Mental Health Counselor – Juvenile

Pay $25.22 / hour

Employment type:

Full-Time

• Req#: 4074224
• Additional Salary Supplement of $159.00 per pay period = $4,134.00 annually.

Mental Health Counselor at the Robert N. Barnes Juvenile Justice facility to address the multiple and complex needs of the youth committed to the facility as well as their families through a multidisciplinary integrated approach that includes implementation of a general rehabilitation strategy and a Mental Health Treatment Program (MHTP).

The MHTP provides psychiatric and counseling assistance to youth who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe mental health problems and/or illnesses, chemical dependency issues, or complex trauma, which allows the general rehabilitation case managers to focus on risk reduction and protective factor enhancement strategies in order to reduce the risk of reoffending. This collaboration allows for holistic and individualized treatment of youth in need of MHTP services.

• The Mental Health Counselor provides a range of direct counseling services to youth who have been adjudicated and committed to the Robert N. Barnes Juvenile Justice facility by the Nueces County Juvenile Court or other Juvenile Courts throughout the region.
• Direct services include conducting group, individual, family, trauma, and crisis counseling, administering and interpreting evaluations of youth at risk and youth in need of suicide assessments.
• Assists in monitoring the agency's multifaceted treatment program and reviews and monitors specialized treatment programs.
• Assists with related in-service training for facility staff and trains group leaders.
• Collaborates with facility administrators, specialized treatment case management or program specialist staff, probation officers, and contracted staff.
• Assists in the supervision of intake, assessment, and treatment, while collaborating with case managers, educational staff, juvenile correctional officers, and probation officers.
• Provide services in the juvenile detention center and probation department under the direction of the Mental Health Services Supervisor.
• Maintains and tracks all the data as it relates to the mental health treatment program and the juvenile probation department for the generation of statistical reports as needed.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Graduated from an accredited college or university with a Master's or Doctoral degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field plus one year of experience working with adolescent offenders in residential or correctional settings and one year of experience providing treatment with youth and their families in the areas of alcohol and/or other drugs, youth with mental health diagnoses, and youth with complex trauma.

Experience in trauma-based counseling approaches with adolescents and their families. Incumbent must be 21 years of age.

Valid Texas Operator’s Driver’s License. Must be licensed in Texas as one of the following: Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Or, must submit proof that the appropriate State of Texas licensing board has accepted application for one of the following licenses:
Licensed Professional Counselor – Inter (LPC-I) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Associate (LMFT-A). An employee hired based on a LPC-I or LMFT-A application must obtain LPC or LMFT within 18 months of hire. Failure to maintain the required certification or license and remain in good standing is grounds for termination of employment. Must obtain and provide proof of Professional Liability Insurance and keep current.

• Knowledge of counseling theories, strategies, and skills including treatment techniques used for behavior modification.
• Knowledge of diagnostic criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM V), and the Texas Education Association for the evaluation of serious emotional disturbance.
• Knowledge of psychological tests and measurements related to working with juvenile offenders.
• Knowledge of juvenile risk assessment, treatment practices and principles, family interventions, and regulatory standards.
• Knowledge of or ability to acquire knowledge of Robert N. Barnes Juvenile Justice Facility and its programs.
• Skill in facilitating individual and group counseling sessions with juvenile offenders including trauma-based approaches.
• Skill in conducting family counseling and family reintegration sessions.
• Skill in interviewing, evaluation, and assessment, and in making appropriate decisions and recommendations regarding treatment options.
• Skill in training and/or teaching others.
• Skill in maintaining accurate records and files.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workloads to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to function as a member of a…