Drug and Alcohol Counseling Instructor

HealthStaff Training Institute is expanding its Drug & Alcohol Counseling program and is seeking an additional instructor to join our existing instructional and student-support team.This is an in-person position based primarily at HSTi’s Ontario campus. Because most of our Drug & Alcohol Counseling students complete their coursework online, this role combines instruction, academic support, student mentoring, externship coordination, and certification-exam preparation.The instructor will work collaboratively with our existing faculty, Career Services team, and administrative staff to support students from initial onboarding through graduation. The instructor will also remain available to help graduates prepare for applicable CCAPP, CADTP, or IC&RC certification examinations.Periodic travel to HSTi’s Santa Ana, Temecula, and upcoming West Covina campuses will be required. Travel may vary from approximately once a week to once every two weeks, depending on campus and student needs. Mileage reimbursement will be provided for approved business travel.Key ResponsibilitiesJoin and collaborate with HSTi’s existing Drug & Alcohol Counseling instructional team.Conduct onboarding and program orientation for new students.Explain academic requirements, externship expectations, program milestones, and professional certification pathways.Teach Drug & Alcohol Counseling and Substance Use Disorder–related subjects in a practical, engaging, and beginner-friendly manner.Provide individual and group academic assistance to online and in-person students.Maintain regular contact with students through phone, email, video meetings, the learning management system, and in-person appointments.Monitor student attendance, academic progress, participation, assignment completion, and overall engagement.Identify students who are falling behind and work with the instructional team to develop student-success plans.Provide encouragement, accountability, and individualized guidance throughout the program.Assist students in understanding CCAPP and CADTP registration, education, experience, and certification requirements.Help students prepare for applicable CCAPP, CADTP, or IC&RC certification examinations.Conduct exam-review sessions and provide study plans, practice activities, and certification-preparation resources.Assist students with externship readiness, including professional conduct, documentation, placement expectations, and required hours.Collaborate with Career Services to help identify appropriate Drug & Alcohol Counseling externship opportunities.Communicate with externship sites and monitor students’ attendance, performance, documentation, and progress.Review externship timesheets, evaluations, and other required records.Help resolve student or externship-site concerns professionally and promptly.Maintain accurate student notes, progress records, communication logs, and academic documentation.Continue supporting graduates who need guidance with certification applications, examination preparation, or entry into the SUD counseling profession.Participate in staff meetings, student workshops, graduation activities, and program-development initiatives.Travel periodically to HSTi’s Santa Ana, Temecula, and future West Covina campuses.Maintain current knowledge of California SUD counseling practices, ethics, confidentiality requirements, professional boundaries, and certification standards.Perform other program-related responsibilities as assigned.Required QualificationsCurrent California-recognized Substance Use Disorder counselor certification at Level II or higher, such as:CCAPP CADC-II — Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor II;CADTP SUDCC II — Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor II; orA higher or equivalent California-recognized credential.At least two years of professional experience in substance use disorder counseling, addiction treatment, recovery services, behavioral health, or a closely related field.Practical knowledge of the CCAPP and/or CADTP registration and certification process.Knowledge of SUD counseling ethics, confidentiality, professional boundaries, documentation, and scope of practice.Strong computer and technology skills, including:Microsoft Office;Email and online communication;Video-conferencing platforms;Learning management systems;Electronic documentation and recordkeeping; andWeb-based student-support platforms.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Ability to explain complex concepts in clear, student-friendly language.Excellent organization, documentation, follow-up, and time-management skills.Ability to work collaboratively as part of an established instructional and student-support team.Ability to support students from diverse educational, professional, and personal backgrounds.Reliable transportation and willingness to travel between HSTi campuses as needed.Valid California driver’s license and automobile insurance.Education PreferredA bachelor’s or master’s degree is preferred in one of the following areas:Addiction Studies;Behavioral Science;Counseling;Psychology;Social Work;Human Services;Sociology;Mental Health or Behavioral Health; orAnother closely related field.Relevant professional certification, industry experience, teaching ability, and student-support experience will also be carefully considered.Preferred ExperiencePrevious teaching, training, coaching, or classroom facilitation experience.Experience teaching at a vocational school, college, adult-education institution, or workforce-development organization.Experience supporting online or hybrid students.Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating SUD counseling interns or externs.Experience preparing candidates for CCAPP, CADTP, or IC&RC certification examinations.Clinical supervision credential or relevant supervisory experience.Experience using Moodle or another learning management system.Experience working with WIOA, Workers’ Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, or publicly funded students.Established professional relationships within the Southern California SUD treatment and recovery community.Ideal CandidateThe ideal candidate is not only an experienced Drug & Alcohol Counseling professional but also a committed educator and mentor.We are looking for someone who enjoys working collaboratively with other instructors and staff members and who takes pride in helping students progress from enrollment through graduation, externship, certification, and employment.The successful candidate will be compassionate but accountable, comfortable with technology, highly organized, responsive to student needs, and able to build professional relationships with students, graduates, coworkers, externship partners, and members of the substance use disorder treatment community.Why Join HSTi?Join an established and growing Drug & Alcohol Counseling instructional team.Help strengthen and expand an important behavioral-health training program.Make a meaningful difference in the lives and careers of future SUD counselors.Build long-term relationships with students from onboarding through professional certification.Work with students and professionals across multiple Southern California communities.Receive mileage reimbursement for approved travel.Health insurance401(k)Paid time offApplication InstructionsPlease submit your résumé and include the following information:Your current CCAPP, CADTP, or other California-recognized SUD counselor credential.Your credential level, credential number, and expiration date.Your years of SUD counseling or behavioral-health industry experience.Any previous teaching, training, mentoring, or student-support experience.Your availability and preferred work schedule.Confirmation that you can travel periodically to Ontario, Santa Ana, Temecula, and West Covina.HealthStaff Training Institute is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, demonstrated abilities, and organizational needs.