How to hire an area counselor

How to hire an area counselor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step area counselor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an area counselor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new area counselor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post an area counselor job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The area counselor hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect area counselor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of area counselors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Area Counselor	Description	Hourly rate
   Area Counselor	Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes.	$14-41
   Lawyer	A lawyer is a legal practitioner who specializes in understanding and interpreting laws and other legal matters. Their responsibilities revolve around providing legal counseling and advice, representing clients in different kinds of court proceedings, conducting research, collecting evidence, and coordinating with various experts... Show more	$30-100
   Legal Extern	Legal externs are law students who took the opportunity to do on-the-job training at a law firm. Instead of monetary compensation, they receive academic credits... Show more	$11-44

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Legal Advice
   • Litigation
   • Legal Services
   • Criminal Defense

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage employment and commercial litigation.
   • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
   • Attend corporate leadership and management courses.
   • Prepare and review requests for litigation and settlements.
   • Supervise international business litigation and arbitration.
   • Supervise international business litigation and arbitration.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your area counselor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An area counselor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, area counselors' average salary in missouri is 61% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level area counselors earn 65% less than senior-level area counselors.
   • Certifications. An area counselor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an area counselor's salary.

   Average area counselor salary

   $51,394yearly

   $24.71 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level area counselor salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 18, 2026

4. Writing an area counselor job description

   An area counselor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an area counselor job description:

   Area counselor job description example

   Under the clinical supervision of the designated site Clinical Supervisor, the Therapist/Counselors are responsible for the programs and services provided to the program participants served by Mirror. Therapist/Counselors shall operate in accordance with the policies and procedures determined by the Board of Directors and as implemented by their supervisor(s) and all parties shall abide by all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Therapist/Counselors will need to specifically abide by the Kansas Department of Aging & Disability Services, Community Services & Programs Division standards (standards for licensure/certification of alcohol & other drug abuse treatment programs). The duties of this position include curricula development and implementation, psychoeducational presentations, individual counseling, group counseling, case management activities and all related paperwork demands.
   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   + Maintain communication with referral sources.
   
   + Dialogue with local referral sources to keep them apprised of their client's performance in treatment when requested.
   
   + Create the curricula and design the treatment plans for the clients.
   
   + Provide group/individual/family counseling for clients in both residential and outpatient treatment settings.
   
   + Provide individual counseling for clients and assist in the identification and resolution of problems, behaviors, or cognition which prevent or interfere with clients reaching of their treatment goals or positive outcomes.
   
   + Maintain treatment related paperwork such as treatment plans, evaluations, discharge summaries, CIF forms, program evaluation forms, within our electronic client record, etc.
   
   + Complete all paperwork and record-keeping on a timely (daily) basis to support complete and accurate billing for services rendered.
   
   + Must attend and participate in required staff meetings and supervision meetings.
   
   + Assist immediate supervisors with coverage related issues when necessary.
   
   + Provide psychoeducational groups and learning experiences geared to meet the client's level of understanding. These should be focused on addiction related topics, stress management, nutrition, ADIS, (ways to change) criminal thinking, etc.
   
   + Assist in the collection of client fees (as necessary for the assigned program) as it directly impacts the relationship between the client and Mirror Inc.
   
   + Perform other job responsibilities as assigned by their immediate supervisors.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   
   QUALIFICATIONS:
   
   + Graduate of a four-year accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, substance abuse counseling or a closely related field is required. Master's degree matching one of those professions is preferred.
   
   + Licensed in the State of Kansas at the master's level to provide psychotherapy services OR be a Licensed Addictions Counselor in the State of Kansas.
   
   + Certified to deliver SB 123 services and assessments desirable.
   
   + Excellent interpersonal skills required as well as ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
   
   + Capable of maintaining a team spirit. Ability to work cooperatively with others.
   
   + Must be adaptable to change and have effective organizational skills.
   
   + Must be able to organize and follow through on multiple tasks.
   
   + Display consistent, good judgement and decision-making skills.
   
   + Knowledge in the disease of addiction and the various modes of treatment.
   
   + Experience working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system and individuals with personality disorders is preferred.
   
   + Experience providing telehealth services is preferred.
   
   + The ability to ensure consistent internet connectivity and privacy to provide quality services as required by HIPAA and 42-CFR Part 2 when providing telehealth.
   
   + Ability to establish and maintain rapport with resistive, chemically dependent clients.
   
   + Must be able to pass security check.
   
   + Employees who have been diagnosed with any type of substance use disorder or behavioral addiction/compulsion must have sustained a minimum of two consecutive years of abstinence from all intoxicating substances and symptoms of their chemical and/or behavioral addiction; and must be in full sustained remission.
   
   + Must have proficient computer skills or experience, and skills working with an Electronic Health Record.
   
   + Since the science of addiction is rapidly evolving, counseling staff must have a through working knowledge of the disease of addiction and the various modes of treatment. Must be able to adapt to and implement changing treatment models and techniques.
   
   + This position may also involve bending, walking, stairs, and lifting up to 40 pounds on occasion.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find area counselors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any area counselors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level area counselors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your area counselor job on Zippia to find and recruit area counselor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit area counselors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new area counselor

   Once you've selected the best area counselor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new area counselor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire an area counselor?