Substance Use Disorder Counselor (Short-Term)

Company: NAMI San Diego
Location: San Diego
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Position Title: Substance Use Disorder Counselor - Temporary until 6/30/2026 Company Description: NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a nonprofit organization that provides free education, support services, and advocacy to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by mental illnesses. Primary Responsibilities/Function: Next Steps is an integrated care program funded by San Diego County to address the physical health, mental health and substance use needs of participants along with their needs for food, clothing, shelter, transportation and other social services. Staff provides clients and family members who visit the San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital (SDCPH) and its Emergency Unit with onsite support and resource information that promotes successful recovery and reentry into the community. The team consists of trained Peer Support Specialists, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselors and Behavioral Health Clinicians most of whom have lived experience with serious mental illness, substance use or a co-occurring disorder or have a family with lived experience. Staff offer services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. *This job is a short-term, grant-funded project that is expected to end June 30, 2026.* Duties and Responsibilities: Provide Brief ASAM Screenings to clients referred from the hospital. Provide orientation to the program and the concept of recovery. Develop and implement crisis and recovery plans. Provide brief individual and group recovery services, information, education, linking to community resources and recovery options. Provides a variety of interventions including brief individual counseling, crisis intervention, collateral services and other relevant recovery-related services to clients. Establishes trusting relationships and collaborates with clients, family members and/or significant others to facilitate client's recovery. Provides education to clients and their significant others regarding substance misuse. Participates in treatment team meetings in conjunction with clinical staff as needed. Prepares and implements discharge plans. Integrates recovery concepts with sound theoretical and practical applications of brief rehabilitative and individual, group, and milieu counseling principles. Displays regular and reliable attendance. Reports to and departs from work on time, as scheduled. Successfully functions as a team member. Accurately documents patient progress and every interaction correctly on forms and into computerized record system in a timely manner. Complies with all NAMI and program rules, policies and procedures including HIPAA requirements to maintain strict confidentiality. Deliver short term support and crisis services as needed. Provide messages of hope and recovery to clients, family members and significant others Establish and maintain supportive relationships with patients and their families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Other duties as assigned. Accountability: SUD Counselors report to the director of the Next Steps program. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Prolonged periods of standing and walking. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Minimum Requirements, including linguistic and cultural skills, education, experiences, licenses and certifications: Possess a State approved SUD certification or registration through CAADE or CCAPP upon hire and maintain active certification while employed. AA degree preferred. Preferred self-identified as a peer or family member of a peer Knowledge of San Diego County's behavioral health and social services Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing Experience in community mental health and the peer recovery model preferred. Able to work with minimal direction and supervision. Comfortable working in a psychiatric hospital based behavioral health service setting. Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Set priorities and react appropriately to emergency situations. Basic knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel), email and web navigation Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality. Must be able to pass Livescan background check. Available to work evenings, weekends and holidays as required by contract. Schedule is usually Sunday through Thursday or Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30am-5:00pm. Must be willing and able to drive personal car for work purposes and transport clients as appropriate. Have valid California Driver's License and comprehensive automobile insurance as required by law. Due to our work with vulnerable populations and county contractor requirements, applicants will be required to undergo a background check following a contingent offer of employment and must receive satisfactory results prior to a final offer of employment. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please feel free to reach out to HR@namisd.org.

Keywords: NAMI San Diego, El Centro , Substance Use Disorder Counselor (Short-Term), Healthcare , San Diego, California