Counselor - Ithaca, NY (35199)

To be considered for any SJCS careers all applicants must apply using this link SJCS Careers

About St. John’s Community Services

Founded in 1868, St. John’s Community Services is a private not for profit organization driven by our mission of advancing inclusive communities where every person, regardless of circumstances, has the opportunity to live their best life.

About Serenity House

Serenity House is a residential treatment program located in Ithaca that welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds who are recovering from substance use disorders and seeking long-term rehabilitation support. Through client-centered residential care, we work collaboratively with residents to support their reintegration into the community through counseling, vocational opportunities, life skills development, and connections to local resources.

Our team is committed to providing compassionate, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented services that promote dignity, growth, and long-term wellness.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a compassionate, dependable, and motivated Counselor who is passionate about supporting individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. The ideal candidate demonstrates professionalism, strong communication skills, and the ability to build safe and supportive therapeutic relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

The successful candidate will be committed to person-centered care and capable of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary residential treatment team.

Ideal Qualities and Skills:

• Ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive care to diverse populations
• Strong understanding of professional ethics, boundaries, and confidentiality requirements
• Commitment to empowering residents to achieve individualized treatment and recovery goals
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while remaining flexible and proactive
• Willingness to seek clarification, support, and feedback when needed
• Ability to appropriately utilize crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe environment
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, current treatment trends, and recovery culture
• Familiarity with mental health first aid principles and behavioral health support strategies
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to complete timely, accurate, and professional documentation using electronic systems
• Commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards in residential care services

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of Associate degree in human services or a related field.
• One or more years of relevant experience in behavioral health, substance use treatment, residential care, or related services preferred
• Current certification/licensure CASAC, CASAC-T, CASAC-P, LMHC, LMSW, or related other credentials.

Core Responsibilities:

• Maintain a caseload of residents enrolled in the residential treatment program
• Facilitate approximately 3–5 therapeutic and psychoeducational groups per week
• Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans
• Participate in the admission, intake, and discharge planning process
• Collaborate with community-based providers and referral sources to support continuity of care
• Support residents in achieving goals identified within their treatment plans
• Provide person-centered and recovery-oriented services that uphold resident dignity, autonomy, and integrity
• Develop and maintain positive, professional, and collaborative relationships with residents, families, and the SJCS team
• Complete timely and accurate documentation in accordance with agency and New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) standards
• Work closely with program leadership to maintain compliance with applicable regulations and agency policies
• Ensure resident and program confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, 42CFR, and agency requirements
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, training, and other program activities as assigned

This list of responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this position is not in its entirety as other duties may be assigned and are expected to be followed.

All SJCS employees must:

• Obtain a valid health certificate to meet current funding authority requirements as required.
• Having a valid state-issued driver’s license with a current driving record in good standing is required.
• Meet SJCS and the funding authority requirement of criminal background and record checks.

Physical and environmental conditions include:

• Work requires no unusual demand for physical effort except the normal risks or discomforts, requiring special safety precautions for operating a motor vehicle.
• Some travel – less than 10%.

The hiring range for this position ranges from $22/hr to $23/hr and is dependent on experience.

Other benefits include the following:

• Medical, dental, vision, STD, and other benefits and company contributions
• Retirement plans.
• Company paid LTD.
• Connectivity reimbursements (some employees)
• PTO, Vacation, and sick time off.
• Flexibility
• Helping other people live their best life!

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Salary : $22 - $23