TJJD - Health Specialist V / VI / VII Mental Health Professional (GID)

Texas Department of Public Safety -
Giddings, TX

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Job Details

Full-time
$6,183.19 - $9,043.93 a month
2 days ago

Benefits

AD&D insurance
Paid holidays
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Tuition reimbursement
Employee assistance program
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Retirement plan
Paid sick time

Qualifications

Writing skills
Use of force training
Task prioritization
Computer skills

Full Job Description

Job ID

100627

Location

Giddings

Other Recruiting Location

Giddings

Number of Openings

State Job Code(s)

4165, 4167

Close Date

09/29/2026

Company

TEXAS JUVENILE JUSTICE DEPT

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Salary Admin Plan(s)

Salary Admin Grade(s)

21, 25

Salary Range

$6183.19 - 9043.93 per Month

Agency Information

We are committed to transforming lives and building safter communities by working collaboratively, communicating openly, and upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Our team models accountability, transparency, and respect, taking proactive steps to ensure the physical and emotional safety of youth, staff, and the community. We strive for excellence through continuous growth, thoughtful decision making, and mission driven collaboration, supporting one another while embracing challenges that lead to meaningful, long-term impact.

Job 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.

Levels of Work Performed by Career Ladder Level:

Health Specialist V: Performs advanced (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Health Specialist VI: Performs highly advanced (senior-level) work under minimal supervision with consider latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Program Specialist/Health Specialist VII: Performs highly advanced (senior-level) work under minimal supervision with consider latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Duties

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.

Minimum 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

AND

Eligible for one of the following Texas licenses:

- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A);

- Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA);

- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - Associate (LMFT-A);

- Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW);

- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW);

AND

Provide proof of temporary license or approved supervisory plan within 90 days of hire

AND

Obtain the following applicable Texas license within three (3) years of date of hire:

Employee hired based on:

LPC-A must obtain LPC;

Psychological Associate - training status must obtain LPA;

LMFT-A must obtain LMFT;

LMSW must obtain LCSW.

Requirements for Health Specialist VI: Master¿s degree with major course work in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field

1-23 months of full-time wage-earning experience as a licensed mental health professional; and

AND

Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following:

- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC);

- Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA);

- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT);

- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Requirements for Program Specialist VII/Health Specialist VII: Master¿s degree with major course work in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field;

AND

Two or Five (2 or 5) years of full-time wage-earning experience as a licensed mental health professional; and

AND

Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following:

- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC);

- Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA);

- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT);

- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Requirements Applicable to All Levels: Must be at least 23 years of age.

Preferred:

Experience working with adolescent offenders in residential settings.
Experience providing treatment with youth and their families in the areas of alcohol and/or other drugs, sexual behavioral problems, and youth with mental health diagnoses.
Experience/expertise on transition planning/community re-entry.

Note: Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be from an accredited educational institution.

Pre-employment conditions require acceptable results from mandatory:

pre-employment drug test;
finger printing, criminal records check, and TB testing;
Fitness-for-Duty Assessment which may include both physical and behavior evaluations.

Requirements for Continued Employment:

Obtain and maintain certification in the TJJD approved use of force techniques.
Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR.
Failure to obtain/maintain required licensure/certification will result in termination of employment.

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.

Physical Requirements

The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered when performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to perform tactile discernment

Restraining combative youth

Identify colors

Depth perception

Operate motor equipment

Heavy lifting 45 lbs. & over

Heavy carrying 45 lbs. & over

Repeated bending

Reaching above shoulder

Pushing

Pulling

Walking

Standing

Sitting

Twisting

Kneeling

Stooping

Climbing stairs

Climbing ladders

Finger/manual dexterity

Dual simultaneous grasp

Benefits

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov. Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, and career ladder advancements.

Military/Veteran Information

In order to receive veteran¿s preference, a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), VA disability rating (if applicable), or a DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) must be attached to your application.

For Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk, please visit: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

Additional Information

If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls.

If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting ¿My Job Applications¿ on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.

https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psc/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?FOCUS=Applicant

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services

Thank you for considering employment with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

SPONSORSHIP

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

How to Apply

Your application must contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of employment (month & year), name of direct supervisor and phone number, and a description of duties performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete.

Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check and any other requirements listed under Minimum Qualifications.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work in Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting.

To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login:

https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psc/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?FOCUS=Applicant

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Agency Information

Job Description

Essential Job Duties

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Physical Requirements

Benefits

Military/Veteran Information

Additional Information

How to Apply

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