Counselor (Adult Probation)

Harris County Community Supervision; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) seeks a Counselor I to provide treatment interventions for justice‑involved individuals under community supervision. You will conduct individual and group sessions, complete intake assessments, and develop treatment plans tailored to diverse client needs, coordinating with supervision officers to meet program goals.

The role requires a Master’s degree in a relevant field and Texas licensure at the start, with supervision

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work.
• Active Texas license as LPC-Associate, LMSW, or LMFT-Associate at start of employment; clinical supervision provided as needed.
• Certification on the Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) within the first two attempts.
• Meet minimum requirements for CJIS access.
• Valid Texas Class C license or Texas ID.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual and group counseling sessions with clients.
• Complete client intake assessments and individualized treatment planning, progress reports, and discharge planning.
• Provide services to clients with diverse criminal backgrounds.
• Collaborate with Community Supervision Officers to align treatment with supervision goals.
• Track compliance with drug and alcohol testing and document in electronic case management systems.
• Attend clinical and interdisciplinary staffing and meetings.
• Travel to court or other CSCD locations as needed.
• Testify in court when required.

Skills

Counseling

Interpersonal communication

Documentation

Education

Master’s degree in psychology/counseling/social work

Active Texas LPC-Associate/LMSW/LMFT-Associate license

CJIS access requirements

Job description

Overview

The Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) is one of the largest probation departments in the United States, supervising more than 70,000 individuals and employing over 600 staff members across 6 locations. We provide a wide range of services including community supervision, outpatient counseling, cognitive‑behavioral programming, and residential treatment, designed to strengthen our clients’ abilities and support their long‑term success. With a focus on utilizing evidence‑based practices, we aim to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism for all clients under supervision.

Basic Function

The successful Counselor I is passionate about helping justice‑involved individuals succeed on community supervision and beyond. The Counselor I provides treatment interventions to clients with varied backgrounds and supervision and intervention needs, and assists clients to address their substance use issues and develop healthy coping strategies.

The role includes individual and group treatment sessions, completion of intake assessments, treatment planning, progress reports, and discharge summaries, tailoring these interventions to meet individualized needs. The Counselor I collaborates routinely with community supervision officers to align treatment planning with supervision requirements and goals. All clinically related duties are documented concisely and timely, working with an interdisciplinary team to ensure client needs are addressed.

Organizational Relationships

Reports to the Counseling Supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Conduct individual and group counseling sessions with clients.
• Complete client intake assessments and individualized treatment planning, progress reports, and discharge planning.
• Provide services to clients with diverse criminal backgrounds.
• Communicate key information and regularly collaborate with Community Supervision Officers.
• Track compliance with drug and alcohol testing.
• Ensure accurate and timely entries in the electronic case management systems.
• Review work and reports as required.
• Monitor and adhere to deadlines to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with policy, grant standards, funding and licensure requirements, special conditions of community supervision, and CJAD general and substance abuse standards.
• Maintain professional and effective communication, including email correspondence, with judges, attorneys, prosecutors, court personnel, law enforcement officials, CSCD personnel, victims, and community members.
• Participate in clinical and interdisciplinary staffing.
• Participate in team, unit, and departmental meetings.
• Travel to court, other HCCSCD locations, or off‑site locations for meetings, training, and group coverage as needed.
• Testify in a court setting.

Nonessential Functions

• Work collaboratively with other personnel.
• Provide group and individual instruction to clients, while visually and audibly observing clients in both settings.
• Foster a positive work environment by communicating and behaving cooperatively, respectfully, and amicably with supervisors, co‑workers, and the public.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Work overtime as required.

Other Duties

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

The employee regularly works in an office setting, with an opportunity to work remotely on designated days after the introductory period, provided the employee is in good standing. Continuing education opportunities and license renewal fees may be provided.

Physical Demands

Regular communication with co‑workers and clients and visual observation of clients during individual and group settings for assessment and treatment purposes.

Qualifications

Education and Licensure

• Master’s degree in a psychological, counseling, or social work field.
• Active Texas license as an LPC‑Associate, LMSW, or LMFT‑Associate at the start of employment. Clinical supervision is provided as needed; if provided, the applicant is required to remain in the position for the equivalent time.
• Certification on the Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) within the first two attempts and maintain certification. Failure to pass may result in termination.
• Meet minimum requirements for access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).
• Valid Texas Class C automobile operator’s license or Texas Identification Card.

Experience

• Competency in clinical disorders, differential diagnosis, current treatment methods, and DSM‑5‑TR.
• Work experience and/or clinical training in correctional/forensic settings preferred.
• Demonstrated conscientiousness, openness to learning, flexibility/adaptability to change, and the ability to thrive within a dynamic workplace.

FLSA Status

Non‑Exempt.

Work Schedule

• Five days per week.
• Hours: 6:30 AM–9:00 PM Monday–Thursday and 6:30 AM–5:00 PM Fridays.
• Flexibility in work schedule/work location required and determined by program needs.