Drug Court Counselor , Grant-Funded, County Judge

The Drug Court Counselor I is under the direction and supervision of the Drug Court Director. The primary responsibilities of this position are to provide individual, family therapy, and group counseling, to eligible Drug Court clients.

Responsibilities include:

• Provides mental health and drug and alcohol abuse treatment services to all Drug Court Program (DCP) participants through screening; assessment; community-based counseling; group therapy; brief interventions; relapse prevention; outpatient treatment; and community-based individual and group therapy.

• Conducts all intakes, follow-ups, and discharge reports through the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) toll as per Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) requirements and enters information in SPARS (SAMHSA’s Performance Accountability and Reporting System) within 72 hours.
• Conducts comprehensive screening and assessment of each individual based on Grant Protocols, but also the protocols of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
• Develops individualized treatment plans for all program participants based on the assessment within a week of admission.
• Provides outpatient treatment services by utilizing evidence-based models as indicated by the Funding Source in an outpatient group and individual treatment setting for all eligible program participants.
• Utilizes Drug Court Case Management Computer Service and Accucare (Orion) Services to document treatment attendance, assessments, goals, and objectives.
• Enters GPRA intakes, 6-month follow-ups, and discharges on the CAST SAIS also known as SPARs website as required by the grantor.
• Keeps track and follows-up on all pending GPRA intakes, follow-ups, and discharges to meet grant requirements.
• Refers program participants to appropriate healthcare providers as needed.
• Collaborates with all treatment counselors providing OPT services to active participants of the program.
• Coordinates and follows-up treatment services for clients attending different agencies within the community.
• Monitors client weekly attendance and progress by keeping contact with the different agencies.
• Provides Crisis Intervention for clients.
• Participates in all mandated DCP trainings, continuing education courses, presentations, and/or conferences as required by the grantor.
• Contributes in a non-adversarial manner at status hearings, thus promoting a unified Drug Court team presence.
• Be present at all weekly staffing and drug court sessions as scheduled.
• Refers all program participants for comprehensive HIV/AIDS/STD/Hepatitis C prevention, education, and Care and Treatment Review (CTR) Services.
• Provides service coordination to residential services for DCP participants.
• Ensures the smooth flow of all client treatment activity in the program.
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the Drug Court Director.

• Knowledge of personal computers and word processing.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Access, e-mail, data-entry software, and other office-related computer software.
• Knowledge of proper telephone and office etiquette.
• Skill in the operation of various office machines, such as fax machines, calculators, copiers, computer printers, and scanners.
• Skill in communicating with a culturally diverse population.
• Ability to develop, prepare, and maintain accurate records and files.
• Proficient in composing letters, memos, and other documents based on written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to create and prepare written statistical reports.
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with Drug Court personnel and the public.
• Ability to handle with confidential information responsibly.
• Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.

• Must have a Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or any other related field from an accredited university,
• Must possess a valid and current license from the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council in either of the…