ€ mindset drives us forward. We take initiative, step in where others have stepped out, and create solutions when noneย exist.โ€ฏย 

  • Respectย Weย deeply value the dignity and uniqueness of every individual we serve. We honor their stories, their journeys, and their right to be seen and heard.โ€ฏย 

  • Empowermentย We healโ€”always. Our work enables clients to grow stronger in health, confidence, and belief in their potential as they move forward on their life journey.โ€ฏย 

  • Follow all safety and sanitation guidelinesโ€ฏย 

  • Set andย maintainย healthy boundaries with clients and staff.โ€ฏย 

  • Be able to meet targets and work under pressure.โ€ฏโ€ฏย 

  • Communicate any concerns and feedback to the Site Manager with tact and professionalism.โ€ฏย 

  • Demonstrate the ability toย maintainย confidentiality of client information and work-related information/materials.โ€ฏย 

  • Must remain in full compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal wage and hour laws, California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), as well as other regulatory and compliance standards relevant to the organization's operations.ย 

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Preferred Experience/Minimum Qualifications:

Required:
  • High School graduate or GED equivalent
  • Certified Substance Use Counselor or registered to become one (lesser pay)
  • Two years of experience working with unhouse/substance population
  • Ability to work flexible hours when needed (2nd and 3rd shifts)
Preferred:
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish
  • Experience and knowledge with electronic filing system (KIPU & AICA)
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).
  • AA Degree in Psychology and/or Sociology

Benefits

  • Medical Insurance funded byย Illumination Health + Homeย (Kaiser and Blue Shield), depending on the plan
  • Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance funded 100% by Illumination Health + Home
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Professional Development Reimbursement
  • 401K with Company Matching
  • 10 days' vacation PTO/year
  • 6 days sick PTO/year
  • 10 days holiday PTO/year
  • Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSFL) for federally qualified loans