Counselor II (Adult Probation)

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 69,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) seeks a Counselor II in Houston to provide individual and group counseling, complete intake assessments, and coordinate with supervision officers to align treatment and supervision goals. The role emphasizes timely documentation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications include a Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work, licensure (LPC/LCSW/LMFT) at start, and TRAS certification within two attempts.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in psychology, counseling, or social work.
• Licensure at start of employment as LPC, LCSW, or LMFT.
• Must become TRAS certified within two attempts.

Responsibilities

• Conducts individual and group counseling sessions with Clients.
• Completes intake assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Coordinates with Community Supervision Officers to align treatment with supervision goals.
• Maintains timely documentation and complies with CJAD standards.
• Travel to court or other locations as needed.

Skills

TRAS certification

CJIS access

Communication skills

Education

Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling or Social Work

Job description

About The Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD):

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.

Position Overview:

The successful Counselor II is passionate about helping justice involved individuals be a success on community supervision and beyond. The Counselor II provides treatment interventions to Clients with varied backgrounds, supervision and intervention needs, and assists Clients to address their substance use issues and develop healthy coping strategies. In this role, the Counselor II will provide individual and group treatment sessions, as well as completion of intake assessments, treatment planning, progress reports and discharge summaries, tailoring these interventions to meet individualized needs. The Counselor II will also routinely collaborate with community supervision officers to ensure treatment planning is aligned with community supervision requirements and treatment goals. The Counselor II will also complete concise and timely documentation of all clinically related duties and work with interdisciplinary team to ensure client needs are addressed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts individual and group counseling sessions with Clients.
• Completes Client intake assessments as well as individualized treatment planning, progress reports, and discharge planning.
• Provides services to Clients with diverse criminal backgrounds.
• Communicates key information and regularly collaborates with Community Supervision Officers.
• Tracks compliance with drug and alcohol testing.
• Ensures accurate and timely entries in the electronic case management systems.
• Review work and reports as required.
• Monitors and adheres to deadlines to ensure completeness, accuracy and compliance with policy, grant standards, funding and licensure requirements, special conditions of community supervision, and Community Justice Assistance Division (CJAD) general and substance abuse standards.
• Maintains professional and effective communication, including email correspondence, with judges, attorneys, prosecutors, court personnel, law enforcement officials, CSCD personnel, and community members.
• Maintains membership and active participation in professional mental health organizations.
• Participates in clinical and interdisciplinary staffing.
• Participates in team, unit and departmental meetings.
• Travel to Court, other HCCSCD locations or off-site locations for meetings, training, group coverage, etc. is required as needed.
• Testify in a court setting.
• Operates office equipment, computers, phones, telecommunication devices and other necessary required tools.
• Works collaboratively with other personnel.
• Fosters 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:

• Please 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.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail]

Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in a Psychological, Counseling or Social Work field.
• Competency in clinical disorders, differential diagnosis, current treatment methods, and in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5-TR is required.

Licensure:

• At minimum possess licensure at the start of employment as an:
  • Licensed Professional Counselor
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Must have a valid Texas Class C Automobile Operator’s License or Texas Identification Card.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must become Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) certified and maintain certification within the first two attempts. Failure to pass the certification may result in termination of employment.
• Meet the minimum requirements for access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) information.

NOTE:

Applications must include ALL past employment. Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but only information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

• Work experience and/or clinical training in correctional/forensic settings is preferred.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time
• Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting, although there is an opportunity to work remotely on designated days after the introductory period and employee is in good standing.
• Continuing Education opportunities and license renewal fees stipend are provided.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with co-workers and clients, as well as visually observe clients during individual and group settings for assessment and treatment purposes.

Salary Monthly:

• $6,138.23 (Monthly) - $7,120.19 (Monthly)
• Commensurate with Experience
• Based on 26 pay periods

Organizational Relationships:

• Reports To Counseling Supervisor

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.