Substance Use Counselor - Men's Shelter

Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career!!!

Please apply by: July 13th, 2026

Salary Range: $47,393.00 - $71,089.00 per year.  This is an exempt (salaried) position.  Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too.  Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

Community Support Services (CSS) transforms lives and community by supporting veterans, ending homelessness, treating substance use, and preventing and intervening in community and domestic violence. As a department in Mecklenburg County’s Health and Human Services Agency, CSS maximizes community partnerships and collaborative opportunities to improve access to services and advocate for the needs of special populations.

Position Specific Information

This position is located at the Roof Above Men’s Shelter at 1210 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28206, working with specific populations including men experiencing homelessness.

The required work schedule is onsite Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Coverage of the after-hours phone is also required on a rotating basis.

This person will serve as one of the primary counselors for the SAIOP program offered within the shelter. Facilitate substance use groups and individual counseling, provide Person Centered Planning, complete Treatment Authorization Requests, and provide case management services.  Experience completing NCTOPPs, Person Centered Plans, and Service Authorization Requests is desired.

Community Support Services positions: This position performs key job functions at a community partner work site. Employment in this position is conditional upon following all policies and procedures of the community partner host agency and adhering to all requirements that the community partner agency has established to grant and maintain physical and/or virtual access to the work site. If access is revoked, employment will be terminated.

Position Summary

Provide counseling to individuals with various substance use and mental health issues. This position, with a high degree of latitude, is responsible for providing general counseling, developing person-centered plans, and providing educational lectures based on the 12 core functions of substance use counseling.

Essential Functions

Provide substance use services based on the 12 core functions of substance use counseling
Provide individual and group counseling
Assist with the development of the client’s person-centered plan and monitor progress
Complete documentation in accordance with Federal, state and county policies
Participate in clinical supervision
Provide didactic education on recovery related topics
Generate letters on behalf of clients to verify participation in treatment
Conduct random urine drug screens or Breathalyzer tests
Complete Incident Reports as needed
Maintain client record
Work on an interdisciplinary team and communicate daily with the team
May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster or assist with other mass care duties in the event of an emergency

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Minimum of three years of experience in substance abuse counseling.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in a human services field.

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?  Yes

Licenses and Certifications:
CADC certified as an Alcohol & Drug Counselor, LCAS Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, by the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board, LCAS-A associate licensed individuals may be considered.
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
Requires County Driving Privileges

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience completing NCTOPPs, Person Centered Plans, and Service Authorization Requests.

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package which greatly increases your total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short term disability, long term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare and commuter flexible spending accounts;  health savings account; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses; an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling; access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined benefit plan for retirement.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of
Adult mental health/substance use treatment philosophies and practices, assessments, services, programs and standards/criteria
Basic psychopharmacology
Person-centered planning treatment modalities
Recovery models
Motivational interviewing techniques
Problem solving techniques
Crisis intervention methods
Conflict resolution techniques
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines
Individual rights
Individual choice
Case management principles and practices

Skills
Managing a caseload
Determining effective intervention techniques for individuals
Using a computer and related software applications
Accessing community resources
Developing networks with other providers

Abilities
Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner
Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
Care Management: Having the knowledge and skills to secure relevant client care data and identify key issues and relationships in the management of client care; understanding the relationships among assessments, interventions, and client responses; skilled in documentation of assessments and adjusting interventions as needed
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
Client Education/Health Promotion: Supporting, explaining, and instructing client and client’s family (significant other, care giver, etc.) in understanding the clinical procedures and equipment used to facilitate optimum health status; promoting the lifestyle changes required of the client and the client’s family to achieve optimum health status
Client Relations: Meeting client and client family needs; taking responsibility for a client’s safety, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes; using appropriate interpersonal techniques to resolve difficult client situations and regain client confidence
Planning and Organizing: Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently

Computer Skills
Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

Work Environment

Works in an office setting with moderate noise

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.