CADC Counselor

About Bright Star Community Outreach:

Over the course of our proud fifteen-year history, Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO) has made significant contributions to the renewal of Chicago’s most vulnerable communities as a 501C3 nonprofit organization. Driven by our hope for change in this city and the families that call it home, Bright Star’s presence has been marked by effective programming, social development, and advocacy; particularly in the greater Bronzeville community of Chicago’s south side. Led by founder and CEO, Pastor Chris Harris, Sr., who grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood where we are currently located, our strategy includes developing impactful community development initiatives aimed at facing our largest societal challenges: violence in our communities, poor economic opportunities, inadequate mental health services, affordable housing and education.These efforts are designed to strengthen local families and communities, as well as leverage our key partnerships with organizations and businesses that share our passion for seeing renewal in Chicago.

About the Behavioral Health and Education Department of BSCO

BSCO’s Behavioral Health and Education Department supports the larger mission of Bright Star Community Outreach which exists to be a hub that addresses challenges in under-resourced, underserved, and underdeveloped communities by utilizing our Trauma and Training and Community Conversations and Collaborations Models. BSCO understands that mental wellness and educational success are deeply interwoven. Both in tandem, lead to better quality of life for children, youth and families.

We are committed to serving the Bronzeville and Greater ChicagoLand areas through comprehensive, culturally relevant behavioral health and education programming. We do this by recognizing that we are the community we serve. Our dedicated staff are members of the communities we serve. Therefore, we aim to reflect the type of care, compassion and commitment to diversity in our work that we desire to both receive and commit to give one another internally. Building bridges of trust through integrity and intent, our goal is to improve mental health, social-emotional learning and academic outcomes in the lives of our surrounding community. It is our hope that the service we provide becomes a positive, life-changing core memory that remains with our participants for years to come.

Position Overview:

The CADC Counselor provides substance use disorder (SUD) assessment, counseling, and recovery support services to individuals and families. This role delivers evidence-based interventions to support clients in achieving and maintaining sobriety, while addressing co-occurring mental health needs. Services are provided in a community-based setting. This position is supported through a grant funded by CDPH (Chicago Department of Public Health), which is part of a two-year cycle ending December 31, 2028, with plans to apply for renewal for an additional grant cycle.

Key Responsibilities:

● Provide individual and group counseling to individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders.

● Conduct comprehensive substance use and mental health assessments.

● Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans.

● Facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic groups focused on recovery, relapse prevention, and life skills.

● Monitor client progress and adjust treatment approaches as needed.

● Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation.

● Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including medical providers, case managers, and mental health clinicians.

● Provide referrals and coordinate care with external providers and community resources.

● Support clients in developing relapse prevention strategies and coping skills.

● Integrate evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed approaches.

● Educate clients and families on substance use, mental health, recovery processes, and available supports.

● Provide presentations on mental health and substance use topics to community partners and stakeholders as needed.

● Participate in Bright Star Community Outreach's fundraising and public relations events and efforts as needed and to the extent that it does not interfere with other job duties.

Qualifications:

● MUST Pass a CPS background check.

● Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field required.

● Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor ( CADC ) required (state-recognized credential).

● Clinical licensure (e.g., LSW, LPC, LCSW, LCPC) preferred but not required.

● Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is required.

● Experience working with individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders preferred.

● Knowledge of evidence-based practices such as MI, CBT, and relapse prevention.

● Familiarity with 12-step and other recovery-oriented models.

Skills & Competencies:

● Strong clinical assessment and counseling skills.

● Ability to engage and motivate clients in various stages of change.

● Effective group facilitation and presentation skills.

● Strong organizational and documentation skills.

● Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

● Cultural humility and commitment to equitable care.

Work Environment:

● Community-based setting.

● May require travel.

Application:

For more information or to apply, please contact Jessica Hollie at [email protected].

Bright Star Community Outreach is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Language:

• English and Spanish proficiently (Required)

License/Certification:

• CADC (Required)

Work Location: In person