Therapist - School-Based Mental Health

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 68,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) seeks a qualified School-Based Mental Health Therapist to implement a comprehensive program promoting student success. You will deliver preventive services, counseling, and crisis response within a system that serves justice-involved youth at The Opportunity Center in Houston.

The role requires an MS/MA in clinical or counseling psychology or social work, plus licensure within three years of hire.

Qualifications

• MS/MA in clinical or counseling psychology and/or social work from an accredited institution.
• One year of post-master clinical experience or two internship semesters in relevant units.
• Must be fully licensed in clinical or counseling psychology and/or social work within three years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver direct intervention strategies for students, teachers, and families to remove barriers to learning.
• Provide clinical case management, referrals to community resources, and collaborate with professionals.
• Conduct individual and group counseling addressing emotional, social, and behavioral needs.
• Offer crisis management and safety planning; consult with probation officers and school staff.
• Coordinate with families, schools, and community providers to expand resources for students.
• Build partnerships with service providers to extend support for students and families.

Skills

Empathy

Verbal communication

Oral and written communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

MS/MA in clinical or counseling psychology and/or social work

Internship in Psychological/Social Services

Job description

About Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD):

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) is the third-largest juvenile justice agency in the country and the second-largest department in Harris County, employing over 1,200 professionals dedicated to youth justice transformation and reform. HCJPD is committed to improving outcomes for youth, reducing racial disproportionality, and ensuring a safe environment for both staff and residents. We continuously innovate by implementing systemic changes to lower detention populations and promote positive youth development.

About The Opportunity Center:

The Opportunity Center is a career readiness academy that empowers justice-involved youth through high-quality education, career readiness, vocational training, enrichment opportunities, and real-world work experiences. From the first day students walk through our doors until they transition into the community as confident young adults, we provide the structure, support, and opportunities needed to develop academically, professionally, and personally. Through a culture of accountability, belonging, and high expectations, we prepare every student with the knowledge, skills, character, and confidence to succeed in education, employment, and life while becoming positive contributors to their families and communities.

Position Overview:

Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, the School-Based Mental Health Therapist will promote student success, provide preventative services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school mental health program that seeks to meet the needs of the whole student. The School-Based Mental Health Therapist will seek to develop and facilitate programming that effectively removes barriers to learning and equip students with the necessary tools needed to navigate their educational experience and life circumstances.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements direct intervention and strategies for students, teachers, and families to resolve stressors and remove barriers that interfere with student success.
• Provides clinical and case management services including, but not limited to, referrals to community resources, and collaboration with other professionals.
• Conducts specialized individual and group counseling sessions and assessments to address specific emotional, social, and behavioral needs of students.
• Provides crisis management services, including assessing and planning for safety. Provides consultation to HCJPD Juvenile Probation Officer and school staff regarding behavioral, adjustment issues, case planning, and treatment needs including providing advocacy and collaborative efforts to ensure related services are provided to assigned juveniles.
• Serves as a liaison between the student, home, school, behavioral health programs and providers and community resources such as social services, court services, and family service agencies.
• Develops and builds community agency partnerships with service providers to expand resources available to students and families, including case management.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

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

Education and Experience:

• MS/MA from an accredited college or university in clinical or counseling psychology and/or social work with either
• One (1) year of post master's clinical experience

OR

• At least two (2) semesters of internship in the Psychological and Social Services Unit of Harris County Juvenile Probation or in Harris County Children's Forensic Unit.

Licensure:

• Applicant must be fully licensed in clinical or counseling psychology and/or social work within three (3) years of date of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must possess a strong knowledge of the common diagnoses and treatments for school-aged children and possess the skills necessary to facilitate positive change in a school environment.
• Possess a strong sense of empathy and compassion to help people feel comfortable. The therapist will be working with people who are under physical and mental duress.
• Communication Skills: Therapists will need to be good listeners and good communicators, listening to patients describe their ailments, working with them to come up with plans, explaining progress to the patient, their family, other doctors, and insurance companies.
• Physical Stamina: may need to be able to manipulate a person's body and help them move in and out of devices.
• Problem-Solving Skills: work with patients to develop ways to manage pain, cope with ailments and recover from physical or mental trauma. Be able to think outside the box to create specific plans for each person, according to their needs, comfort level and limitations.
• Technical Skills: Some therapy jobs require an understanding of comfortability around computer equipment to help rehabilitate a patient.
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Possess excellent organizational skills.

Additional Requirements:

• Upon receiving a conditional job offer, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.
• All applicants must provide evidence of a tuberculosis (TB) skin test. If the attest result is positive, additional documentation will be required.
• All employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, as well as testing based on reasonable suspicion that the employee may be under the influence of a substance prohibited by the county’s drug and alcohol policy during the course and scope of employment.
• In the event of a public emergency declared by the county, staff may be assigned to other duties, facilities, or departments under the supervision of another county department.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
• Employees in this position must possess and maintain a valid Texas Driver's license and maintain liability insurance coverage at least equal to the minimum amounts required by law.
• Certified copies of educational transcripts and/or college credits will be required during the hiring process.
• This position involves working with challenging youth where the use of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies may be necessary to ensure the safety of both youth and staff.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented in your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation butONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume"will not be accepted for qualifications.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• Grant-Funded Full-time
• Monday - Friday

Opened Position Location:

• The Opportunity Center - 6500 Chimney Rock Rd, Houston, TX 77081

Salary:

• $67,558.40 - $85,550.40 Annually
• Depends on Qualifications

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.