SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR INTERN
There is no civil service exam for Substance Abuse Counselor Intern. As a non-competitive state or local title, it is filled on the strength of meeting the listed qualifications.
The one gate is a high school diploma. The FY2027 range lands between $50,990 and $73,902, and state payroll currently lists 3 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
How to apply for this title →Who employs this title
State payroll records show 3 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $55,907. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (3)
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 close supervision of a Supervising Counselor (LCADC), receives formal clinical supervision and on the job training to learn the skills to provide substance abuse counseling, treatment services, assessment, and compile documentation and/or reports; complies with all the Federal Laws and State statutes and regulations. Learns the varied tasks involved in providing counseling and other rehabilitative services; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Internship provides supervised practical training experience leading towards certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor. Under close clinical supervision, completes the education and training necessary to learn the 12 ¿ core functions: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling-individual, group and family, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, consultation, and record keeping. Attends seminars, workshops and other educational training necessary to complete the internship program. Learns to conduct preliminary and intake interviews, and gather needed information. Under supervision, collects and documents substance abuse histories. Learns to assist in the development of preliminary treatment and rehabilitation plan(s). Learns to participate in diagnostic, case management meetings and progress conferences. Learns to prepare and submit reports. Learns to investigate and verify facts and information necessary for an effective treatment plan. Establishes and maintains appropriate working relationships with involved agencies. Learns to consult with agencies to gather information and provide follow-up services for clients. Learns the process of referring clients to other agencies for needed services. Learns to evaluate client progress in treatment, and to identify needed changes in the treatment plan(s). Learns to interpret policies, procedures, regulations, standards, and objectives of the substance abuse program. Learns to conduct special surveys, studies, and investigations and document the findings. Learns to maintain an assigned caseload and provide group or individual counseling. Learns to plan and conduct group discussions on a variety of subjects. Learns to plan and coordinate activities as part of the counseling program. In treatment centers, may be required to conduct safety and fire checks, bed checks of residents or patients, sanitation checks, or perform other duties during emergencies to protect residents and patients. Keeps current with literature and practices in the field of substance abuse counseling. Learns to participate in the development of educational and/or services programs. Prepares reports and routine 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.
Education
Possession of a high school diploma or a GED. Appointees must provide proof of enrollment in the course work required under N.J.A.C. 13:34C-2.3(b)4. Appointees will be granted a maximum of three (3) years to complete the Intern Program. SPECIAL SKILL: Appointees to the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf must be able to communicate effectively in the language of the deaf, particularly American Sign Language, sufficiently to perform duties of this position, and must successfully pass a screening process administered by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Committee at the School.
License
Appointees 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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the techniques used to gather information. Knowledge of the services and programs needed by substance abuse clients. Knowledge of theories, procedures and techniques used in group and individual counseling. Knowledge of the social, economic and other problems associated with substance abuse. Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations, and apply them to specific situations. Ability to gather and analyze data. Ability to learn to identify problems of substance abuse clients. Ability to prepare reports and case presentations. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those involved in the work of the unit. Ability to learn to evaluate client progress. Ability to learn the varying methods used to treat substance abuse. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to learn to prepare counseling plans. 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 the 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 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. ADVANCEMENT: The clinical supervision of the Counselor Interns must be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:34C-6.2k. The evaluation process of the Counselor Interns must be in accordance with N.J.A.C.13:34C-6.2j. Appointees who successfully complete the certification process and are awarded the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification issued by the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Law and Public Safety shall be advanced to the title Substance Abuse Counselor 1 or Substance Abuse Counselor 1 Bilingual Spanish/English or Substance Abuse Counselor 1 Mental Health/Alcoholism Services in the Department of Human Services, under Civil Service Commission procedures. Appointees to the title Substance Abuse Counselor 1 Bilingual Spanish/English will be required to pass a language exam to qualify for the bilingual position. Employees in the Substance Abuse Counselor Intern title who obtain certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) in less than three (3) years shall be advanced to the title Substance Abuse Counselor 1 or Substance Abuse Counselor 1 Bilingual Spanish/English or Substance Abuse Counselor 1 Mental Health/Alcoholism Services in the Department of Human Services, upon receipt of said certification. The inability of an employee in this title to adequately progress in the established training program and/or attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the primary title (Substance Abuse Counselor 1 or Substance Abuse Counselor 1 Bilingual Spanish/English or Substance Abuse Counselor 1 Mental Health/Alcoholism Services in the Department of Human Services) shall be considered as cause for separation. The inability of an employee in this title to complete the certification process and receive the certification within three (3) years from date of appointment as a Substance Abuse Counselor Intern shall be considered as cause for separation.
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.