Counselor

Works with residents and fellow staff members in educating and developing residents to live a substance-free, pro-social lifestyle. Conducts individual sessions for assigned caseload, psychoeducational treatment classes, and group process for residents. Member of treatment team.

• Maintain a caseload of residents.

• Conduct psychoeducational treatment classes and group process.

• Follow treatment class curriculum.

• Maintain classroom management to ensure the physical, mental, and emotional safety of CRTC staff and residents.

• Maintain accurate documentation of meetings with residents, including individual sessions, class and group attendance, progress, cooperation, and general participation in the treatment program.

• Maintain resident files for assigned caseload.

• Complete intake requirements for new residents, including individual sessions and required paperwork.

• Coordinate and facilitate family treatment visits/sessions, when requested and therapeutic.

• Evaluate the progress of the residents in the program.

• Work with assigned residents in the development and implementation of effective relapse prevention and continuing care plans.

• Be available for on-call duty.

• Effectively deal with crises, including self-harm, instability, and family issues, such as notify a resident of a family member's death.

• Prepare assigned reports and paperwork in a timely manner.

• Participate in disciplinary staffing when necessary.

• Communicate with other facility staff regarding a resident's needs and problem areas.

• Work as a member of the treatment team, to communicate with other CRTC department staff regarding residents' needs, problem areas, accomplishments, and overall progress in the treatment program.

• Work effectively as a team member with CRTC staff, contract staff, courthouse personnel, other professional staff, and the public as necessary.

• Work with Program Coordinator in the development and implementation of programs relating to the habilitation/rehabilitation of the resident.

• Work with Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) in the reintegration of the resident in the community.

• Possess and maintain professional licensure or certification as a Qualified Credentialed Counselor.  Adhere to the Code of Ethics or Standards establish for specific licensure.

• May be assigned additional duties, not explicitly set out herein, but which will adhere to specific job guidelines.  The Director reserves the right to change or modify the task required for this position as programming or workload dictates.

Qualifications:

• Must possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Sociology, Psychology, Social Welfare, Education, or related fields, or have at least two years of full-time work experience in a similar field of work.   Must possess licensure or certification as a Qualified Credentialed Counselor (e.g. LCDC, LPC, LMSW).  Must adhere to ethical standards established by the specified licensure. Must possess a valid Texas driver's license and carry automobile liability insurance, pursuant to Texas Department of Motor Vehicle laws.

• Prefer advanced degrees or certifications in areas of drug and alcohol use, psychometrics, diagnostics, or counseling.

• Follow all Texas Department of Criminal Justice Community Justice Assistance Division (TDCJ-CJAD) and departmental standards and policies.  Adhere to the TDCJ-CJAD and departmental Code of Ethics.

• Regular and punctual attendance.

• Travel within the city environment, with little notice, for job-related tasks.

• Travel inside and outside the city to attend trainings and program development, on short notice and on occasion overnight, when and where assigned, as required by the TDCJ-CJAD Standards for CSCDs and CRTCs.

• Must possess a valid Texas driver's license and liability automobile insurance pursuant to Texas motor vehicle laws.

• Must have a telephone number at which he/she can be reached and access to reliable transportation.

• Must be able to pass a criminal history check.

• Respond to physical altercations and potential physical incidents by establishing control over those present. Collect the facts of the situation, including all individuals involved, determine the problem, resolve the problem in an appropriate manner, and document accordingly.

• Be capable of delivering CPR, First Aid, and respond to emergencies (i.e., physical and natural) as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to use a personal computer, associated software, and other office equipment (e.g., telephone, copier, fax machine, etc.); must possess good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; must be able to work flexible hours, evenings, and weekends as program dictates; must have interpersonal skills necessary to deal with offenders, the public, coworkers, court personnel and personnel of other agencies and departments; ability to work independently and efficiently; must be able to handle high levels of stress; must be multitask-oriented and able to handle a variety of tasks on an ongoing basis; must possess effective organizational skills; must be able to rationally prioritize tasks and exercise judgment in making decisions and recommendations in a timely manner; ability to follow oral and written instructions; ability to exercise good, independent judgment, make sound decisions and recommendations, and maintain professional demeanor in difficult situations, and the ability to work with a variety of people, realize their individual problems, and maintain control and order in the CRTC.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time; unassisted mobility within an office environment, within the CRTC, and within the community; maintain the ability to occasionally stand, walk, kneel, stoop, and bend during the course of your shift; reach, grip, and use fine dexterity; push and pull object; occasionally flex upper trunk forward at the waist and partially at the knees; occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds; occasionally rotate upper trunk to the left or right while sitting or standing; place arms above, at or below shoulder height; use vision and depth perception; talking and hearing.

The work environment is typically indoors, with moderate noise level.

Note: This position is made possible through State and/or Federal grant funds allocated on a fiscal year to year basis. Any reduction or deletion of the funds, for any reason, may require a reduction in personnel to accommodate available revenues. As such, the Department is unable to guarantee continued employment to any employee. All employees serve "At Will" and no offer or acceptance of employment may be implied or construed to establish a contractual relationship between an applicant or employee and the Department. The job description and assignment (s) may change at any time based upon the needs of the Department.

DISCLAIMER: The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the standard functions of this position and should not be constructed as a thorough description of all work requirements. The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Equal Employment and Affirmative Action Employer Lubbock County will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant's race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.