BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Job Posting

Location of (1) Position(s) to be Filled: Department of Correction, Sumner County

A Motor Vehicle Records screening will be conducted prior to employment. This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Master's Degree from an accredited university in one of the following: Social Work, Human Development, Psychology or Counseling. Other master's degrees in the social and/or behavioral sciences that provide a pathway to licensure may be acceptable after review and approval by the Director of Behavioral Health/designee.

Overview

This full-time position provides behavioral health services within Community Supervision to support justice-involved individuals. Under general supervision, the role delivers behavioral health guidance, resource coordination, and structured interventions for individuals seeking mental health and substance use support. Using evidence-based curricula, the position facilitates group programming and conducts individualized interventions focused on promoting behavioral change and treatment engagement.

Employees in this classification are responsible for completing assessments, facilitating group sessions, developing individualized support plans, responding to crisis situations, maintaining accurate and timely documentation, and connecting individuals with appropriate community resources to support progress toward personal goals.

This role operates as part of an integrated team that includes the justice-involved individual, Probation and Parole Officers, and the Behavioral Health Specialist to encourage behavioral change and compliance with court-ordered conditions. Travel may be required to provide services or facilitate programming at various offices within the district.

Responsibilities

1. Conducting substance use and mental health assessments, developing treatment plans, managing crisis situations, facilitating groups, organizing case files, providing case management services, coordinating referrals to Community resources, and conducting individual counseling or guidance sessions.
2. Facilitating treatment groups utilizing evidence-based curriculum and providing direct support and guidance to justice-involved individuals experiencing substance use and mental health challenges, while serving as a member of an integrated team.
3. Conducting behavioral health screenings and assessments and coordinating referrals to appropriate agencies based on justice-involved individuals' needs and available resources. Utilizing a trauma-informed approach and motivational interviewing techniques to facilitate referrals, address barriers to engagement, and promote justice-involved individuals¿ success.
4. Developing and monitoring individualized treatment plans in collaboration with justice-involved individuals. Advocating for justice involved individuals with outside providers, as needed, to ensure access to appropriate services and support. Communicating relevant updates and changes with Probation and Parole Officers in a collaborative and coordinated manner. Supporting justice involved individuals in developing autonomy and personal accountability while assisting them in navigating probation and parole requirements.
5. Develops and monitors individualized treatment plans in collaboration with justice-involved individuals. Advocates with community providers to ensure access to appropriate services. Communicates relevant updates with Probation and Parole officers to support coordinated supervision efforts.
6. Collaborating with treatment agencies and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate additional interventions as needed. Including the Probation and Parole Officer, when appropriate, to support justice-involved individuals' progress. Utilizing a person-centered approach in all coordination efforts.
7. Travel may be required to support office coverage, ensuring justice-involved individuals receive timely services and support, and maintaining consistent facilitation of groups. Travel may also be required to attend evidence-based curriculum trainings as available and required.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

1. Manages Conflict
2. Decision Quality
3. Customer Focus
4. Communicates Effectively
5. Resourcefulness

Knowledges:

1. Behavioral Health Practices & Procedures
2. Customer and Personal Service

Skills:

1. Time Management
2. Complex Problem Solving
3. Critical Thinking

Abilities:

1. Written Comprehension
2. Problem Sensitivity

Tools & Equipment:

1. Electronic Devices
2. Office Equipment