Job Summary:

The Travis County Juvenile Probation Department has two openings for Senior Counselors. We are looking for individuals who wish to provide for public safety while advocating for at-risk youth and families in our community.
This position provides screening, assessment, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, and support services to clients. Screens and assesses the medical, psychosocial and environmental status of clients, and coordinates and monitors referral of clients to clinical and other resources and services. Develops, or assists in developing counseling programs and interventions and provides related training for staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts a medical, psychosocial and environmental assessment of clients through personal interviews, observation and other methods to determine clinical and other resources and services required.
• Conducts individual and group counseling related to mental and behavioral problems, substance abuse, personal and other problems. Provides crisis intervention services for clients. Identifies clients in at-risk situations and seeks treatment solutions and alternative environmental surroundings.
• Develops or assists in developing treatment and intervention programs and recommends service plans for clients. Presents potential diagnosis based on established criteria. Coordinates referral of clients to clinical and other resources and services and monitors client progress. Resolves obstacles to service delivery.
• Maintains primary responsibility for coordinating client services provided by clinical and social service professionals and community outreach service providers. Initiates and sustains ongoing advocacy for client. Manages a client caseload.
• Assists in administering, scoring and interpreting sociological, psychological and vocational tests.
• Prepares progress reports of client treatment, documents interviews, observations and evaluations for case file. Maintains statistical reports of treatment and service provisions.
• Monitors mental health and environmental adjustment.
• Plans, develops and conducts training sessions for staff and volunteers.
• Serves as liaison with advocacy groups, clinical and other service providers, community outreach services and law enforcement personnel.
• May function as lead over subordinate counselors and other staff and/or volunteers.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND four (4) years experience in counseling/social services or criminal justice work;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:
Bilingual in English and Spanish
Master's degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field.
Crisis and trauma counseling experience.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Procedures for assessing medical, psychosocial and environmental status of clients.
• Counseling and crisis stabilization techniques and resources.
• Policies, practices, procedures and standards within area of assignment.
• Advocacy groups, clinical and other service providers and community outreach services.
• Principles and procedures of case file documentation.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Counseling and providing crisis and other assistance to clients.
• Screening and assessing the medical, psychosocial and environmental status of clients.
• Determining types of counseling, social service provider and other services indicated for clients.
• Obtaining information from clients and other sources.
• Developing treatment and intervention programs and recommending service plans for clients.
• Developing and conducting training sessions.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Apply counseling theory, practice and procedures.
• Develop client advocacy programs.
• Train and supervise staff and volunteers.
• Work efficiently, both independently and as a team member.
• Manage time well and meet timelines.
• Communicate effectively.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, other County employees and officials, community outreach and other organizations, clinical service providers, law enforcement personnel and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information:

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: Rotating Shifts Schedule varies
Works some holidays, nights and weekends

Department: Juvenile Probation

Location: 2515 S. Congress Ave., Austin

Physical and Psychological Exam Required
Drug Test Required
Criminal, Driving, Education and Employment Background Check Required.