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Overview
Mid-Level

Substance Abuse Counselor - ACDP- Statewide (Tier 1)

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

State of North Carolina

State of North Carolina

101 Locations
On-site
Posted March 22, 2026

Job Description

Agency

Adult Correction

Division

Job Classification Title

Substance Abuse Counselor (S)

Position Number

Grade

NC10

About Us

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community. Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!

Description of Work

The Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency Program (ACDP) staff plans, administers and coordinates chemical dependency screening and substance use disorder treatment services within the Department of Public Safety. Substance Abuse Counselors are the front line for the prison treatment programs for ACDP. They develop, implement and coordinate treatment plans for each client. Other responsibilities include: intake, assessment, gathering social histories, conducting treatment progress evaluations, documenting in OPUS and preparing discharge summaries. SAC’s also assist clients in developing recovery plans and community support, as well as maintaining appropriate participation and progress in attaining treatment goals.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Pay Range $43,267.00 - $75,718.00

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week, four days 10 hours per day) with State Benefits 

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

The Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency Program (ACDP) is a specialized behavioral health service that provides substance use treatment in North Carolina prisons. ACDP uses evidence-based clinical interventions and programming to help incarcerated individuals achieve and maintain recovery. Services include therapeutic communities, outpatient counseling, aftercare, and 12-step support groups. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website forState Benefits. 

Supplemental Contact Information 

NCDAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. For more information about the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections (NCDAC), please visit us at our website. 

 

Application Process 
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. 

  • Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. 
  • Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers. 
  • If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the night before closing date. 
  • Applicantsmaybe subject to a criminal background check.  
  • If applying for a position certified through the NC Dept. of Justice - Criminal Justice Standards Division, click this link for specific certification requirements:  Correctional & Probation/Parole Officer Certification. 
  • The NC Dept. of Adult Correction must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape."  Click this link for information on hiring and promotion prohibition requirements for all positions in the NC Dept. of Adult Correction: PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader). 
  • Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. The hiring process may take several weeks. 
  • Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. 
  • For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. 

Degree/College Credit Verification 

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. 

 

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference 

·                Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach aDD-214 Member-4 Form(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. 

·                Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 

·                Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. 

 

ADA Accommodations 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, NCDAC will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below. 

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.

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:

Lisa Warren Byrd

Email:

recruiters@dac.nc.gov