Lead SUD Counselor (PM Shift)

Mission Edge•San Diego, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Stepping Stone of San Diego is a nonprofit organization specializing in LGBTQIA+ addiction recovery, mental health, and housing programs. Its County-funded Residential Program is a 31-bed Drug Medi-Cal inpatient recovery program with counselors, peer support, mental health services, and wrap-around services. The Lead SUD Counselor helps oversee the 24-hour residential substance use treatment facility and ensure it operates effectively and in compliance with DMC-ODS health and safety guidelines. The role manages SUD Counselors alongside a Co-Lead SUD Counselor and reports to the Program Manager. The position supervises and trains frontline SUD counselors, leads staff meetings, manages treatment and staffing schedules, and supports daily residential operations. It also provides counseling, case management, and assessments to a small resident caseload; coordinates with the multidisciplinary team; supports resident recovery and accountability; and helps ensure regulatory, clinical, safety, and organizational standards are met. The position is full-time, exempt, and assigned to the PM shift at Stepping Stone’s Central Avenue location in San Diego. The posted salary range is $70,500–$75,000. The role may require flexible hours, on-call availability, and evening, weekend, or holiday work.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience supervising a team.
Maintain active registration through CCAPP, CAADE, or CADTP, with completion and certification within 5 years of hire.
Ensure timely renewal of credentials.
Current CPR/First Aid certification, or obtain it within 90 days of hire.
ASAM training, or complete it within 10 days of hire.
Cultural competency and understanding of social determinants of health affecting LGBTQI+ communities.
Strong verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and in a group setting.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and shifting priorities in a residential setting.
Ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent time management skills and ability to complete tasks promptly according to program expectations.
Ability to meet documentation deadlines according to state, county, and program expectations.
Ability to work flexible hours, including days, nights, and weekends as needed in a residential setting.
Ability to be on call.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Experience supervising an SUD team.
Experience working with the LGBTQIA+ community.
1–2 years of experience serving clients in a human services setting.
Previous experience working in an SUD residential program.
Experience with SmartCare or other electronic health records.
Experience with Optum SUDPOH county forms used for AOD documentation.
Written and spoken bilingual fluency in Spanish and English.
Completion of SUD credentialing educational requirements.

Responsibilities

Supervise SUD Counselors and residential support staff, directing daily operations, workflow, staffing, and group coverage.
Ensure the residential environment meets health, safety, clinical, DMC-ODS, and organizational standards.
Oversee residential staff duties, medication audits, room searches, transportation, and other daily program operations.
Develop and manage the weekly SUD staffing schedule, medication call schedule, residential testing schedule, and program group curriculum with support from the Co-Lead SUD Counselor and Program Manager.
Arrange coverage for staff call-outs, vacations, or holiday leave.
Provide addiction recovery counseling, case management, and SUD assessments for an assigned caseload of 2–3 residents, and maintain current residential problem lists.
Conduct weekly Treatment Team meetings and Leadership Groups to support resident progress, accountability, and recovery.
Communicate in a timely, effective, and professional manner with the multidisciplinary team to support coordinated resident care and program integrity.
Address and resolve resident and staff concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and behavioral issues; escalate safety or clinical concerns to the Program Manager as needed.
Participate in on-call crisis management.
Process and review UA results, report findings, process results for files, and maintain UA supplies.
Coordinate approved off-site activities, including at least one structured house activity per quarter, and manage resident outside meeting schedules and transportation with approved drivers.
Review and approve weekly payroll for direct reports.
Support county and state audits, inspections, and compliance reviews, and ensure program practices and documentation meet applicable requirements.
Train, coach, and mentor staff on policies, procedures, clinical practices, and program expectations, and support onboarding of new SUD staff.
Maintain client confidentiality and Protected Health Information in compliance with HIPAA, applicable laws, and organizational policies.
Attend required meetings and trainings and perform additional duties necessary to support program operations and agency goals.
Model professional leadership, accountability, ethical conduct, and sound clinical judgment.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager or Program Director, or as necessary to support the program, office, or agency.