Counselor

Position Description

• Attend weekly or bi-weekly staffings with CSCD court team (CSOs, Program Manager, CSO Supervisor, Counselor Supervisor, etc.).
• Regularly collaborate and communicate with CSOs between scheduled CSCD staffings and/or Court when the need arises.
• Attend Court staffings for assigned dockets/courts.
• Attend Court reviews with clients present for assigned dockets/courts.
• Provide interdisciplinary Court team with appropriate treatment recommendations.
• Complete assessments of clients completed with substance abuse treatment but still actively in STAR Drug Court or SOBER Court as requested by Judge and provide court team with treatment recommendation.
• Conducts individual and group counseling sessions with clients.
• Provides services to clients with diverse criminal backgrounds.
• Communicates key information and regularly collaborates with Community Supervision Officers.
• Tracks compliance with drug and alcohol testing and provide evidence-based interventions for substance use treatment
• Participates in staffing cases with supervisors, peers, Community Supervision Officers, and the courts.
• Ensures accurate and timely entries in the electronic case management systems.
• Monitors and adheres to deadlines to ensure completeness, accuracy and compliance with policy, grant standards, funding and licensure requirements, special conditions of community supervision, and Community Justice Assistance Division (CJAD) general and substance abuse standards.
• Maintains professional and effective communication, including email correspondence, with judges, attorneys, prosecutors, court personnel, law enforcement officially, CSCD personnel, victims, and community members.
• Participates in clinical and interdisciplinary staffing.
• Participate in team, unit and departmental meetings.
• Travel to Court, other HCCSCD locations or off-site locations for meetings, training, group coverage, etc. is required as needed.
• Testify in a court setting.
• Operates office equipment, computers, phones, telecommunication devices and other necessary required tools.
• Works collaboratively with other personnel.
• Fosters a positive work environment by communicating and behaving cooperatively, respectfully and amicably with supervisors, co-workers, and the public.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Work overtime as required.

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

Education:

• Master’s Degree in a Psychological, Counseling or Social Work related field.

• At minimum possess licensure at the start of employment as an:
  • Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A)
  • Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFT-A)
    • Will provide clinical supervision as needed.
    • Should clinical supervision be provided, then the applicant is required to remain in this position for the equivalent amount of time clinical supervision was provided.
• Must have a valid Texas Class C Automobile Operator’s License or Texas Identification Card.

• Must become Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) certified and maintain certification within the first two attempts. Failure to pass the certification may result in termination of employment.
• Meet the minimum requirements for access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) information.

Preferences

• LPCs, LCSWs, and LMFTs.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time | FLSA Status Non-Exempt
• 5 days per week | Schedule hours will range between:
  • 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • The Specialty Court Counselor will be required to work until 9pm a minimum of two days a week.
  • Flexibility in work schedule is required and determined by program needs.
  • Work overtime as required.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting, although there is an opportunity to work remotely on designated days after the introductory period and the employee is in good standing. Continuing Education opportunities and license renewal fees may be provided.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with co-workers and clients, as well as visually observe clients during individual and group settings for assessment and treatment purposes.

• $31.48 Hourly ($5,455.98 Monthly) - $34.40 (5,963.01 Monthly)
• Commensurate with Experience
• Based on 26 pay periods

• Reports To: Counseling Supervisor

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.