About Health Services:

The Health Services division of the HCJPD is responsible for the medical, psychological, and treatment programs within the agency. The services operated within this division include the medical staff that assess and treat youth in the detention center and post-adjudicated facilities. In addition, the division has mental health therapists who provide crisis counseling, and individual, group and family therapy to youth both in the detention center and under community supervision. Lastly, the Health Services division oversees the four specialty courts that operate within the agency to help address some of the underlying factors that may be impacting a youth’s functioning.

The Therapist provides counseling services including crisis intervention, crisis management, individual sessions, group sessions, and family intervention under supervision of Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD). This position is expected to assist in providing safe and secure custody of adolescents to reduce negative effects of detainment, provide mental health services to the youth in our care, and encourage socially acceptable behavior.

• Provides supportive psychosocial counseling, psychosocial education, crisis intervention/management, clinical assessments, all while highlighting different modalities based upon the need of the youth (ex: chemical dependency treatment, anger management).
• Responsible for providing individual and group therapy to HCJPD youth. Provides family therapy as needed, and family contact as needed (to gather relevant treatment information and to appraise them of any concerns regarding their youth at facility).
• Maintains clear, timely, and concise documentation of treatment efforts in compliance with Health Services and Residential Services policies and procedures.
• Completes relevant clinical/administrative functions such as clinical staffing, medication monitoring and staff training. Identifies and refers youth for psychiatric and social services.
• Provides consultation to HCJPD Juvenile Probation Officers and Youth Development Coaches regarding behavioral, adjustment issues, case planning, and treatment needs including providing advocacy and collaborative efforts to ensure related services are provided to assigned youth.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

OR

• Two (2) semesters of internship in the Psychological and Social Services Unit of Harris County Juvenile Probation or in Harris County Children's Forensic Unit.

• Working knowledge of DSM-5 and multi-axial assessment/diagnoses.
• Ability to conduct clinical and psychosocial assessments.
• Working knowledge and ability to execute evidence-based strategies and therapeutic modalities.
• Consistently demonstrate knowledge and application of skills, methods, and fundamentals as they relate to clinical practice with population in detention.
• Ability to document all assessments, clinical notes, phone calls, case management notes, and referrals in a timely manner (24-hour note writing window) while maintaining accuracy.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of HCJPD unit policies and procedures.
• Ability to assess and conceptualize youth’s emotional state, and implement necessary intervention in accordance to departmental guidelines.
• Demonstrate ability to untangle a problem, and dissect it into manageable parts.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments, while simultaneously meeting multiple deadlines.
• Communicate with supervisor consistently, make use of consultation, and accept constructive feedback to improve work quality.
• Ability to communicate across departments, and interdepartmentally.
• Must be 21 years old.

About Harris County Juvenile Probation (HCJPD):

The Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) provides supervision and services to youth between the ages of 10 and 17, who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. HCJPD is the largest juvenile probation department in Texas with approximately 1,100 employees and over 3,500 youth referred to the department annually. HCJPD programs and services operate under the direction of the Harris County Juvenile Board. The Administration building is located in Downtown Houston, Texas, with several field offices throughout the County and three secure residential facilities.

• Make an impact: Working for HCJPD gives you the opportunity to continue to serve your community and be a positive role model for young people. Our pace of work enables fast learning and fosters an environment where you can make a positive impact.
• Professional Growth: We are committed to growing the capabilities of our staff. We are building a learning community where you can work with diverse individuals, explore new ways of thinking, and expand your capabilities. Our employees are Juvenile Justice Practitioners who share their knowledge to enhance each other’s growth.

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department - Be an Agent of Change:

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time
• Monday – Friday | This is considered an essential staff position
  • One late night per week and weekends on rotational basis, subject to change.
  • Work Holidays as assigned.
  • Be available for 24 hour emergency call, to include inclement weather and other events.
  • Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.

Locations:

• JJC (1200 Congress St. Houston, TX 77002)

Salary:

• Licensed with experience: $77,438.40- $85,550.40 Annually
  • Unlicensed: $67,558.40
  • Associate: $73,049.60
  • Licensed: $ 76,544.00
• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods
  
  
  

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.