Treatment Counselor

• Job Code: W3593
• Pay Grade:WP
• Pay Scale:$30.34-$48.48 Hourly; $63,107.20-$100,838.40 Annually
• Exempt:No

Overview

Perform professional duties related to the intake, counseling, treatment, and case management of inmates within the jail facilities. Inmate rehabilitation is provided primarily through substance abuse treatment programs with other supplemental life skills classes. Facilitate adult inmate counseling and education within group and individual settings.

Duties & Responsibilities

Note: Depending on assigned responsibilities, employees may perform some or all of the duties below.

• Conduct psychosocial assessment of adult inmates by conducting interviews, interpreting the results, and creating tailored treatment plans.

• Counsel inmates regarding program requirements and behavioral expectations through the initial inmate orientation and continuous reminders (e.g., one-on-one sessions, group sessions).

• Facilitate daily psychoeducational groups and individual counseling for topics that provide skills towards rehabilitating inmates such as substance abuse, domestic violence, parenting, life skills.

• Prepare and update case files (e.g., week-ending notes) and progress reports; complete and submit other necessary forms and reports; and follow close out procedures when inmates end the program.

• Review and maintain accountability of the maintenance of client history files.

• Communicate with various agency representatives (e.g., Court System, Department of Corrections, Department of Children and Families (DCF), etc.) to facilitate the coordination of services and gathering of information.

• Create a tailored aftercare plan with inmates which includes making referrals for community resources to assure a smooth transition upon release.

• Assist in the enhancement and development of public and private community linkages that will facilitate a smooth transition for inmates released back into the community.

• Participate in staff meetings.

• Assist in the preparation of statistical and narrative reports documenting program activities, progress toward meeting stated goals and objectives, future program strategies, and outcomes.

• Participate in various in-service training programs and other trainings in the community.

• Train other professional personnel.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of individual and group counseling methods and techniques.

• Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations concerning treatment and educational programs.

• Considerable knowledge of physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of alcohol and other drug abuse and dependency.

• Considerable knowledge of needs, problems, attitudes, and behavior patterns of substance abuse clients.

• Considerable knowledge of human behavior, social problems, and community resources.

• Considerable knowledge of professional ethics related to the counseling profession.

• Skill in the application of interviewing techniques.

• Ability to use a computer and related software.

• Ability to identify and determine individual treatment needs.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to clinically review and supervise the maintenance of client files.

• Ability to administer and interpret test results.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to solve problems.

• Ability to interpret laws, regulations, and policies.

• Ability to work in a jail environment of inmates without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all times.

Minimum Education & Experience

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education with preferred major in counseling, social work, psychology, or related human services field.

• Four years of professional level experience in substance abuse counseling; mental or behavioral health counseling, or clinical social work with an adult population.

OR

• A master's degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education with preferred major in counseling, social work, psychology, or related human services field.

• Three years of professional experience in substance abuse counseling; mental or behavioral health counseling, or clinical social work with an adult population.

Required Pre-Employment Testing

• Completion of pre-employment testing.

Additional Job Requirements

• Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required.

• Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment. Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification.

• No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck. Tattoos determined to take away from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering.

• No illegal drug sale within lifetime.

• No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months.

• No felony convictions within lifetime.

• No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.

• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.

• Successful completion of a background investigation including criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; polygraph; medical evaluation; and drug screening.

• Live within Hillsborough County or within Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter County as long as the residence is located within the 60-mile parameter of Falkenburg Road Jail at the time of appointment/employment (certified only).

• In the event of an emergency or disaster, may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by management chain, Division/District Commander, or the Sheriff (or their designee). Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.

The duties and responsibilities on this job description represent the essential functions that an employee must be able to satisfactorily perform with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations shall be made upon request to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue agency hardship. The Sheriff’s Office retains the right to change or assign other duties to this job as necessary.