New

Habilitation Counselor

Rutgers University

life insurance, employee discount

United States, New Jersey, Piscataway

Jan 28, 2026

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Habilitation Counselor
Job Category	Staff & Executive - Healthcare
Department	UBHC - NJ4S Program
Overview	Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care ( UBHC), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC's 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC, one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.
Posting Summary	Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Habilitation Counselor in the Child & Adolescent Services of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. Participates as a member of a team in developing and maintaining a comprehensive referral process for children and families. Demonstrates competency in recognizing the needs and behaviors of patients (age 5 - 18 years). Among the key duties of this position are the following: Participates in and/or co-leads therapeutic groups and activities and functions as an active member of the School Base Team. Recognizes the unique needs and behaviors of the children (age 5 - 18 years). Spends appropriate or designated percentage of time in direct service with school personnel, families and/or children as designated by supervisor as indicated by monthly log. Works directly with school administrator and staff to build capacity on the Responsive Referral Process under the direction of the supervisor. Engages with students and families via school and home visitation and follow-up as necessary to develop effective assessments and referrals to community-based agencies to meet the needs of the families as designed by the supervisor.
FLSA	Exempt
Grade	19S
Salary Details
Minimum Salary	54196.000
Mid Range Salary	64635.000
Maximum Salary	76450.000
Offer Information	The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
Benefits	Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include: Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable) Life insurance coverage Employee discount programs
Position Status	Full Time
Working Hours
Standard Hours	37.50
Daily Work Shift
Work Arrangement
Union Description	HPAE 5094
Payroll Designation	PeopleSoft
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment	Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility	ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Bachelor's Degree in the mental health field plus one (1) year of related experience working directly with children and their families and the agencies that serve them.
Certifications/Licenses	Applicants possessing a degree in Social Work must have an active New Jersey certification/licensure as required by the State Board of Social Work. Valid driver's license is required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	Ability to work with clients and staff both individually and in groups. Must be available to work one evening per month, to fit within their work hours, as required for parent programming.
Preferred Qualifications	Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) preferred.
Equipment Utilized
Physical Demands and Work Environment	PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Occasional time spent traveling to community settings for outreaches. Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 pounds). Frequently walks, bends, stretches, pushes and pulls. Manual dexterity and mobility for charting. Lifts supplies, equipment and charts. Sitting while interviewing clients; may sit up to several hours in one place. Working with seriously mentally ill adults. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Varied work settings include office and community setting. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. May be exposed to clients exhibiting assaultive or aggressive behaviors. Generally pleasant working conditions in a clean, well-lighted, and quiet to moderately loud setting.
Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number	26ST0156
Posting Open Date
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus	Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)
Home Location Campus	Piscataway (RBHS)
City	Piscataway
State	NJ
Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement