RESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR II

Nueces County

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Counselor II performs administrative, assessment, counseling, and case management work for residents in a residential services program. The role reports to the Clinical Supervisor and follows applicable laws, CJAD-TDCJ standards, CSCD policies and procedures, professional ethics, and licensing requirements. The position conducts initial screening for program appropriateness, maintains and audits case files, prepares psychosocial histories and individual treatment plans, and provides individual, group, and family counseling as required. It also supports resident orientation, treatment groups, life-skills instruction, referrals to community services, progress reviews, discharge documentation, and aftercare planning. The counselor monitors resident progress, helps residents identify needs and goals, coordinates services and resources, and participates in clinical staffing, hearings, grievances, and disciplinary matters. Court testimony may be required. The work takes place on a correctional campus, where employees must move freely about the location.

Requirements

High school diploma or high school equivalency (GED).
Hold one of the following credentials at the time of application: Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Counselor Intern (CI), or Licensed Professional Counselor Intern (LPCI).
Demonstrate knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the Texas criminal justice system and substance abuse counseling principles.
Demonstrate knowledge of automated systems and their applications to service programs, and of criminology, psychology, behavior modification, case management, counseling theories, social casework techniques, and relevant legal statutes and regulations.
Demonstrate knowledge of community resources, Cognitive Programming, Twelve Step Recovery Programs, and other therapeutic and relapse-prevention methodologies.
Demonstrate applicable knowledge of and adherence to professional codes of ethics and standards.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective relationships and work effectively with officials, agencies, employees, defendants, and the general public.
Work with hostile, aggressive, and criminally minded populations.
Understand and follow directions, instructions, policies, and operational plans; gather, analyze, and evaluate facts; and develop individual case plans and dispositions.
Plan and execute work and exercise good judgment.
If using a personal, CSCD, or County vehicle for CSCD business, possess a valid Texas driver’s license and appropriate liability insurance.
Meet the physical demands of the role, including regularly sitting and demonstrating manual dexterity; speaking and hearing frequently; occasionally reaching with hands and arms and lifting or moving up to 25 pounds; and using close vision and adjusting focus.
A person employed as a peace officer is ineligible for appointment with the CSCD.
A person currently on probation, bond, pre-trial bond, deferred supervision, parole, or serving a sentence for a criminal offense is ineligible for employment with the CSCD.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience is preferred.
Harm reduction credentials and training are a plus.
Familiarity with Theranest, Microsoft Office, and email.

Responsibilities

Conduct initial screening and assessment to determine whether prospective residents are appropriate for admission to Residential Services.
Maintain proper case-file order and required documentation, and conduct quality-assurance audits of active and closed files.
Prepare psychosocial histories and develop and monitor residents’ Individual Treatment Plans.
Provide individual, group, and family counseling as required.
Present resident progress in clinical staffing for level advancement and prepare required documentation.
Teach life skills, facilitate treatment groups, and refer residents to community agencies for education and treatment.
Orient new residents to program rules, rights, regulations, policies, procedures, conduct expectations, and possible consequences for infractions.
Identify residents’ strengths, weaknesses, problems, and needs; prioritize issues and establish immediate, short-term, and long-term goals and treatment approaches.
Explore residents’ problems, attitudes, feelings, and the ramifications of their problems.
Perform case management by coordinating services, resources, family members, and other significant people within a planned framework, and assist residents with decision-making.
Keep current on residential program, CSCD, and CJAD policies and procedures.
Provide factual and objective court testimony when called upon.
Complete discharge summaries for court hearings, probation reviews, and discharges.
Counsel residents during acute emotional or physical distress and address other concerns.
Supervise and monitor residents’ progress and develop aftercare plans with residents for Residential Supervision Officers before graduation.
Coordinate documentation of referrals to outside agencies.
Attend in-house training and maintain educational and training requirements for CJAD and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Coordinate with Treatment Assistants and Treatment Supervisors to address problems and ensure services meet program guidelines.
Staff or participate in hearings involving major disciplinary or problematic clients and participate in grievances and disciplinary issues.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.