Substance Use Counselor - Kennebunk High School and Middle School of the Kennebunks

Substance Use Counselor – RSU 21 (Kennebunk High School & Middle School of the Kennebunks)

About the Position

RSU 21 is seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable, and student-centered Substance Use Counselor to serve both Kennebunk High School and the Middle School of the Kennebunks. This shared position focuses on prevention, intervention, and support for students experiencing or at risk of substance use. The successful candidate will collaborate with school counselors, social workers, administrators, families, and community partners to promote healthy choices and overall student well-being.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling to students affected by or at risk for substance use.
• Deliver prevention education and awareness programs to students, staff, and families.
• Support early identification and intervention initiatives across both schools.
• Collaborate with school-based mental health and student support teams.
• Serve as a liaison to local community resources, treatment providers, and prevention coalitions.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, 42 CFR, and district policies.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and remain informed on best practices in adolescent substance use prevention and intervention.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Valid Maine LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor) certification required.
• Experience working with adolescents in school or clinical settings.
• Knowledge of adolescent development, trauma-informed care, and substance use trends.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and crisis intervention skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a school-based setting.
• Training in Motivational Interviewing, SBIRT, or similar intervention models.
• Bilingual or multicultural competence is a plus.
• Knowledge of local community substance abuse and mental health resources.

Work Schedule & Compensation

• Full-time school-year position.
• Competitive salary and benefits as per the RSU 21 negotiated agreement.
• Position will be split between the two schools with scheduling flexibility.

Additional Information

Reasonable Accommodations: RSU 21 will provide accommodations to an individual with a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or applicable law, who has made the district aware of their disability, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship to the district.

Terms of Employment: Salary and work year to be established by the Board and reflected in the contract.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board of School Directors' policy on Evaluation of Certified Staff Members (GCOA).