TJJD - Program Specialist III-VI - Health Specialist III-VI - Mental Health Professional - (BWD) - 51779 (00051779)
Organization: TEXAS JUVENILE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Primary Location: Texas-Brownwood
Work Locations: Ron Jackson 611 FM 3254 Brownwood 76801-9032
Job: Community and Social Service
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
State Job Code: 1572 1573, 1574, 1575
Salary Admin Plan: B
Grade: 21 23, 25
Salary (Pay Basis): 6,183.19 - 8,572.44 (Monthly)
Number of Openings: 1
Overtime Status: Exempt
Job Posting: Aug 7, 2025, 4:40:46 PM
Closing Date: Aug 17, 2025, 11:59:00 PM
Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Career Ladder Promotion Opportunity: This position is in the approved TJJD career ladder for Heath Specialists. Personnel in this career ladder have the working title of Mental Health Professional. Placement on the career ladder is dependent upon education, licensure, and experience. Mental Health Professionals may be promoted based on meeting the established eligibility criteria per agency policy until they reach the top level of the ladder. Progression to the highest pay level on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and performance.
TJJD addresses the multiple and complex needs of the youth committed to the agency as well as their families through a trauma informed multi-disciplinary integrated approach that includes implementation of the agency approved Texas Model of Trauma Informed Corrections and a Mental Health Treatment Program (MHTP). The MHTP provides enhanced psychiatric and psychological assistance to youth diagnosed with moderate to severe mental health problems and/or illnesses, which allows the general rehabilitation case managers to focus on risk reduction and protective factor enhancement strategies in order to reduce the risk of reoffending. This collaboration allows for holistic and individualized treatment of youth in need of MHTP services.
Provides a range of direct psychological services to youth adjudicated delinquent of felony offenses and committed to the agency by a juvenile court. Conducts trauma informed groups, individual, family, trauma, and crisis counseling sessions; and administers and interprets psychological evaluations of youth at risk of suicide or in need of specialized treatment services. Assists in monitoring the agency’s Texas Model of Trauma Informed Corrections treatment program, and reviews and monitors specialized treatment programs. Assists with related in-service training for facility staff. Collaborates with facility administrators, specialized treatment, case management or program specialist staff, parole officers, and contracted staff, as well as halfway house staff. Participates in or leads evaluations of programs in high or medium restriction facilities, or contracted programs. Participates in Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) staffing for youth transitioning into the community and as they exit the agency system. May train, lead, assign, and/or prioritize the work of others.
May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, different shift patterns, be on-call, and travel occasionally.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Requirements for Health Specialist V: Master’s degree with major course work in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related field
1-23 months of full-time wage-earning experience as a licensed mental health professional; and

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• 
  
  
  
• Knowledge of psychometrics and psychological principles including behavior modification.

• Knowledge of diagnostic criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM V), and the Texas Education Association for the evaluation of serious emotional disturbance.
• Knowledge of psychology and related disciplines; and of psychological tests, measurements, and treatment techniques and practices.
• Knowledge of Juvenile risk assessment, treatment practices and principles, family interventions, and regulatory standards and laws.
• Knowledge of or ability to acquire knowledge of TJJD and its program management processes and techniques.
• Skill in facilitating individual and group counseling sessions with juvenile offenders.
• Skill in conducting family counseling and family reintegration sessions.
• Skill in interviewing, evaluation and assessment, and in making appropriate decisions and recommendations regarding treatment options.
• Skill in training and/or teaching others.
• Skill in maintaining accurate records and files.
• Skill and willingness to physically restrain youth in the appropriate manner, maintain order and discipline, and act quickly in emergencies.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workloads to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to function as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Ability to provide services to youth in a correctional setting with a wide variety of temperaments (volatile, mentally, ill, suicidal) and specialized needs (chemically dependent, sexual offenders, emotionally disturbed, etc.).
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, with possible occurrences of extreme heightened stress.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to direct the activities of youth.
• Ability to apply the agency’s doctrine to youth which includes the ability to treat youth with respect in all situations.
• Ability to intervene and correct behavior and facilitate group discussions and activities.
• Ability to recognize when decisions need to be made, process information logically, make decisions, and demonstrate the soundness of those decisions.
• Ability to read, write, and operate a computer on a regular basis using applicable computer software.
• Ability to participate in ongoing didactic training as scheduled by the agency.
• Ability to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, different shift patterns, be on-call, and travel occasionally.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts to devise solutions to problems.

Conducts trauma informed psychological evaluations (including stage assessment), suicide risk assessments, and suicide monitoring.
Develops behavior modification interventions and other clinical evaluations and incorporates specific recommendations regarding transition and re-entry planning and risk assessment.
Participates in Administrative, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings.
Conducts individual, group, trauma, and crisis counseling sessions; and facilitates family reintegration services, as appropriate.
Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment (MDT) team or Youth Service Teams, (YST), provides clinical consultation relating to assessment (risks), treatment (needs), intervention strategies, and behavioral modifications to members of the MDT team and other staff.
Monitors youth receiving treatment by contracted service providers.
Contributes to the development, maintenance, and delivery of in-service training for facility staff as it relates to the agency’s rehabilitation and treatment programs.
Documents direct services provided to youth and families.
Engages in activities designed to enhance professional development and to maintain current licensure or certification.
Coordinates and collaborates with program staff in program planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of agency program(s).
Provides advice and counsel by interpreting policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to the program.
Assists in developing program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals in accordance with program objectives and goals.
May analyze the application of and variations within programs to develop action plans for improving or initiating new programs.
Provide training to staff group facilitation and treatment modalities.
Performs a variety of related duties, not listed, determined and assigned, as needed, by the supervisor.

Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:

• Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.
• Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested timeframes.

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.
Actively embody and support the Texas Model by demonstrating its core values in daily tasks and interactions with others.
Qualifications