Master's degree in counseling, psychology or related mental health field and three years of mental health counseling and/or crisis intervention experience. A Post-Master's Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree is equivalent to the required education and one year of related work experience in suicide and crisis intervention. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience may be considered for trainee status.
Licensure in mental health, marriage and family counseling or any related mental health field is required within two years of employment.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
Must successfully pass a Level 2 background check as specified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This positionrequires a screening through the Clearinghouse https://info.flclearinghouse.com.
This is a grant funded position. Employees are eligible for benefits but have no guarantee of permanent employment.This is responsible professional crisis intervention counseling work in the County's Crisis Center.
An employee assigned to this classification directs the daily processing of crisis calls, develops appropriate action plans for immediate client cases and coordinates needed client-supporting resources.
Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports and observation of the results obtained.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.
Assigns caseloads and related duties, and coordinates activities of staff, volunteers, and graduate students in providing counseling services to assist clients with problems of emergency or crises nature.
Assists all staff through individual and group conferences in analyzing case problems and in improving their diagnostic and helping skills.
Reviews case records and evaluates performance of staff members and recommends indicated action.
Participates in developing and implementing agency administrative policy.
Counsels clients individually and/or in groups on planned basis and in emergencies.
Trains new employees in areas such as agency policy, department procedures, and agency or government regulations.
Provides in-service training for experienced workers in areas such as new policies, procedures, and regulations.
Represents department in community or in interagency activities.
Conducts and/or directs staff development programs.
Directs and assists volunteer and graduate student counselors in effective processing of immediate telephone and walk-in requests for assistance.
Continuously reviews current case load.
Counsels and refers clients to appropriate agencies or services in the community.
Continuously evaluates and advises crisis intervention volunteers, practicum and internship graduate students.
Maintains effective liaison with assisting community mental health and other agencies.
Keeps records and maintains client files.
Drives a County and/or personal vehicle regularly to respond to crisis calls 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week; drives to offsite locations to conduct training and/or participate in outreach events.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Considerable knowledge of current techniques, principles and practices of crisis intervention and suicide counseling.
Considerable knowledge of laws, rules and regulations relating to operations of community crisis intervention centers.
Knowledge of community counseling/intervention resources available to the center.
Ability to effectively train and supervise volunteers.
Ability to respond calmly, quickly and effectively in crisis situations; ability to supervise volunteer crisis intervention counselors in crisis situations.
Ability to work with and counsel suicidal/distraught clients.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationship with assisting agencies, other County departments and employees and the general public.
Ability to ensure continuous availability of needed supplies; ability to manage daily shift operations.
Ability to keep records and maintain files.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
