Outpatient Addictions Counselor - Contract Position (56083)

## Help youth discover hope beyond substance use.

**YSS** is looking for a empathetic, insightful, and skilled **Independent Contractors** to serve as **Outpatient Addictions Counselors,** helping us make a lasting difference in the lives of young people facing substance use disorders.

In this position you will play a vital role in supporting youth navigating substance use challenges by providing assessments for chemical dependency and delivering both individual and group counseling in a safe, respectful, and empowering environment.

**What You'll Do...**

• **Lead Individual and Group Counseling Sessions:** Facilitate engaging and therapeutic sessions that offer clients the space to explore challenges, celebrate progress, and provide feedback on the program.
• **Empower Client Autonomy:** Support each client's right to make their own choices and respectfully help them navigate the natural consequences and reactions to those decisions.
• **Develop and Implement Treatment Plans:** Collaborate with clients to create personalized treatment plans, and take an active role in putting those plans into action.
• **Provide Crisis Intervention:** Respond effectively and compassionately to clients experiencing crisis, ensuring safety and emotional support.
• **Conduct Educational Programming:** Facilitate Substance Abuse Awareness Groups to promote understanding and informed decision-making around substance use and recovery.

*This is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.*

**Who You Are...**

You believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and **build a healthier future**. You combine clinical expertise with empathy, meeting youth where they are while **challenging and encouraging** them to move forward. Whether you're conducting assessments, leading counseling sessions, or supporting someone through a difficult moment, **you build trust through respect**, compassion, and consistency.

## What We're Looking For...

We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask for the following

**MUST HAVES - Required Qualifications:**

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field.
• At least two (2) years of experience providing individual, group, and family therapy.
• Current Iowa Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (tCADC, CADC, or IADC).
• Formal training in the field of substance use disorders.
• Contractor must maintain professional liability insurance.
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver's license.

**The IDEAL Candidate Will:**

• Be mission-driven, with a commitment to equity, inclusion, and positive social impact.
• Consistently approach their work with humility, respect, and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Demonstrate reliability and independence, managing responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Speak a second language (especially one spoken in our communities).

**We Celebrate Your Story...**

Have you **navigated recovery** from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability? Your lived experience offers a unique, compassionate perspective that can **inspire real change**. By sharing your story and serving as a role model or mentor, you can **make a meaningful impact** in the lives of youth and families. **Your journey matters**. If you’re ready to use it to **uplift and empower others**, we warmly encourage you to apply.

**Who We Are...**

We’re **YSS**—one of Iowa’s largest and longest-standing nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission is simple but powerful: spark hope, create opportunity, and help young people thrive.

• From life-changing programs to a new 50-acre recovery campus, we’re expanding fast and thinking big. Learn more at [<yss.org>](https://yss.org/).
• We value the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences each team member brings. As an **Equal Opportunity Employer**, we’re committed to building a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where everyone can grow and succeed.
• **YSS** is a nicotine-free workplace.

**Stay Connected...**

We communicate with applicants via **email** - straight from our Paycom system address: **[email hidden]**. Please check your inbox regularly (and your spam/junk folder just in case). If the message does end up in spam/junk, make sure to add **[email hidden]** to your list of safe senders. We may also send you **texts** if you give us that permission when you apply. Questions? Reach us anytime at [[email hidden]](http://[email hidden])

**Our Hiring Process - Here’s What to Expect...**

• **Apply** – Submit your application at <yss.org/ysscareers>
• **Assessment** – We review your skills and experience
• **Interview** – Phone, video, or in-person conversation
• **References** – We’ll connect with 3+ professional references
• **Screening** – Background check, driving record check, and license verification if required
• **Offer** – If it’s a match, you’ll receive a formal offer through Paycom