Mental Health Professional Counselor Advanced

State of Maryland•Allegany, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS! 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

Determined by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists under the requirements for Certified Professional Counselors.
Two years of experience providing professional counseling to clients with mental health disorders by using assessment, evaluation, intervention, rehabilitation and treatment regimens.
Licensed by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
Possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing mental health and/or substance use counseling services to adolescents within residential, juvenile justice, or behavioral health settings.
Experience conducting suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and safety planning with youth populations.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or other evidence-based interventions.
Experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment team environment.
Bilingual skills or experience working with culturally diverse populations.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide therapeutic interventions to youth in a secure residential justice services setting.
Facilitate individual, group, and family therapy sessions utilizing evidence-based and trauma-informed treatment approaches.
Respond to behavioral health crises and participate in an on-call rotation to provide emergency clinical support and intervention services.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, educational staff, medical providers, families, direct care staff, and community stakeholders to support treatment goals and continuity of care.
Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation, treatment updates, case notes, and reports in compliance with DJS, COMAR, and licensing standards.