Therapist

Santa Fe County • Santa Fe, NM

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Therapist provides support and structure to residents as they develop program plans and work toward goals. Under the direction of the Mental Health Manager, the Therapist provides therapy and develops, implements, and evaluates specialized treatment and psychoeducation programs. The role works closely with residents, direct care staff, supervisory staff, and a cross-disciplinary treatment team to support treatment goals, educational outcomes, and regulatory compliance.

The Therapist prepares treatment plans based on residents’ behavior, attitude, achievement, education, and overall progress; supervises and evaluates sex offender services and programs; and may participate in or supervise residents’ daily program activities. The role also provides clinical consultation and staff instruction, conducts in-service training, liaises with external parties, and assumes responsibility for assigned service areas such as client follow-up, group sessions, and family services. Services are expected to be organized, state of the art, and subject to ongoing evaluation and enhancement.

The work is primarily in an office environment at a youth/adult detention center, with some fieldwork potentially required in varying weather conditions. The position may require evening and weekend hours, and essential employees must work assigned shifts during adverse weather conditions or holidays. The incumbent may be appointed to drive a Santa Fe County vehicle and is subject to random pat-down searches. Selected candidates must pass a County-paid pre-employment physical, drug/alcohol screening, and criminal background screening, and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D driver’s license.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field.
• Required licensure in an appropriate or related field.
• Valid New Mexico Class D driver’s license; must maintain the license.
• Must pass background checks, including driver’s license, criminal history, and wanted-persons checks.
• Must pass a County-paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening, as well as a County-paid criminal background screening.
• Ability to write legible reports in English using correct grammar.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including calculating percentages.
• Ability to interact effectively with others and communicate verbally.
• Ability to plan, schedule, train, and maintain organization so work proceeds in an orderly and timely manner.
• Ability to react quickly and appropriately to emergency situations.
• Knowledge of standards of care and programming for delinquent youth in custody, dysfunctional behavior, the juvenile justice system, and family, group, and individual counseling techniques.
• Ability to deal effectively and therapeutically with dysfunctional behavior.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Manual and finger dexterity.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapy under the direction of the Mental Health Manager.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate specialized treatment programs and psychoeducation programs.
• Participate with and/or supervise residents in daily program activities, including structured recreation, groups, and other activities.
• Prepare treatment plans based on residents’ behavior, attitude, achievement, education, and overall progress.
• Supervise and evaluate sex offender services and programs for residents.
• Assist supervisory staff in instructing clinical staff in the performance of counseling duties.
• Work closely with Direct Care staff to support treatment goals and educational outcomes.
• Model responsible behavior in daily work.
• Assist the Shift Supervisor and Shift Supervisor Assistant in directing a cross-disciplinary treatment team.
• Conduct in-service training and clinical consultations, and help ensure regulatory compliance.
• Serve as a liaison with external contacts, including probation officers, family members, attorneys, and other interested parties.
• Explain programs to staff and work with them to provide integrated services.
• Assume responsibility for assigned service areas, such as client follow-up, group sessions, and family services.
• Participate in staff meetings by sharing observations and recommendations to identify and solve problems and support teamwork.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding employees and participants.
• Plan and implement therapy programs and respond effectively to dysfunctional behavior and emergency situations.
• Drive a Santa Fe County vehicle when appointed to do so in the performance of duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time