Director of Mental Health Services

Director Of Mental Health Services

The Director of Mental Health Services provides leadership, clinical oversight, and coordination of mental health services for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. This position is responsible for overseeing the delivery of psychological services, conducting psychological and forensic evaluations, providing clinical consultation and supervision, and supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of mental health programming within the agency. The Director works collaboratively with juvenile probation officers, detention staff, court personnel, families, and community providers to identify the mental health needs of youth and coordinate appropriate interventions. This position provides leadership and professional guidance to mental health staff while ensuring the delivery of effective, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate services. The Director plays an integral role in supporting the agency's mission by promoting rehabilitation, addressing the underlying mental health and behavioral needs of youth, and facilitating successful transitions back into their families and communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment and Forensic Evaluation

• Conducts comprehensive psychological and forensic evaluations for youth referred by the juvenile court or juvenile probation department.
• Administers, scores, and interprets psychological assessments to evaluate intellectual, emotional, behavioral, personality, and adaptive functioning.
• Assesses mental health needs, trauma history, substance use, behavioral concerns, and risk factors to inform treatment recommendations and case planning.
• Prepares comprehensive psychological reports and provides expert testimony and clinical recommendations to the court, as appropriate.
• Conducts clinical assessments to determine eligibility for specialized treatment programs and appropriate levels of care.

Clinical Services and Treatment Coordination

• Oversees the delivery of mental health services to youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
• Provides individual, group, and family therapy as clinically indicated.
• Develops and oversees individualized treatment plans and monitors progress toward identified treatment goals.
• Oversees specialized treatment services addressing mental health disorders, trauma, substance use, problematic sexual behavior, emotional dysregulation, and other behavioral concerns.
• Coordinates mental health services for youth in detention, residential programs, and community-based supervision.
• Collaborates with psychiatrists, medical providers, families, and community agencies to facilitate continuity of care.
• Oversees discharge planning, family reintegration, and transitions to community-based mental health services.
• Provides clinical consultation and guidance regarding youth experiencing psychiatric crises, suicidal ideation, aggression, or other significant behavioral concerns.

Program Development and Administration

• Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of mental health and specialized treatment programs within the agency.
• Develops and supports evidence-based interventions and programming to address the clinical and behavioral needs of youth.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and implements improvements to enhance service delivery and treatment outcomes.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to develop strategies that promote rehabilitation, emotional and behavioral stability, and successful community reintegration.
• Establishes and maintains clinical policies, procedures, and protocols to support consistent and effective mental health service delivery.
• Participates in agency leadership initiatives, strategic planning, and program development.
• Assists with departmental budget planning, resource allocation, and the identification of opportunities to enhance mental health services.
• Ensures mental health programming and clinical practices comply with applicable professional, ethical, legal, and agency standards.

Clinical Supervision and Leadership

• Provides leadership, supervision, and professional guidance to mental health staff, trainees, and other designated personnel.
• Oversees clinical service delivery and promotes professional development, accountability, and collaboration among mental health team members.
• Provides clinical consultation regarding psychological assessment, treatment planning, behavioral interventions, crisis management, and complex clinical cases.
• Collaborates with juvenile probation officers, detention personnel, court staff, and other professionals to coordinate comprehensive services for youth.
• Provides training and education to agency staff and court personnel regarding adolescent mental health, trauma-informed care, behavioral interventions, and specialized treatment programming.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings, treatment planning, and agency initiatives designed to improve the quality of care provided to youth.
• Promotes a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and effective interdisciplinary communication.
• Ensures accurate clinical documentation and adherence to applicable professional, ethical, and agency standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision and leadership to Mental Health Services staff.
• Supervises licensed and unlicensed mental health professionals, interns, practicum students, and other assigned personnel.
• Assigns and monitors work responsibilities and ensures appropriate workload distribution.
• Provides clinical consultation, supervision, and guidance regarding complex cases.
• Participates in the recruitment, selection, onboarding, and training of Mental Health Services staff.
• Addresses performance and personnel concerns in coordination with agency administration.
• Ensures staff compliance with agency policies, ethical standards, professional licensing requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Oversee the quality and consistency of clinical documentation, treatment planning, assessment, and service delivery.
• Promotes effective communication, collaboration, accountability, and professional development within the department.
• Collaborates with agency leadership regarding staffing, departmental operations, resource needs, and program priorities.
• Provides overall leadership and oversight of the Mental Health Services Department.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of psychological assessment, human development, adolescent psychopathology, behavioral interventions, and evidence-based treatment approaches.
• Working knowledge of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), psychiatric diagnoses, and psychotropic medications commonly prescribed to children and adolescents.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, risk assessment, and the unique mental health needs of youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
• Ability to administer, score, interpret, and integrate psychological assessment instruments into comprehensive clinical and forensic evaluations.
• Ability to develop individualized treatment recommendations and provide effective psychological interventions for youth with complex mental health and behavioral needs.
• Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment, analyze complex information, and provide appropriate recommendations to the juvenile court and multidisciplinary treatment teams.
• Ability to provide clinical supervision, consultation, and professional guidance to mental health staff and other agency personnel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate clinical findings and recommendations to youth, families, court personnel, and other professionals.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize clinical responsibilities, meet court deadlines, and coordinate treatment and discharge planning.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, exercise discretion, and adhere to applicable ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and agency policies.
• Ability to respond effectively to behavioral crises and provide clinical guidance regarding crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety planning.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage competing priorities, and support the continued development and improvement of mental health services.

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of required criminal background checks and drug screening following a conditional offer of employment.
• Employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing and testing based on reasonable suspicion in accordance with applicable county policies.
• Official educational transcripts and documentation of professional licensure may be required during the hiring process.
• Must be able to work effectively with youth exhibiting significant emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.
• Must be able to respond to crisis situations and assist with the implementation of appropriate intervention and de-escalation strategies to maintain the safety of youth and staff.

Education and Experience

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Clinical, Counseling, Forensic, or School Psychology from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of one (1) year of clinical experience providing psychological assessment, treatment, or related mental health services.
• Experience working with children and adolescents, preferably within juvenile justice, forensic, residential treatment, or other behavioral health settings.

License and Certificates

• Must possess and maintain an active license as a Psychologist issued by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Texas driver's license and automobile liability insurance coverage meeting the minimum requirements established by law.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout office, detention, and other agency