Agency Information
We are committed to transforming lives and building safter communities by working collaboratively, communicating openly, and upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Our team models accountability, transparency, and respect, taking proactive steps to ensure the physical and emotional safety of youth, staff, and the community. We strive for excellence through continuous growth, thoughtful decision making, and mission driven collaboration, supporting one another while embracing challenges that lead to meaningful, long-term impact.
Job Description
Career Ladder Promotion Opportunity: This position is in the approved TJJD career ladder for Heath Specialists. Personnel in this career ladder have the working title of Mental Health Professional. Placement on the career ladder is dependent upon education, licensure, and experience. Mental Health Professionals may be promoted based on meeting the established eligibility criteria per agency policy until they reach the top level of the ladder. Progression to the highest pay level on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and performance.
TJJD addresses the multiple and complex needs of the youth committed to the agency as well as their families through a trauma informed multi-disciplinary integrated approach that includes implementation of the agency approved Texas Model of Trauma Informed Corrections and a Mental Health Treatment Program (MHTP). The MHTP provides enhanced psychiatric and psychological assistance to youth diagnosed with moderate to severe mental health problems and/or illnesses, which allows the general rehabilitation case managers to focus on risk reduction and protective factor enhancement strategies in order to reduce the risk of reoffending. This collaboration allows for holistic and individualized treatment of youth in need of MHTP services.
Provides a range of direct psychological services to youth adjudicated delinquent of felony offenses and committed to the agency by a juvenile court. Conducts trauma informed groups, individual, family, trauma, and crisis counseling sessions; and administers and interprets psychological evaluations of youth at risk of suicide or in need of specialized treatment services. Assists in monitoring the agency¿s Texas Model of Trauma Informed Corrections treatment program, and reviews and monitors specialized treatment programs. Assists with related in-service training for facility staff. Collaborates with facility administrators, specialized treatment, case management or program specialist staff, parole officers, and contracted staff, as well as halfway house staff. Participates in or leads evaluations of programs in high or medium restriction facilities, or contracted programs. Participates in Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) staffing for youth transitioning into the community and as they exit the agency system. May train, lead, assign, and/or prioritize the work of others.
May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, different shift patterns, be on-call, and travel occasionally.
Levels of Work Performed by Career Ladder Level:
Health Specialist V: Performs advanced (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Health Specialist VI: Performs highly advanced (senior-level) work under minimal supervision with consider latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Program Specialist/Health Specialist VII: Performs highly advanced (senior-level) work under minimal supervision with consider latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Essential Job Duties
Conducts trauma informed psychological evaluations (including stage assessment), suicide risk assessments, and suicide monitoring.
Participates as a member of a multidisciplinary response team within the Regulation Safety Unit (RSU). Provides clinical consultation relating to assessment (risks), treatment (needs), intervention strategies, and behavioral modifications to members of the RSU team, assigned YST, and other staff. Responds to critical incidents on campus with the RSU team. Assists in de-escalation interventions as well as training and coaching other staff on those techniques
Supports RSU programming by leading groups, conducting brief individual sessions, Behavior Chain Analyses, and ensuring presence in the milieu
Develops behavior modification interventions and other clinical evaluations
Serves as a triage point to adequately assess youth programming needs and ensures proper program referrals are completed based on assessment results
Communicates with the manager of forensic risk and the manager of mental health programs regarding referrals
Along with the RSU case manager, serves as a liaison to the assigned YST to ensure smooth transitions and hand offs from RSU back to the dorm environment
Communicates with campus leadership on specific needs of youth and staff training based on assessments and call data. Contributes to the development, maintenance, and delivery of in-service training for facility staff as it relates to the agency¿s rehabilitation and treatment programs.
Documents direct services provided to youth and families.
Engages in activities designed to enhance professional development and to maintain current licensure or certification.
Coordinates and collaborates with program staff in program planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of agency program(s).
Provides advice and counsel by interpreting policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to the program.
Assists in developing program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals in accordance with program objectives and goals.
May analyze the application of and variations within programs to develop action plans for improving or initiating new programs.
Provide training to staff group facilitation and treatment modalities.
Performs a variety of related duties, not listed, determined and assigned, as needed, by the supervisor.
Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.
Actively embody and support the Texas Model by demonstrating its core values in daily tasks and interactions with others.
Qualifications
Requirements for Health Specialist V: Masters degree with major course work in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related field
1-23 months of full-time wage-earning experience as a licensed mental health professional; and
AND
Eligible for one of the following Texas licenses:
AND
Provide proof of temporary license or approved supervisory plan within 90 days of hire
AND
Obtain the following applicable Texas license within three (3) years of date of hire:
Employee hired based on:
LPC-A must obtain LPC;
Psychological Associate - training status must obtain LPA;
LMFT-A must obtain LMFT;
LMSW must obtain LCSW.
