Mental Health Professional Counselor Advanced

State of Maryland•Washington County, MD

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives, creating safer communities, and fostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for the role of Mental Health Professional Counselor Advanced, so come join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS! The Mental Health Professional Counselor Advanced is the advanced level of professional counselor providing expert clinical and therapeutic services in behavioral health to the most clinically demanding of youth involved with the Department of Juvenile Services. “Clinically Demanding Youth” include youth who have been ejected from treatment programs, youth who are profoundly disabled due to mental illness, and youth with complex behavioral health disorders. The professional counselor represents the Behavioral Health Unit in DJS operated facilities & community offices by completing forensic and placement assessments, recommending youth for services that will meet their needs, providing supportive mental health services to identified youth, and mentoring lower-level professional counselors or interns.

Requirements

Education: Determined by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists under the requirements for Certified Professional Counselors.
Experience: Two years of experience providing professional counseling to clients with mental health disorders by using assessment, evaluation, intervention, rehabilitation and treatment regimens.
In accordance with Health Occupations Title 17 and Code of Maryland Regulations 10.58.01.05, candidates placed in this classification must be licensed by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
Candidates appointed to positions in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing gender-responsive and trauma-informed assessment and counseling services addressing the unique mental health and/or substance use needs of adolescent females within a residential juvenile justice or residential behavioral health setting.
Experience conducting psychosocial evaluations and behavioral health assessments with adolescent females.
Experience providing gender-responsive individual and group interventions that address areas that are relevant to many adolescent females, including self-worth, healthy relationships, trauma recovery, emotional wellness, body image, peer relationships, and life skills development.
Experience developing and implementing individualized treatment plans that incorporate gender-responsive principles.
Experience conducting suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and safety planning with youth populations.
Experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment team environment.
Bilingual skills or experience working with culturally diverse populations.

Responsibilities

Complete admissions interviews, psychosocial evaluations, and behavioral health assessments.
Provide supportive counseling and facilitate psychoeducation groups.
Provide crisis services to include suicide risk assessments, debriefings, and service plans.
Provide consultation and serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation and reports in compliance with DJS, COMAR, and licensing standards.