Counselor-OSAR

North Texas Behavioral Health Authority; Waxahachie (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

457(b)

Paid time off

Health, Dental and Vision insurance

Health savings account

Flexible spending account

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) is seeking an OSAR Counselor to support adults and youth through brief screenings and referrals within a six‑county care system. The role is based in Waxahachie, TX, and emphasizes trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented services. You will document and coordinate care across partners.

Travel up to 25% is required, with a day shift in a nonprofit setting. A 2‑year degree is acceptable, with preferred licensure or credentials in Texas and strong

Qualifications

• Must meet the criteria for a Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC) or licensed in Texas (LCSW/LMSW/LPC/LPC-I/LCDC/LMFT).
• Texas Driver's License and auto insurance with clean driving record required.
• Familiarity with HHSC rules for eligibility screening and HHSC‑funded services.

Responsibilities

• Provide brief substance abuse screenings for adults and youth.
• Conduct DSM-5 based preliminary diagnoses and refer to recovery supports.
• Provide interventions, motivational counseling, and case management.
• Coordinate with community partners to link clients to services and supports.
• Travel to agencies across the NTBHA six‑county region for screenings and outreach.
• Assist with community events and maintain thorough documentation.

Skills

Communication skills

Documentation

Autonomy

Interagency collaboration

Problem solving

Education

2 Year Degree

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: Waxahachie, TX 75165, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 2 Year Degree, Salary Range: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00, Travel Percentage: Up to 25%, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

OSAR Counselor

Do you have a passion for helping others and want a career where you can make a difference? Then join our NTBHA team. We have proved to be a strong, self-sufficient and enduring foundation within our community. We are committed to connecting and serving our clients where they live.

Position’s Role Summary

North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA), based in Dallas, is responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for children, adolescents and adults with severe mental illness and other serious emotional disturbances, as well as those experiencing a substance use disorder. NTBHA is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our hiring practices and in our experiences as employees. We strive to create a mindful and respectful environment and culture that is free of perceived harassment, racism, and discrimination, creating an environment of understanding and compassion for all lived experiences.

Travel is required as part of this role’s duties. Travel can vary from 20% to 100% per day and may include all counties within the NTBHA Catchment area (Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro & Rockwall Counties). This position may be required to use a fleet vehicle and/or a personal vehicle for business needs, including field & home visits, offsite meetings, co-located sites and/or pick up items for business needs, and may transport individuals only with a company vehicle and approval from management.

This position is classified as exempt and requires flexibility in scheduling to meet organizational needs, including adjusting work hours as necessary to ensure job responsibilities are completed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• This position’s actions and work must align with NTBHA values and goals, regulations, and policies and procedures, and meet all documentation standards and regulatory requirements.
• This position is responsible for providing brief substance abuse screenings to adults and youth who present with possible substance use issues.
• The OSAR Counselor will conduct a brief screening to determine a preliminary diagnosis utilizing the DSM 5 criteria and provide referrals to appropriate recovery support services.
• The OSAR Counselor will also provide assistance throughout the individual’s continuum of care and/or treatment episode, to include offering brief interventions and motivational counseling in addition to case management services.
• Coordination with community partners and linkage to community-based services, eliminating barriers, and identifying available resources and recovery supports in the community.
• Target identified individual needs and personal goals relative to recovery will be central.
• Performs moderately complex local authority/coordination work with assisting clients in accessing/linkage to behavioral health, medical, housing, transportation, financial, social, and other appropriate services/supports that are consistent with the individuals’ recovery goals.
• Traveling to agencies throughout the six county NTBHA region to conduct OSAR screenings and/or provider outreach and education.
• Assists with Outreach at events.
• Work is achieved under general supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills as well as the ability to use multiple computer software applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Masters of Arts or Masters of Science (MA or MS) preferred but can be an associate degree with full LCDC licensure.
• Must meet the criteria for a Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC), LCSW, LMSW, LPC, LPC‑I, LCDC or LMFT who is licensed and in good standing with the state of Texas.
• Must have familiarity with HHSC rules and guidelines with respect to eligibility screening and availability or HHSC‑funded substance use disorder treatment services. LCDCs who conduct mental health screenings independently must have 45 hours of continuing education in the treatment of clients with psychiatric disorders and 2000 hours of post‑licensure supervision.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and automobile liability insurance, with a good driving record.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of rules, regulations and other guidelines of DSHS Texas Resilience and Recovery program; knowledge of managed care operations; knowledge of DSM IV and 5 criteria.
• Work autonomously and to make decisions consistent with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Create, analyze, prepare, and maintain records, files, documents, reports, and correspondence.
• Recognize problems and identify and facilitate solutions.
• Knowledge of community resources, local indigent behavioral health systems and local authority/service coordination principles, objectives, standards and methods, and of program policies and procedures.
• Communicate effectively and use effective interpersonal skills to communicate ideas and complex concepts with individuals from diverse cultural and socio‑economic backgrounds through oral and written communication.
• Constructively and efficiently work with other professionals and staff, community representatives, persons with disabilities, and family members.
• Foster strong, positive, and effective working relationships with inter‑agency and intra‑agency team members, encouraging and supporting interaction among various team members across organizational lines.
• Respect diverse views and approaches, and contribute in maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
• Performs additional duties and projects as assigned to meet business needs and any tasks or duties otherwise assigned as needed.
• Assists with community events as needed to help provide outreach.

Benefits

• 457(b)
• Paid time off
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending account
• Tuition reimbursement

We are responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for individuals in crisis in the NTBHA service area. We are focused on trauma‑informed, resilience‑oriented care in all services provided.