Mental Health Counselor – Juvenile; TJJD- State Aid J2906

Base Pay: $28.86 Hourly.

SUMMARY:

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include the following:
Other duties may be assigned.

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, 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 generating of statistical reports as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Any employee who drives a vehicle on official business must have a driving record which meets standards set by the County and the County’s insurance carrier.

EDUCATION and/or

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum requirements:

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) or LCDC-I attending a Master's degree program in counseling, social work, psychology or a related field with one year of graduation; or attending a Master's degree program in counseling, social work, psychology or a related field and be within six months (last semester of course work) or graduating. Incumbent must be 21 years of age.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

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 multidisciplinary treatment team.

Ability to provide services to youth in a correctional…