MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR ADVANCED

GRADE 19

LOCATION OF POSITION Victor Cullen Center Sabillasville, MD Main Purpose of Job Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS! The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives, creating safer communities, and fostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for our Mental Health Professional Counselor Advanced role, so join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS! The position is the advanced level of professional counselor providing expert clinical and therapeutic services in behavioral health to the most clinically demanding of youth involved with the Department of Juvenile Services. “Clinically Demanding Youth” include youth who have been ejected from treatment programs, youth who are profoundly disabled due to mental illness, and youth with complex behavioral health disorders. The professional counselor represents the Behavioral Health Unit in DJS operated facilities & community offices by completing forensic and placement assessments, recommending youth for services that will meet their needs, providing supportive mental health services to identified youth, and mentoring lower-level professional counselors or interns. Key Responsibilities Complete admissions interviews, psychosocial evaluations, and behavioral health assessments. Provide supportive counseling and facilitate psychoeducation groups. Provide crisis services to include suicide risk assessments, debriefings, and service plans. Provide consultation and serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation and reports in compliance with DJS, COMAR, and licensing standards. Important: The work schedule will be either 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. OR 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., depending on facility and client needs. This position requires emergency on-call coverage in a rotational schedule with other licensed/certified behavioral health clinicians.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Determined by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists under the requirements for Certified Professional Counselors. Experience: Two (2) years of experience providing professional counseling to clients with mental health disorders by using assessment, evaluation, intervention, rehabilitation and treatment regimens. Note: 1. These requirements are established by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. The Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits does not have the authority to accept substitutions or equivalents. 2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Mental or Behavioral Health Counseling classifications or Mental or Behavioral Health Nursing and Specialist specialty codes in the counseling field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience providing gender-responsive and trauma-informed assessment and counseling services addressing the unique mental health and/or substance use needs of adolescent females within a residential juvenile justice or residential behavioral health setting. Experience conducting psychosocial evaluations and behavioral health assessments with adolescent females. Experience providing gender-responsive individual and group interventions that address areas that are relevant to many adolescent females, including self-worth, healthy relationships, trauma recovery, emotional wellness, body image, peer relationships, and life skills development. Experience developing and implementing individualized treatment plans that incorporate gender-responsive principles. Experience conducting suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and safety planning with youth populations. Experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment team environment. Bilingual skills or experience working with culturally diverse populations.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

In accordance with Health Occupations Title 17 and Code of Maryland Regulations 10.58.01.05, candidates placed in this classification must be licensed by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Candidates appointed to positions in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. DJS values the experience gained by Veterans while serving our country. Veterans are welcome to apply for all current recruitments. Bilingual applicants and people with disabilities are welcome to apply for all recruitments. Candidates with lived experience relating to the criminal/juvenile legal system are encouraged to apply. We welcome experienced professionals transitioning from federal service to explore rewarding career opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Maryland