SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR 1, MENTAL HEALTH / ALCOHOLISM SERVICES
Mental Health/Alcoholism Services
Career Family: SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR
Because Substance Abuse Counselor 1, Mental Health / Alcoholism Services is non-competitive, hiring leans on your background rather than a test score: meet the requirements and apply to the agency directly.
Qualifying turns on 1 year of relevant experience. The FY2027 range lands between $58,222 and $84,763, and state payroll currently lists 5 people in the title, most of them at Juvenile Justice Commission.
How to apply
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No examThis title is not filled by examination
Non-competitive, unclassified, and Senior Executive Service titles are appointed directly by the hiring agency rather than through a civil service exam. Apply directly to the agency below.
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Agency posting
Department of Health posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Substance Abuse Counselor series
- Substance Abuse Counselor 1 — $58,222 – $84,763
- Substance Abuse Counselor 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
Its top salary lands around the 26th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 5 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $74,204. The agencies employing the most are:
- Juvenile Justice Commission (3)
- Health and Senior Services (1)
- Military and Veterans Affairs (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the direction of a Program Coordinator (Mental Health/Alcoholism Services) or Substance Abuse Counselor I (Mental Health/Alcoholism Services) or other supervisory officer in the Division of Mental Health and Hospitals, Department of Human Services, provides comprehensive alcoholism treatment and services to psychiatrically impaired alcoholics; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Develops preliminary treatment and rehabilitation plans for psychiatric patients who also suffer from alcoholism appropriately admitted to state mental health facilities. Participates in initial interviews with the clients and assesses clients' needs for services. Participate in intake, needs assessment, treatment process, discharge and follow-up planning as member of interdisciplinary team. Participates in case, diagnostic and progress conferences. Collects and documents substance abuse histories. Maintains caseload and conducts alcoholism counseling for individuals, groups and family members. Investigates and verifies pertinent facts and information necessary for an effective treatment plan. Attends and takes part in conferences, training institutes, and meetings concerned with the combined mental health/alcoholism programs and activities of the Division of Mental Health and Hospitals. Develops appropriate working relationships with various agencies to acquire, expand and improve services for the mentally ill alcoholic. Provides treatment team members with the special needs of mentally ill alcoholics and assesses the impact of program services on clients' problems and needs. Plans and conducts informal group discussions designed to encourage client participation, within the bounds of discipline and with a view toward the development of positive attitudes, cooperative relationships and social re-education and adjustments. Plans and conducts formal group discussions on a variety of subjects that enhance social and emotional adjustment. Provides assistance to group and recreational activities of the program and stimulates interest in and cooperation with social and education programs. May be required to make safety and fire checks, bed checks of patients, sanitation checks, inventory equipment or perform other duties during emergencies to protect patients and to protect state property. Prepares reports and correspondence. Maintains records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
One (1) year of experience in mental health or alcoholism counseling or social work having the responsibility for gathering and analyzing social or health information from clients, determining their needs and planning and carrying out a treatment plan geared to the needs of individual clients.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of facts, theories, hypotheses, programs, and research in the area of alcohol. Knowledge of procedures and techniques used in group and individual counseling. Knowledge of the problems involved in dealing constructively with human relationships, personality disorders, social behavior and social relationships. Ability to comprehend and adjust to frameworks of references other than one's own cultural and educational standards. Ability to relate and adjust to individuals of varied types. Ability to analyze, comprehend, interpret and apply basic laws, rules, regulations and procedures to specific situations. Ability to make appraisals of factual information and the social relationships of individuals and families to learn essential and significant facts in an individual or family situation, to weigh and evaluate such facts and to take appropriate action. Ability to comprehend the problems of persons who are physically and/or emotionally maladjusted. Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to prepare reports. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
CERTIFICATION
Applicants must possess a certificate as a certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), issued by the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Law & Public Safety. Applicants who possess the credentials as a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) are considered to have met the above certification.