Group Counselor

Position Summary

The TRUST Center is a respected outpatient substance use disorder program dedicated to empowering individuals on their path to recovery. The Group Counselor is a key member of the multidisciplinary team and provides group counseling, psychoeducation, crisis intervention, and recovery support to individuals receiving services through the program.

The Group Counselor works collaboratively with clinical, medical, and program staff to support client needs and promote sustained recovery. This position requires strong group facilitation skills, knowledge of substance use disorders and recovery principles, sound professional judgment, and the ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The Group Counselor is expected to provide services in accordance with applicable New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) requirements, RECAP policies and procedures, program standards, ethical requirements, and established clinical practices.

Essential Functions

Group Counseling and Client Services

• Facilitate structured group counseling sessions for clients receiving outpatient substance use disorder services.
• Create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment that encourages open communication, participation, accountability, and mutual support.
• Develop and facilitate psychoeducational sessions addressing topics including coping skills, relapse prevention, self-esteem, stress management, recovery planning, and related behavioral health topics.
• Utilize evidence-based approaches and recovery-oriented practices appropriate to client needs and program requirements.
• Support clients in developing effective coping strategies and skills that promote recovery and self-sufficiency.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to changes in client behavior, emotional status, or level of functioning.
• Provide timely and appropriate interventions during client crises and escalate concerns according to established procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients at all times.
• Encourage client participation in treatment and support individualized recovery goals.
• Document services and client interactions accurately, timely, and in accordance with program and regulatory requirements.

Clinical and Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including medical staff, counselors, clinical staff, and other program personnel to support comprehensive client care.
• Communicate relevant client concerns and treatment-related information to appropriate members of the treatment team.
• Participate in treatment planning and case consultation as assigned.
• Participate in staff meetings, case conferences, supervision, and other program meetings as required.
• Consult with the Program Director, Clinical Supervisor, or appropriate supervisory staff regarding clinical concerns, crises, or situations requiring additional intervention.
• Maintain current knowledge of substance use disorder treatment practices, recovery services, and applicable program requirements.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development activities.

Compliance Responsibilities

• Comply with applicable OASAS regulations, program requirements, RECAP policies and procedures, and professional standards.
• Maintain required credentials and certifications applicable to the position.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete client records and documentation.
• Protect the confidentiality of client information in accordance with applicable federal and state confidentiality requirements and RECAP policy.
• Follow established procedures for crisis intervention, incident reporting, emergency response, and client safety.
• Follow all applicable mandated reporting requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of group counseling and other assigned services.
• Attend required supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Follow all applicable health, safety, infection control, and workplace requirements.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards in all client and staff interactions.

Physical Requirements

While performing this job, the employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, and move throughout the work environment.

The position requires the ability to communicate effectively with clients, coworkers, supervisors, medical professionals, and community partners, including the ability to talk and hear.

The employee must be able to use standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, and other electronic equipment.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in an outpatient substance use disorder treatment setting and may include individual offices, group counseling rooms, common areas, and other agency or community locations.

The position involves regular interaction with individuals receiving substance use disorder services and may involve exposure to emotionally challenging situations, including client crises or behaviors requiring intervention.

The employee is expected to maintain a professional, safe, respectful, and therapeutic environment and follow all established emergency, safety, and crisis response procedures.

If the position requires driving on agency business, duties may include travel on city streets and highways, with exposure to varying weather and traffic conditions. Employees are expected to follow all applicable laws and RECAP's Driver Safety requirements.

Behavioral Expectations

Employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, and dependability.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with clients, families, coworkers, supervisors, medical professionals, and community partners.
• Maintain appropriate professional and therapeutic boundaries.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness, empathy, and respect for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team while exercising sound judgment and initiative.
• Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing client and program needs.
• Maintain a commitment to professional development and evidence-based practices.
• Follow agency policies, procedures, clinical standards, and supervisory direction.
• Support RECAP's mission, values, and commitment to providing exceptional service.

Disclosures

Credentialing Requirements: The employee must maintain the credentials required for the position and applicable OASAS and program requirements. Employees hired with CASAC-T status are expected to obtain the CASAC credential within the first year of employment, subject to applicable credentialing requirements.

Background Screening: Employment in this position is subject to applicable RECAP, program, and regulatory background screening requirements. The selected candidate must successfully complete all required background checks, fingerprinting, and other applicable screening requirements.

Confidentiality: The employee will have access to confidential client and treatment information. All client information must be maintained and disclosed in accordance with applicable federal and New York State confidentiality laws, regulations, OASAS requirements, and RECAP policies.

Crisis and Client Safety: The employee may encounter clients experiencing emotional distress, behavioral health concerns, substance use-related crises, or other situations requiring immediate intervention. The employee must follow established crisis response, emergency, incident reporting, and client safety procedures.

Drug-Free Workplace: RECAP is committed to maintaining a safe and drug-free workplace. Pre-employment and, where permitted by applicable law or required by program regulations or funding requirements, periodic drug testing may be conducted in accordance with agency policy.

Driving Requirements: This position requires a valid New York State driver's license and may require travel on agency business. Employees must comply with RECAP's Driver Safety requirements and all applicable traffic laws.

Reasonable Accommodation: RECAP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable federal, New York State, and local laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of this position unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the organization.

Professional Development: Employees are expected to participate in required supervision, training, continuing education, and professional development activities necessary to maintain applicable credentials and provide quality services.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc. (RECAP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, New York State, and local laws. RECAP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by law.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, physical requirements, or working conditions. RECAP reserves the right to modify or assign additional duties as business needs require.

Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned and are expected to comply with all agency policies, procedures, rules, clinical standards, and supervisory directives.

Nothing in this job description constitutes a contract of employment or alters the at-will employment relationship, where applicable under law.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum credential of CASAC-T with eligibility to obtain the CASAC credential within the first year of employment.
• CASAC credential preferred; or qualified health professional (QHP) licensed by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), as applicable to the position and program requirements.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, addiction recovery, and recovery-oriented services.
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed care.
• Strong group facilitation skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain professional relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and respond appropriately to client crises.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation.
• Valid New York State driver's license.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to work independently while following established clinical and program procedures.

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Must maintain a valid New York State driver’s license throughout employment.
• Must successfully complete any required agency vehicle or driver requirements.
• Must successfully complete required pre-employment background screening and receive satisfactory results in accordance with RECAP policies and applicable requirements.
• Must successfully complete the required pre-employment drug screening and receive satisfactory results in accordance with RECAP policies and applicable requirements.
• Must successfully complete any required physical examination or health clearance.
• Must maintain reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Must complete required agency, program, and departmental training.
• Must comply with all RECAP policies, procedures, program requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Must maintain confidentiality of client, employee, and organizational information.
• Must exercise appropriate discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Must perform other job-related duties as assigned.