Licensed Professional Counselor

Professional Counselor

The Professional Counselor provides professional mental health counseling services to youth housed at the Smith County Juvenile Detention Center. The LPC works within a secure juvenile justice environment and collaborates with detention staff, probation officers, medical personnel, educators, and other treatment professionals to assess, treat, and support detained youth. Services are trauma-informed and focused on behavioral health stabilization, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling services to detained youth
• Conduct psychosocial assessments, mental health screenings, and clinical evaluations
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans
• Provide crisis intervention, risk assessments, and de-escalation services as needed
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical documentation and records
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and case reviews
• Collaborate with juvenile probation officers, detention staff, and community providers
• Ensure compliance with ethical standards, state regulations, and county policies
• Provide referrals and coordinate continuity of care upon youth release
• Maintain required licensure and continuing education requirements

Required Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of adolescent development, behavioral health disorders, and evidence-based treatment approaches
• Strong assessment, counseling, and clinical judgment skills
• Ability to manage crisis situations calmly and professionally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively in a secure detention or correctional environment

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related mental health field from an accredited institution
• Experience working with adolescents preferred
• Experience in juvenile justice, detention, residential treatment, or trauma-informed care preferred

• Current and unrestricted Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Texas Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA)

• Work is performed in a secure juvenile detention facility
• Regular interaction with detained youth
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check and security clearance

Benefits

HOLIDAYS Smith County employees enjoy 12 holidays a year. These are:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• President's Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• Administrative Day (Employee's Choice)

Each year, Commissioner's Court sets the official holiday schedule.

VACATION LEAVE 1 day earned per month (12 days per year). After 5 years of service, 1 1/4 days earned per month (15 per year). After 10 years service, 1 1/2 days earned per month (18 per year).

SICK LEAVE 1 day given per month. Allowed to accrue maximum of 80 days.

SICK LEAVE POOL Smith County has established a Sick Leave Pool on a voluntary, contributory basis.

MILITARY LEAVE Granted up to 15 calendar days per year.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE Unpaid leave may be granted by Department Head for up to 60 days (over 60 days requires Commissioners Court approval) for purposes of: (1) education that may contribute to the benefit of the County, (2) public service assignment, (3) attending to important personal business.

CITIZENSHIP LEAVE Provides that employees receive normal pay during period called for jury duty which includes both the jury selection process and, if selected, the time the employee actually spends serving on the jury; serving as a subpoenaed witness; and for the purpose of voting.

FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE Provides for up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons during a 12-month period, and up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave in a single 12-month period to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness.

MEDICAL INSURANCE Smith County offers a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan to its employees and employees' eligible dependents. The plan is administered by The Health Plan.

DRUG CARD COVERAGE Employee prescription costs are $10 Copay for Generic, $30 Copay* for Formulary Brand, $45 Copay* for Non-Formulary Brand. Mail service is available for maintenance prescriptions. 90-day max supply retail or mail order.

*Mandatory Generic - if generic is available, you will pay the difference between the generic drug and the Brand, plus the Brand copay. DENTAL INSURANCE Preventative checkups and cleaning (2 per year) at no cost to employee. Dental work after a $50 deductible per year (maximum of $150 per family) has maximum benefit of $2,000 per year per covered person. Basic services are covered at 80%, major services at 80% and orthodontics (up to age 19) at 50% up to $1,500 lifetime benefit.

LIFE INSURANCE Up to $10,000 paid for by County. Additional supplemental coverage available at employee's expense.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE Furnished at no cost to employee. Pays 50% of life amount for loss of limb or eye; 100% for loss of 2 limbs or death due to an accident.

RETIREMENT Employees are eligible to retire: after 20 years of service regardless of age, at age 60 with at least 8 years of service or when age plus service equals 75.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION A payroll deduction savings plan which allows employees to contribute a portion of their salary before Federal taxes - to invest in a tax-favored supplemental retirement program. For additional benefits information click on the link below: