Substance Abuse Counselor - JFK ADATC

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

State of North Carolina

Buncombe County, NC

On-site

Posted March 22, 2026

Job Description

Agency

Division

Job Classification Title

Substance Abuse Counselor (NS)

Position Number

Grade

NC10

About Us

North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services.

Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website.

Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today!

Description of Work

Employees are assigned to state facilities such as an area alcohol and drug abuse treatment center (ADATC), a state psychiatric hospital, a state developmental center, or a correctional facility. Employees assist clients with substance use disorders with development of cognitive, behavioral, social, and vocational skills through the use of counseling, behavioral and case management interventions. Work involves screening clients who are referred for addictive and/or psychological disorders. Employees use standardized tools to screen clients, conduct intakes and orientations, and complete assessments (social, educational, cultural, psychological, physical, career, and familial histories). Employees provide behavioral intervention therapy related to criminal related behaviors and attitudes for those clients involved with the criminal justice system. Employees may serve as an interface between mental health providers while continuing to provide substance use disorder counseling. Employees may collaborate with other healthcare professionals on more complex cases to facilitate continuity of care.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $43,267 to $75,718

Experience providing group and individual counseling.
Thorough knowledge of community support groups and resources for individuals with substance use disorders.
Skill in evaluating and screening clients for appropriate treatment and referrals

The Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center is currently accepting applications for a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor position. The primary purpose of the Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor is to develop and implement the primary therapeutic treatment of the patient.

Who we are: JFKADATC is a 68-bed inpatient treatment facility designed to meet the needs of adults with substance use disorders from the 44 westernmost counties in North Carolina.

What we do: The facility treats adults with substance use disorders and psychiatric diagnoses. JFK is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations as a Behavioral Health facility and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

Summary or Brief Description of Work:

If you are looking for a meaningful career working as part of a multi-disciplinary team that impacts lives, please consider the Substance Abuse Counselor position at the Julian F Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center (JFK ADATC) in Black Mountain.

Primary responsibilities for the Substance Abuse Counselor include the provision of case management services/aftercare planning for JFK-ADATC patients. This includes making referrals to community resources, developing working relationships with referral sources, maintaining up-to-date information on housing and funding sources, and managing patient expectations. The Substance Abuse Counselor works with patients who have substance abuse issues including acute and/or chronic crises related to lack of resources. The Substance Abuse Counselor must have the ability to work with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team which includes staff from medical, nursing, counseling, recreational therapy, and education departments. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to psychosocial assessment, treatment team activities, documentation, individual and group sessions, crisis intervention and quality assurance.

**Applicants must pass a background check to be eligible for this job

NOTE: This is a generalized representation of positions in this class and is not intended to identify essential functions per ADA. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

This position is designated MANDATORY and must report or stay over during adverse weather events.

What We Offer:

*JFK is committed to the continuous professional development of our employees. We offer clinical supervision for LCSW, CADC, LCAS, LCMHC and CCS credentials.

*Continuing Education in Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, CRM, and more.

*Work/Life Balance. JFK offers a 40-hour workweek with no on-call requirements.

*As a state employee you are eligible for a variety of high-quality low-cost benefit options. State employees receive 12 paid holidays and earn 14 days of vacation leave and 12 days of sick leave annually. (Visit https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits for a more detailed description of our benefits).

About the Division of Health and Human Services:

The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state with approximately 18,000 employees. DHHS is responsible for ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all North Carolinians.

For current State employees, please note that as of June 1, 2018, promotional priority and salary administration will be made based on the new Statewide NC Classification System.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Necessary Special Qualifications Credentialed as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), or as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist – Associate (LCAS-A), or in an equivalent credential from a governing authority recognized by the NC Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board to practice under the provisions of the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Act.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Qandeel Murshin Chandler

Recruiter Email:

QANDEEL.CHANDLER@DHHS.NC.GOV