Licensed & Entry Level) - Wrightsville, GA

Gateway Foundation Inc•Wrightsville, GA

80d•Onsite

About The Position

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, the organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards. This position is based inside a medium-security correctional facility and requires compliance with DOC security procedures, including controlled entry, officer supervision, and adherence to safety protocols. The Substance Abuse Counselor I plays a key role in delivering structured, evidence-based treatment services to justice-involved individuals within the RSAT program. This position provides individual and group counseling using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed approaches. Counselors maintain a caseload of up to 25 clients and work collaboratively with clinical supervisors and program leadership to support ethical practice, treatment engagement, and positive client outcomes. This role is ideal for professionals seeking meaningful work in a mission-driven environment, along with structured support toward certification and career advancement. Substance use treatment in correctional settings can be life-changing. As a counselor in the RSAT program, your work directly supports recovery, reduces recidivism, and helps individuals develop the tools needed for long-term stability. Every group facilitated and every session conducted contributes to safer communities and stronger futures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a human services–related field (required)
Strong desire to work with justice-involved individuals in a structured treatment setting
Ability to work collaboratively within a team-focused clinical environment
Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with clients
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data
Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience in substance use treatment
CADCII certification preferred or eligibility to obtain certification within 18 months

Responsibilities

Facilitate individual and group counseling sessions using CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed practices
Maintain clinical documentation and treatment planning in accordance with program and DOC standards
Manage a caseload of up to 25 clients (may exceed on occasion based on program needs)
Collaborate with clinical supervisors and multidisciplinary team members
Participate in ongoing training, supervision, and professional development
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and adhere to contracted scope of work within a correctional environment

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
9 paid company holidays
Work-life-balance
Training & Development Programs
Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training
Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance
Company-paid 5-day Georgia Department of Corrections Pre-Service Orientation within the first 30 days (meals provided)
Training includes GDC policies, CPR, PREA, safety protocols, and correctional environment preparation
Additional Gateway-led onboarding and training for approximately 30 days before assuming a caseload or facilitating groups independently
Support toward CADCII certification within two years
Clear career pathways to Counselor II, Certified Clinical Supervisor, and Program Director roles
Regular team-building activities and accessible leadership