LICENSED CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY COUNSELOR

SALARY: $46,942.00

REPORTS TO:

Mental Health Coordinator

SUPERVISES:

N/A

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Degree from an accredited college or university and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and/or Intern with the State of Texas. Minimum of one year working with children and families is preferred. Basic Computer skills in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Must work a flexible work schedule. Bilingual preferred.

Licenses, Certificates, and Experience

• Must be over 21 years of age;
• Current LCDC license;
• Current Texas Driver's License and must have current automobile insurance;
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English; knowledge of Spanish is preferred;
Able to submit to a drug urinalysis pre-screening exam and pass a criminal background check. If the candidate for employment does have a criminal record, it must be cleared through the requirements as set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;

After Hire Licenses or Certificates

• Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and First Aid (FA);
• Abuse, NeglectExploitationCode of Ethics Orientation
• Must be eligible to obtain full licensure upon completion of required supervised hour

• Oversees the development and implementation of treatment programs and plans to meet the needs of chemically dependent clients;
• Conducts the interviewing, screening and assessment of clients for potential participation and services;
• Coordinates and monitors follow-up and after care services for program clients assigned to the post residential programs and community-based programs;
• Provides substance abuse counseling and education classes by utilizing evidence-based curriculums and best practice models (i.e.: cannabis youth treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy and matrix model);
• Provides individual and group substance abuse counseling services to youths participating in the program;
• Prepare individualized treatment plans in accordance with established standards;
• Develop discharge plans which will integrate aftercare treatment;
• Provide monthly progress reports and discharge summaries of program participants to the mental health division and/or assigned juvenile probation officer;
• Works closely with mental health division and service providers for the treatment of services;
• Conducts school visits to provide counseling sessions if necessary;
• Enters all data on JCMS for grant purposes and tracking of services;
• Contacts juveniles and families and reminds them about scheduled counseling sessions;
• Participates in treatment team meetings so that input can be provided on progress;
• Monitors compliance with court orders and programmatic requirements;
• Maintains a tracking sheet for counseling sessions, etc.;
• Testify in court as required by law when needed;
• Assist with the department's community-based programs and supervision requirements for juveniles/family;
• Assist with providing substance abuse services in community-based programs and re-entry from post residential placements;
• Prepare various routine reports required by the department;
• Perform duties and coordinate with supervisor the operations, activities and supervision of probation matters that is consistent with the philosophy and objective of the Juvenile Probation Department;
• Maintains conduct consistent with standards expected of Cameron County employees as specified in the Cameron County Operations Employee Handbook and that of the Cameron County Juvenile Probation Department;
• Must comply with all TJJD standards and Code of Ethics requirements;
• Knowledgeable and be able to perform physical training but not required;
• Assist in any investigations when required and be able to testify in court;
• MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to; inclement weather, taking children into custody, transporting probation children to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by supervisor;
• Responsible for reporting any and all suspected cases of abuse or unprofessional conduct on the part of another employee, to include supervisors;
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required;
• Submitting reports to probation officers and /or supervisors as needed;
• Adhere, maintain, and comply with professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with the standards and policies and procedures expected by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), TJJD,
• Cameron County, and Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department (CCJJD) at all time, both on duty and off duty;
• Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment;
• Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards and cooperate with all ANE investigations;
• Adhere and comply CCJJD's and Cameron County's policies and procedures and know how to keep abreast of any changes to said policies and procedures, including maintaining an effective safety program as established by Cameron County;
• Abide by all federal, state, and local laws, the nature of our profession requires being a good role model and setting a good example at all times;
• Employment is contingent upon federal, state, local and/or grants availability;
• CCJJD is an At-Will employer; the department has the right to terminate your employment for any legal reason, or no reason, at any time either with or without notice;
Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Deputy Director(s) and/or designee to include reassignment which is in the best interest of the department.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of chemical dependency with alcoholism, addiction, co-dependency, and related disorders of counseling techniques and of recovery process.
• Understanding of human behavioral patterns and ability to apply good sound judgment on problems of individuals and ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Must possess an understanding of human behavioral patterns and the ability to apply good judgment in dealing with troubled youth and their families.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Applicable Juvenile Justice System standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• General knowledge of providing trauma-informed care, establishing appropriate relationships, and social adjustment.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.

Skills In:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, team members, Judges, Attorneys, County Employees, juveniles, parents, and general public.
• Must possess a high degree of maturity coupled with strong interest in young people and an ability to accept and work with all types of children and families to include those with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
• Monitoring and responding to juvenile's behavior.
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages
• Skills in using independent judgment, initiative, discretion and ability to adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies, and procedures.

Ability To:

• Required to work morning, afternoons and evenings in order to meet the needs of the program.
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Maintain resident and program confidentiality.
• Must be able to withstand verbal aggression, intimidation, threats from clients without responding irrationally. Must never take comments personally and utilize de-escalation skills in effort to defuse an aggressive situation.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially.
• Perform effectively and courteously in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other county employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.
• When in contact with law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and/or community groups, must be treated with respect.
• Communicate in person, telephone, radio, written memorandum, and miscellaneous reports.

Work Environment:

• Tobacco free environment.
• Absolutely no electronic devices or cell phones allowed in the facility while either on/off shift.
• Moderate travel with little or no notice (emergency transport) requiring additional hours after scheduled shift and/or overnight stays may be required for transports or training.
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, hazardous waste, human fecal manner and foul odors.
• Must be able to work in high noise level environment.
• At no time, will the review or use of social media be allowed while on duty, and/or on County provided electronic equipment, except in limited situations where such activity is work related and is authorized by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer or designee.

Physical Demands:

• Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform essential functions.
• Subject to stressful environment and resident contact for extended periods of time.
• When back-up emergency response is needed, must be able to run to the requested location.
• And perform any other duties deemed necessary for the best interest of the department.

This is not a Civil Service covered position.

BENEFITS:

Cameron County Offers Excellent Fringe Benefits, Including: Health and Life Insurance Protection, Sick and Annual Leave, Retirement System and Paid Holidays. Cameron County has a mandatory direct deposit payroll program.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER