COUNSELOR-PART TIME

McLennan County (TX); Waco (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

McLennan County is seeking a licensed professional counselor to provide treatment services within the Substance Abuse Treatment Program and Treatment Alternatives to Incarceration for probationers/defendants. Responsibilities include screening, assessments, individual and group counseling, and coordination with CSOs.

The role requires adherence to Texas health services licensure, state ethics, and CSCD policies, with travel to the county jail and court-related settings as needed.

Qualifications

• Must hold and maintain a professional counseling license (LCDC, LPC, LPC-I, LCSW) issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services
• Advanced degree related to Texas Human Services; Master’s preferred, Bachelor’s may be accepted
• Experience with cognitive/behavioral treatment models and the 12-step approach; offender/mental health populations preferred

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements treatment programming using a cognitive-behavioral model for substance abuse, individual/family counseling, crisis intervention, and co-occurring disorders
• Maintains regular counseling caseload for CSCD
• Documents compliance and attendance per Group Contract for Substance Abuse Treatment or Treatment Alternatives to Incarceration
• Updates data in CSCD case management software
• Delivers screening, assessment, and counseling; makes referrals to community resources
• Testifies in court as needed; travels as required
• Ensures compliance with ethical standards and agency policies
• Collaborates with CSOs and participates in specialized trainings

Skills

Cognitive-behavioral counseling

Caseload management

Interpersonal communication

Evidence-based practices

Travel as needed

Policy adherence

Ethics and professionalism

Collaboration with CSOs

Analytical reasoning

Crisis intervention

Vehicle ownership/insurance

Education

Licensed counselor (LCDC, LPC, LPC-I, LCSW)

Master’s degree in human services or related field

Tools

CSCD case management software

Job description

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and implements elements of treatment programming, utilizing a cognitive-behavioral model to include but not limited to issues of substance abuse, individual/family counseling, crisis intervention, and co-occurring disorders
• Carries a regular counseling caseload for the CSCD as assigned
• Meets CSCD and TDCJ-CJAD Standards on audits
• Documents probationer and/or defendant compliance and attendance according to requirements of the Group Contract agreement for the Substance Abuse Treatment Program or Treatment Alternatives to Incarceration Program
• Updates probationer and/or defendant data and information in CSCD designated case management software system
• Understands evidence-based programs and possesses the ability to implement them
• Provides screening, assessment, group/individual counseling services to address criminogenic needs of high risk/high needs probationers and/or defendants and makes referrals to community resources as appropriate
• Works closely and effectively to collaborate with specialized and regular community supervision officers (CSOs)
• Participates in specialized training relative to substance abuse, crisis management, group and individual and family counseling, cultural, ethnic and gender diversity topics
• Documents treatment sessions and contacts with participants / Delivers completed progress reports, discharge plans and summaries to the assigned CSO and/or other interested parties
• Provides assessment services to probationers and/or defendants temporarily incarcerated in the McLennan County Jail and testifies in court hearings as needed

• Maintains and adheres to training requirements, credentialing, and compliance with all applicable policies and procedures to include theTDCJ-CJAD’s Code of Ethics and the Ethical Standards established by theTexas Department of State Health Servicesor other agency overseeing respective licensure
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required
• Participates in special projects and performs other related duties as assigned by assigned Staff Operations Manager, Deputy Director and/or CSCD Director

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

EDUCATION:

Required:

• Must hold and maintain a professional counseling license (LCDC, LPC, LPC-I, LCSW) issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services and maintain current license and/or alternative licensure as appropriate
• Advanced degree related to Texas Human Services conferred by an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Higher Texas Coordinating Board. Bachelor’s degree may be accepted, Master’s degree (preferred)

SKILLS ~ EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with cognitive/behavioral models of treatment as well as the 12-step model, assessment instruments and clinical documentation. Counseling/teaching experience in a substance abuse treatment setting in addition to experience with offender and/or mental health populations preferred.

• Effective interpersonal skills in dealing with offenders, public, and co-workers

• Excellent oral and written communication/presentations skills with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of individuals utilizing tact and diplomacy

• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple tasks with competing priorities and deadlines
• Ability to use sound analytical reasoning to solve difficult or complex problems
• Documented willingness to work and to exceed minimum expectations
• Ability and means to travel as needed
• Willingness to adhere to policies of the CSCD and support the CSCD Administration despite pressure exerted by others
• Effective conflict resolution skills
• Ability to cooperate and collaborate with others of diverse backgrounds, cultures, or interests

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a workplace culture that is consistent with and emphasizes the CSCD's Mission, Vision, and Values
• Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License
• Must provide proof of current automobile liability insurance
• Must have a working and reliable vehicle

DISCLAIMER:

McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past ten years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

All Employees

• Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the Courts, the county and community
• Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large
• Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Works primarily indoors
• Conducts face-to-face visits with inmates in County Jail
• Comes in contact with criminal courts, courthouse personnel, law enforcement and community agencies
• Works with individuals who are on supervision for felony and/or misdemeanor offenses
• Requires a part-time work schedule (Monday through Friday) under potentially stressful conditions. This position may be required to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the CSCD.

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:

• Reading procedures, policies, standards, case files, reports, etc.
• Reading, bending, sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, speaking, hearing, lifting case files, significant computer data entry, ability to manage stress in meeting deadlines and change, and other physical efforts as required
• May be required to travel to County Jail to conduct substance abuse assessments
• The duties of a Counselor include office work which both require substance abuse treatment of criminal offenders who may present physical danger to the counselor and to the public. In the treatment of probationers and/or defendants, essential duties require moderate to arduous physical exertion, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination, and use of self-defense tactics. Office work requires prolonged periods of sitting and standing, moderate lifting, and walking.

HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Work schedule will vary. This position may be required to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the facility.