Requirements for Health Specialist VI: Master¿s degree with major course work in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field
1-23 months of full-time wage-earning experience as a licensed mental health professional; and
AND
Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following:
Requirements for Program Specialist VII/Health Specialist VII: Master¿s degree with major course work in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field;
AND
Two or Five (2 or 5) years of full-time wage-earning experience as a licensed mental health professional; and
AND
Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following:
Requirements Applicable to All Levels: Must be at least 21 years of age.
Preferred:
Experience working with adolescent offenders in residential settings.
Experience providing treatment with youth and their families in the areas of alcohol and/or other drugs, sexual behavioral problems, and youth with mental health diagnoses.
Experience/expertise on transition planning/community re-entry.
Note: Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be from an accredited educational institution.
Pre-employment conditions require acceptable results from mandatory:
Requirements for Continued Employment:
Obtain and maintain certification in the TJJD approved use of force techniques.
Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR.
Failure to obtain/maintain required licensure/certification will result in termination of employment.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of psychometrics and psychological principles including behavior modification.
Knowledge of diagnostic criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM V), and the Texas Education Association for the evaluation of serious emotional disturbance.
Knowledge of psychology and related disciplines; and of psychological tests, measurements, and treatment techniques and practices.
Knowledge of Juvenile risk assessment, treatment practices and principles, family interventions, and regulatory standards and laws.
Knowledge of or ability to acquire knowledge of TJJD and its program management processes and techniques.
Skill in facilitating individual and group counseling sessions with juvenile offenders.
Skill in conducting family counseling and family reintegration sessions.
Skill in interviewing, evaluation and assessment, and in making appropriate decisions and recommendations regarding treatment options.
Skill in training and/or teaching others.
Skill in maintaining accurate records and files.
Skill and willingness to physically restrain youth in the appropriate manner, maintain order and discipline, and act quickly in emergencies.
Ability to organize and prioritize workloads to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner.
Ability to maintain confidential information.
Ability to function as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
Ability to provide services to youth in a correctional setting with a wide variety of temperaments (volatile, mentally, ill, suicidal) and specialized needs (chemically dependent, sexual offenders, emotionally disturbed, etc.).
Ability to work under stressful conditions, with possible occurrences of extreme heightened stress.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to direct the activities of youth.
Ability to apply the agencys doctrine to youth which includes the ability to treat youth with respect in all situations.
Ability to intervene and correct behavior and facilitate group discussions and activities.
Ability to recognize when decisions need to be made, process information logically, make decisions, and demonstrate the soundness of those decisions.
Ability to read, write, and operate a computer on a regular basis using applicable computer software.
Ability to participate in ongoing didactic training as scheduled by the agency.
Ability to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, different shift patterns, be on-call, and travel occasionally.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts to devise solutions to problems.
Physical Requirements
The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered when performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to perform tactile discernment
Restraining combative youth
Identify colors
Depth perception
Operate motor equipment
Heavy lifting 45 lbs. & over
Heavy carrying 45 lbs. & over
Repeated bending
Reaching above shoulder
Pushing
Pulling
Benefits
State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov. Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, career ladder advancements, and free meals while on duty.
Military/Veteran Information
In order to receive veteran¿s preference, a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), VA disability rating (if applicable), or a DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) must be attached to your application.
Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.
Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor¿s Office at Administrative Support MOS Codes.
Information Technology MOS Codes.
Planning, Research, and Statistics MOS Codes.
Education MOS Codes.
Accounting, Auditing, and Finance MOS Codes.
Inspectors and Investigators MOS Codes.
Program Management MOS Codes.
Human Resources MOS Codes.
Information and Communication MOS Codes.
Property Management and Procurement MOS Codes.
Engineering and Design MOS Codes.
Safety MOS Codes.
Employment MOS Codes.
Legal MOS Codes.
Medical and Health MOS Codes.
Criminal Justice MOS Codes.
Social Services MOS Codes.
Public Safety MOS Codes.
Custodial MOS Codes.
Maintenance MOS Codes.
Library and Records MOS Codes.
Law Enforcement MOS Codes.
Additional Information
If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center (https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psc/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?FOCUS=Applicant.), you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.
Thank you for considering employment with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.
SPONSORSHIP
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
How to Apply
Your job application must be completely filled out and include all employment, do not limit employment to the past 10-15 years. Your application must contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of employment (month & year), supervisor¿s name and phone number, and a description of duties performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.
Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check and any other requirements listed under Minimum Qualifications.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login:https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psc/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?FOCUS=Applicant
| Location | Gainesville, TX |
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