DPS - IOD - First Responder Behavioral Health Professional - 4165

Texas A&M International; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking a seasoned Behavioral Health Professional to provide individual, couples, and family therapy for commissioned officers and non-commissioned employees, focusing on occupational stress and trauma. The role includes crisis intervention, mental health assessments, and developing wellness training for staff.

The position requires a master's degree in a mental health field, active Texas licensure, and experience with first responders or military personnel.

Qualifications

• Education - Master's degree in a mental health, social science, behavioral science, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual, couples, and family therapy to commissioned officers and non-commissioned employees.

Job description

DPS - IOD - First Responder Behavioral Health Professional - 4165

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Perform highly advanced (senior-level) psychological counseling and administrative work for the Victim and Employee Support Services. Work involves providing therapy, employee assistance services, and crisis services to law enforcement officers, their dependent family members, and non-commissioned DPS employees. Work will include developing and conducting training as well as outreach efforts. Will assist in conducting wellness visits for commissioned employees. Work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment within the limits of applicable statutes, professional ethics, allocated resources, regulations, policies, and procedures.

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position.

Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide individual, couples, and family therapy to commissioned officers and non-commissioned employees experiencing occupational stress, trauma, critical incident exposure, grief, relationship difficulties, substance use concerns, and other personal challenges.
2. Conduct mental health assessments and safety evaluations; provide and coordinate crisis intervention and emergency referrals to law enforcement officers, DPS employees, and dependent family members; may also include other first responder agency employees.
3. Provide emergency and crisis services during critical incidents, large scale events and disasters to provide immediate psychological first aid and follow up support.
4. Engage in proactive outreach through attendance at area meetings, development and distribution of educational material, cultivation of collaborative relationships with commissioned officers, and establishment of partnerships with community resources (site visits with community providers and facilities) to ensure continuity of care.
5. Develop, update, and present training to employees with the goal of increasing overall wellness, resilience, and job effectiveness. Topics may include stress management; work performance enhancement; basic psychology in law enforcement work; crisis intervention; suicide prevention; substance misuse; critical incident reactions, etc.
6. Participate in field visits and observe training for law enforcement officers; provide feedback to VESS leadership regarding suggestions to improve the mental health, psychological safety, and wellness of first responders.
7. Conduct Wellness visits with specialized workgroups.
8. Facilitate initial and follow up support of personnel involved in officer involved shootings, critical incidents, line of duty injuries/deaths, and mass casualties, This includes individual and group debriefings. May include on-scene response.
9. Provide consultation and assistance in coordinating Critical Incident Responses, Department Veteran Assistance Program, and Volunteer Chaplain activities.
10. Assist with monitoring Critical Incident Response team activities through observation, participation, and report review.
11. Promote and maintain Employee Support Program services (focusing on assigned regions) that comply with statutory requirements and mental health professional standards for working with clients.
12. Maintain and report activity daily in EHR systems, monthly to supervisor and/or as requested.
13. Adhere to DPS policies and VESS procedures as specified in internal SOPs and rules of the board.
14. Work collaboratively with assigned supervisor to identify operational challenges and develop recommended solutions for program enhancement.
15. Travel locally and within the state of Texas as needed to accomplish position objectives. Travel to more than one work location and overnight travel may be required.
16. Attends work regularly and observes approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies. May be called upon to respond to critical incidents outside of regular business hours and must be available for on-call rotations as determined by the agency.
17. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS

Education - Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a master's degree in a mental health, social science, behavioral science, or other related discipline from an accredited program.

Experience - Two (2) years or more of verifiable work experience in general mental health and behavioral counseling including clinical crisis intervention and/or trauma counseling preferred. Experience in providing services to first responders or military personnel preferred.

Licensure and/or Certification - Must possess current certification or licensure, commensurate with master's or doctoral level training as a mental health professional in the State of Texas, such as a licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, licensed psychological associate, or psychologist. Applicants with a provisional license, such as an LPC-A, or applicants with an LMSW may be considered if they can obtain full clinical licensure within 12 months of date of hire. Out of state license holders must obtain a Texas licensure within a 6-month period. Must possess a valid driver license from state of residence.

Regulatory Knowledge - Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to TXDPS, State and Federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies, and procedures. Additionally, must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge of mental health code and professional standards, community resources, and police operations.

Clinical Skills - Advanced skills in therapy, evidence-based treatment interventions, theoretical frameworks, mental health issues, trauma, grief, victimology, assessment, and crisis intervention. Adherence to all ethical guidelines, administrative codes, regulatory agencies, and professional standards that pertain to specific licensure. Must keep documentation current and maintain accurate client records.

Interpersonal Skills - Position continually requires demonstrated diplomacy, tact, collaboration, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working/professional relationships with external and internal customers. Ability to effectively and professionally provide direct services to first responders and employees in a culturally competent and trauma informed manner. Ability to assist in establishing and maintaining a professional and ethical tone in the workplace. Ability to address conflict in a direct and respectful manner.

Organizational and Prioritization Skills - Must be organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multi-demand and constantly changing environment; able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness, or professionalism.

Communication Skills - Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and be comfortable speaking or presenting to various and diverse individuals. Able to understand and effectively apply complex oral and written instructions and procedures. Ability to make quick and accurate judgment calls regarding the need to provide information and critical decisions, while utilizing Chain of Command.

Presentation/Training skills - Must have experience communicating and presenting to small and large diverse groups.

Organizational skills - Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a high-stress, multi-demand environment, and the ability to make sounds work-related judgments and decisions.

Technology (computers/hardware/software/operating systems) - Must possess appropriate levels of proficiency with utilized software and systems and be able to learn new software/systems. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Confidentiality and Protected Information - Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle highly sensitive, confidential information and complex work situations and relationships. Must adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance and dissemination of information.

Safety - Must be able to work in safe manner at all times, avoiding shortcuts that have potential adverse results/risks, and must be able to comply with safety standards and best practices.

Travel and/or Schedule - Ability to travel 25% regionally and statewide as needed. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work additional and/or extended hours as needed. Position is provided with a state issued cell phone and position requires applicant to be accessible for emergency situations.

PHYSICAL and/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Environment: Office environment and on-scene/field work;
• Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, walk, sit;
• Ability to speak, hear, and exercise visual acuity;
• Ability to transfer weights of up to twenty (20) pounds anticipated for this position;
• Driving requirements: Occasional - short trips 1-2x/month.

Current DPS employees who submit applications for posted DPS positions shall notify their immediate supervisor in writing.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in the same salary group and state title as their current position will be transferred with no salary change.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary.

Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.

DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS, WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS. ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.

State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.