Inmate Treatment Counselor

JOIN OUR TEAM AS AN INMATE TREATMENT COUNSELOR!

Job Title:  Inmate Treatment Counselor

Closing Date/Time:  Thu. 12/05/24 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Salary: $60,478.00 - $84,669.00 Annually

Job Type:  Full Time

Location:  Land O' Lakes, Florida

Department:  Corrections

General Description: The Inmate Treatment Counselor position is a civilian role that works out of the Land O' Lakes Correctional Facility. This role provides clinical case management, counseling and therapeutic treatment services to inmates with substance use disorder, mental health, and co-occurring disorders incarcerated at the correctional facility. Responsible for the development and delivery of evidence-based curriculum to the inmate population to address addiction, mental health and criminogenic needs, while reducing risk factors and enhancing protective capacities.  Responsible for the development of treatment plans and linkage to community resources.

Essential Job Functions: Complete assessments and screenings to gather a comprehensive understanding of the inmate’s history, current needs and barriers to treatment.  Responsible for the development of a treatment plan and will collaborate with facility staff and community providers to meet treatment goals. Conduct discharge planning and provide referrals for continuing treatment. Assess inmates for participation into facility treatment programs and will provide orientation and behavior expectations. Assist in the development and implementation of a treatment program within the correctional facility. Develop and instruct evidence-based curriculum, to include Cognitive Behavior Therapy and/or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, both in group and individual settings. Maintain documentation of programs provided and inmate’s compliance with programs and treatment plan. Performs other related duties as required.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to develop effective education, training techniques, teaching methods, tools and aids used in instruction.
• Knowledge of current correctional practices, rules and regulations.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and accurately, determine the proper course of action and provided crisis intervention, as needed.
• Ability to process referrals to community-based providers for continuity of care post an inmate’s release from incarceration.
• Knowledge of various educational methods and ability to deliver information to a population of inmates of various ages, ethnicities, education levels and socio-economic statuses.
• Facilitate intensive individual and group sessions, demonstrating effective classroom control methods.
• Ability to manage a large caseload of inmates and provide case management and advocacy.
• Ability to utilize industry-standard assessment and screening tools to obtain comprehensive information necessary in the development of a treatment plan.
• Ability to participate in treatment meetings, staff meetings and other necessary department meetings regarding inmates involved in treatment services.
• Considerable knowledge of physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of addiction, recovery and/or relapse prevention, mental health and co-occurring disorders
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, allied agencies, community organizations and the general public.
• Ability to prepare statistical and narrative reports documenting program activities, inmate’s progress toward meeting treatment goals, future programming strategies and outcomes.

Minimum Requirements: 

PHYSICAL SKILLS/WORKING CONDITIONS:  Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written, and visual communication skills. Position may require light physical effort, to include pulling, bending, kneeling, stooping, lifting, carrying and running. This position is located at the correctional facility in Land O' Lakes and includes the potential for intermittent exposure to disagreeable elements consistent with routine conditions within a correctional facility. 

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher in counseling, rehabilitation, social work, sociology, behavioral science, psychology or related human service field.  Five (5) years' professional experience in substance abuse counseling, mental or behavioral health counseling, or clinical social work with an adult population required OR  a Master's degree and three (3) years' experience. Experience in a corrections facility or criminal justice setting preferred. 

 
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid Florida driver's license. Possession of a license/certification as a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP), Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC), or similar related human services license/certification.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Unescorted CJIS clearance as authorized by FDLE required. 

ADA STATEMENT:  A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:  All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE:  Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

PASCO COUNTY WAS VOTED ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP WORK PLACES FOR 2021