Addictions Counselor

About Engage

Engage is a young adult transition community located footsteps from Southern Utah University. We work with young adults navigating anxiety, depression, executive functioning challenges, and identity development. Our approach is rooted in structured autonomy, developmental attunement, and authentic relationships. We are not a punitive or behaviorally focused program—our emphasis is on connection, growth, and forward momentum.

Job Title: Substance Use Counselor (Contractor)
Location: Cedar City, UT
Apply via email: [email protected]
Job Type: Contract

engagelifenow.com

About the Role

Engage is seeking a contracted Substance Use Counselor(SUC) to support our young adult community in Cedar City, UT. This role is ideal for a clinician who understands the complex intersection of substance use, mental health, and emerging adulthood. The SUC will provide individual counseling for young adults with a history of substance use, collaborate with our clinical and coaching teams, and help guide young adults toward healthier decision-making and increased self-awareness.

This is a 1099 contractor position with flexible scheduling depending on client needs and your availability.

Substance Use Counselor (Contracted)Mission: Support young adults at Engage in understanding and addressing substance use through developmentally attuned and collaborative counseling that promotes healthy decision-making, increased self-awareness, and long-term recovery.

Most Critical Outcome:Young adults at risk for, or in need of addressing, substance use or process addictions are actively participating at least monthly in individualized counseling and/or a recovery-focused community that supports personal growth, healthy decision-making, and the development of a connected, independent, and healthy life.

Drivers:

• Provide individual counseling to young adults with a history of or risk for substance abuse and process additions
• Collaborate with therapists, life coaches, and case managers to support wraparound care
• Provide guidance and trainings to the team regarding substance use patterns, treatment planning, and relapse prevention
• Provide education on harm reduction, recovery-aligned language, and substance use trends to staff and families
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation within Engage systems
• Promote a culture of safety, curiosity, and compassion around substance abuse
• When clinically appropriate, connect Engage clients to local services and supports, and attend such activities with the young adults.
• Conduct substance/process addiction groups when as needed

Key Focuses:

• Align your approach with addressing the clients substance/process addiction needs to improve the clients connection, independence, and their health.
• Utilizing your power of connecting with young people by relating to their needs, perspectives and mindsets of substance and process addictions.
• Meet young adults where they are—across the stages of change
• Normalize and reduce shame around conversations about substance/process use
• Empower young adults to define and pursue their own recovery goals
• Integrate substance use counseling into holistic mental health care

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct up to weekly or as recommended by the treatment team individual counseling sessions for assigned clients
• Independently schedule counseling sessions and additional recovery supports for assigned clients (attending AA meetings, sober community activities, etc)
• Participate in collaborative care with Engage’s multidisciplinary team
• Maintain documentation in alignment with Engage's clinical expectations
• Contribute expertise in staff consults and treatment planning
• Stay up to date with research and trends in substance use and emerging adulthood
• Provide occasional staff or parent education around relevant substance use topics

Schedule & Compensation:

• Contracted 1099 position with flexible hours based on caseload and availability
• [$23-$50/hour depending on education and experience]
• Weekly 1:1s with Clinical Director or Primary Therapist

Required Qualifications:

• Utah licensure or certification as a Substance Use Counselor (CSUDC, SUDC)
• Experience with young adults and co-occurring mental health conditions
• Strong foundation in harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care
• Effective communication and documentation skills
• Ability to balance autonomy with team collaboration