Mental Health Specialist, licensed - Corrections

Orange County Government; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holidays & time off

Longevity bonus

Sick time policy

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Wellness programs

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Orange County Government is seeking a Licensed Mental Health Specialist to assess and plan treatment for offenders in correctional facilities. The role involves mental status evaluations, crisis intervention, and evidence-based interventions under supervision.

You will contribute to multi-disciplinary teams and support staff with clinical recommendations. The position requires a Master’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field and Florida licensure, with at least two years

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field with two years of direct clinical experience.
• Must hold Florida professional license with ability to Baker Act within one year of hire.
• Experience providing services in a social or mental health setting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Mental Status Exams and assess mental health of inmates.
• Develop assessment-based treatment plans for offenders with mental health needs.
• Provide group or individual counseling to incarcerated offenders.
• Consult with staff to inform treatment, housing and classification decisions.
• Deliver crisis intervention as needed and prepare psychoeducational materials.
• Document cases and prepare reports, ensuring accurate records.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team activities and staff training.
• Assist with preparing inmates for release when appropriate.

Skills

Mental health assessment

Counseling

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Counseling/Psychology/Social Work

State of Florida Licensed Clinician (Psychologist/Nurse/Counselor/Social Worker)

Job description

Overview

At Orange County Government, we are proud to serve the public with integrity, honesty, fairness, and professionalism. We develop innovative policies and services that impact Central Florida and shape the future of our community. We believe in hiring the very best. Our workplace experience sets us apart and makes us a great place to work. Our goal is to create an environment of exceptional organizational values, customer service standards, and employee satisfaction. Orange County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and services to all individuals.

Job Description

The Licensed Mental Health Specialist is responsible for assessment and treatment planning with offenders at Orange County's correctional facilities who have demonstrated a need for mental health services. Performs a variety of related functions including conducting mental status evaluations of inmates, providing recommendations to staff, performing crisis assessments and implementing interventions. Work is performed with independence under the direction of the Chief Psychologist and is reviewed on a regular basis through observations and results achieved.

Representative Duties/Assignments

Duties may vary based on area of assignment. The following are representative duties, it is not the intent to capture all duties performed by this classification.

• Conducts Mental Status Exams and assesses mental health via behavior, including verbal and nonverbal cues to diagnose inmates accurately.
• Conducts needs assessments based on psychosocial history and reviews medical charts to evaluate mental status of incarcerated offenders.
• Conducts group and/or individual counseling with incarcerated offenders who have mental health problems at Orange County Corrections.
• Consults with other staff to provide recommendations relative to treatment, classification, housing, etc.
• Provides crisis intervention counseling or assistance, as necessary.
• Prepares and presents psychoeducational material to incarcerated offenders.
• Prepares case documentation, reports or correspondence
• Provides training and consultation to staff.
• Prepares mental health inmates for release, as appropriate.
• Participates as a member of a multidisciplinary environment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related degree and two years of professional experience providing direct clinical services in a social or mental health setting. Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatric Nurse, Mental Health Counselor or Clinical Social Worker with the ability to Baker Act within one (1) year of hire.

Preferences

• Experience in criminal justice.
• Experience using DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) 5.

Application Deadline

Open Date: 10/01/2026

Close Date: 10/30/2026

This posting is subject to close without prior notice.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: 806 - From $34.48 to $46.46

FLSA Status: Exempt

Placement based on Education and Experience

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays and up to 2 floating holidays annually.
• 18 days paid time off per year.
• Longevity bonus based on years of service.
• 6 days of paid TERM (sick) time annually.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, additional life insurance.
• Free basic life, long term disability, and employee assistance for all the family members effective on day one.
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System.
• Employee assistance program includes multiple free one on one sessions with licensed counselors and online tools for legal advice, financial planning, personal life balance, etc.
• Free access to Wellworks gyms and Orange County Recreation Centers.
• Free onsite wellness coaching, including dietician and nurse.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Earn service time to forgive student loans.

Disclaimer: Benefits may vary for employees under collective bargaining agreements.

For more information on Benefits visit - https://www.ocfl.net/EmploymentVolunteerism/EmployeeBenefits.aspx

Veterans Preference

If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the closing date of the posting.

*If you are a current employee returning from active military service, you may be eligible for promotion preference if the active military service qualifies for Veterans' Preference.

Note that Veterans' Preference applies only to a Veterans' first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.

Educational Requirements

If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.

Address

This position is located at the Orange County Correctional Facility located in Orlando, Florida

Notes

Selected candidates will be required to provide employment references and will be required to complete a pre-employment drug, physical and background check.