How to hire a counselor supervisor

How to hire a counselor supervisor, step by step

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

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the counselor supervisor you need to hire. Certain counselor supervisor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A counselor supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, counselor supervisors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of counselor supervisors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Counselor Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Counselor Supervisor	Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists help people manage and overcome mental and emotional disorders and problems with family and other relationships. They listen to clients and ask questions to help the clients understand their problems and develop strategies to improve their lives.	$14-28
   Community Health Counselor	A community health counselor typically provides health and welfare support to the disadvantaged members of a community. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to reach out to community members, coordinating with schools and other institutions, and building positive relationships with the communities that they serve... Show more	$13-30
   Student Support Counselor	A student support counselor is responsible for identifying the students' strengths and challenges through one-on-one counseling and establishing solutions to help them overcome difficulties and achieve their educational goals and aspirations. Student support counselors assist the faculty in determining appropriate programs and activities to develop the students' capabilities, especially as a way of preparing them with their career objectives... Show more	$13-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Substance Abuse
   • Mental Health
   • Social Work
   • Crisis Intervention
   • Clinical Supervision
   • Group Sessions
   • Individual Sessions
   • Direct Supervision
   • State Regulations
   • Group Therapy
   • Behavioral Issues
   • Direct Care
   • Treatment Programs

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
   • Provide behavior modification and social skills training to children and adolescents with ADHD and other behavioral and emotional disorders.

   More counselor supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your counselor supervisor job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A counselor supervisor salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a counselor supervisor in Mississippi may be lower than in Maryland, and an entry-level counselor supervisor usually earns less than a senior-level counselor supervisor. Additionally, a counselor supervisor with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average counselor supervisor salary

   $43,676yearly

   $21.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level counselor supervisor salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

   Average counselor supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$52,326	$25
   2	District of Columbia	$50,039	$24
   3	New York	$49,860	$24
   4	Arizona	$48,906	$24
   5	California	$44,612	$21
   6	Ohio	$44,504	$21
   7	Illinois	$44,465	$21
   8	West Virginia	$43,761	$21
   9	Kansas	$42,858	$21
   10	Massachusetts	$42,307	$20
   11	Connecticut	$41,023	$20
   12	Georgia	$33,235	$16
   13	Texas	$32,827	$16
   14	Florida	$28,916	$14

   Average counselor supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital	$61,432	$29.53	4
   2	University at Buffalo	$45,863	$22.05	7
   3	Metropolitan	$44,473	$21.38
   4	The Cove School	$43,407	$20.87
   5	Eagleville Hospital	$43,055	$20.70	8
   6	Westcare Health Corporation	$42,034	$20.21
   7	BayMark Health Services	$42,034	$20.21	2
   8	Maryhaven, Inc.	$41,198	$19.81	3
   9	Atrium Health Floyd	$39,017	$18.76	32
   10	OhioGuidestone	$38,251	$18.39	20
   11	Cove Behavioral Health	$36,105	$17.36
   12	Devereux Arizona	$34,278	$16.48	77
   13	At Home Healthcare	$31,001	$14.90

4. Writing a counselor supervisor job description

   A counselor supervisor 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 a counselor supervisor job description:

   Counselor supervisor job description example

   • 11-15 employees.
   • Directly supervises staff within the Youth Services program. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Agency's policies and any applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training new employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

   Education and Experience:

   • Undergraduate / Masters degree with minimum of 2 years of experience in a similar role (required).
   • License LMHC, LCSW or LMFT or CAP, CAPP, CCJAP required.
   • Must be able to pass background and drug screen prior to start date.

   Benefits: • 403(b) with company match • Medical, Dental and Vision Eligibility 1st of month after 30 days • Employer Paid Short Term Disability • Paid time off • Life insurance • Up to 10 paid holidays • Pet insurance • Assistance with certification and licensure.

   Cove Behavioral Health is a nonprofit organization with over 48 years of providing behavioral health treatment services to the greater Tampa Bay area. COVE will offer you opportunities that you wouldn't have with other organizations, once you become one of our team mates. Cove Behavioral Health is a HRSA approved site and you may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. We also offer free Clinical Supervision, Tuition Reimbursement, CEU's, and many other ways to show appreciation to our teammates! COVE is a full-service provider of SA services. We are Nationally Accredited and have won numerous national and state awards for premier services. We serve all ages and take all insurances. We have board certified MD's that will provide a consultation of what an individual plan might look like when people don't know what to do, much like other Doctor consultations. We have a private adult detox and are known for our specialties in pregnant women and women's services, Opiate Addiction treatment, residential treatment and community prevention as Centers of Excellence.

   At Cove Behavioral health we value diversity and inclusion. Cove Behavioral Health provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, in accordance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Employment decisions at Cove will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Cove does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any characteristic protected by law. Cove will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Cove is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug & Tobacco Free Facility.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right counselor supervisor for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with counselor supervisors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit counselor supervisors who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit counselor supervisors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 counselor supervisor

   Once you've selected the best counselor supervisor 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new counselor supervisor. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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.)

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