County of Alameda

Youth and Family Services Lead Therapist (#6499)

Bargaining Unit: SEIU 1021 - Social Workers (005)
$52.28-$60.26 Hourly / $3,921.00-$4,519.50 BiWeekly /
$8,495.50-$9,792.25 Monthly / $101,946.00-$117,507.00 Yearly


DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, in a law enforcement environment, provides professional level clinical, counseling and case management services; plans, organizes, directs and reviews the work of Associate Youth and Family Therapists; provides clinical support to Associate Youth and Family Services Therapists seeking clinical licensure; assists the department with programmatic activities and makes recommendations; provides Quality Assurance oversight and clinical file audits; and, perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Positions in this class are located in the Youth and Family Services Bureau (YFSB) of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and report to a Youth and Family Services Supervisor.

The Youth and Family Services Lead Therapist is the professional-level class in this series. Incumbents in this class perform the full range of clinical and counseling services to the Bureau’s clientele; distribute work assignments and provide professional guidance and mentoring directed toward the development of professional abilities to the Youth and Family Services Therapist and is certified to provide clinical supervision to Associate Youth and Family Services Therapists. As such, incumbents in this class must be fully trained and professionally skilled upon entrance into the class and be certified by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to serve as formal clinical lead to registered Marriage Family Therapist Interns and Associate Clinical Social Workers seeking clinical licensure.

This class is distinguished from the next-lower class of Youth and Family Services Therapist in that the latter does not provide clinical supervision to Associate Youth and Family Services Therapists  This class is further distinguished from the next higher class of Youth and Family Services Supervisor in that the latter  is responsible  for planning and organizing the clinical functions of Bureau programs and activities and has formal supervisory responsibility for all clinical staff assigned to the Bureau.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1.  Plans, organizes and directs the work of Youth and Family Services Therapists.  Provides professional guidance, direction and mentoring to therapists, and trainees as assigned.  Serve as formal clinical lead to Associate Youth and Family Services Therapists seeking clinical licensure.

2.  Reviews the work of paraprofessional staff and provides input to the Youth and Family Services Supervisor concerning staff operations and individual performance within the context of professional and counseling activities.

3.  Consults with the Youth and Family Services Supervisor to obtain guidance and direction concerning professional activities or problems.  Recommends methods of addressing operational, staff performance or clinical issues. Receives and acts on direction received from the Youth and Family Services Supervisor.

4.  Consults with and receives guidance from the YFSB Lieutenant and/or Captain and other sworn members of the Sheriff’s Office concerning the appropriate handling of criminal and investigation cases.

5.  Consults with persons of other disciplines and sworn members whenever an especially difficult or atypical situation occurs.

6.  Provides crisis intervention, counseling and case management services to youth and their families, individuals and couples including matters involving domestic violence, juvenile misdemeanors, first-time offenders, juvenile victims of crime, and youth exhibiting at-risk behavior.

7.  Guides clients in understanding their respective problems and the contributing personal, social and economic factors.  Assists clients in developing realistic treatment plans to resolve problems and address mental health symptoms.  Advises clients on community resources and make referrals or other arrangements for them as necessary based on their risks and needs.

8.  Works with families of clients to elicit their cooperation in treatment programs or commitment proceedings.  Works with community agencies as required to assist clients with their treatment plans and in coping with environmental needs such as housing, medical care and employment.

9.  Serves as formal or informal liaison with other mental health professionals and service providers including courts, schools, private therapists, hospitals, probation and other agencies to advocate and support clients and their families.

10.  Prepares reports, case summaries and correspondence.  Documents hours providing clinical care. Maintains clinical files for clients which includes case notes, intake assessments, treatment plans, and other clinical documentation. Prepares monthly statistics and Time Surveys for tracking time spent related to Medi-Cal Administrative activities.

11.  Attends staff conferences and individual/group training sessions. Presents case history for review and discussion with other staff members for the purposes of developing case plans.

12.  Provides support and brief counseling service to law enforcement personnel in child physical and sexual abuse intake, investigation and follow-up, crisis intervention and juvenile custody procedures.

13.  At the request of law enforcement staff, responds to family dispute calls and other in-field emergency situations. May provide support and counseling to department staff in crisis situations (e.g., death of an officer or death notifications.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the class of Youth and Family Services Therapist, or Behavioral Health Clinician II in the Alameda County classified service.

Or II

Education:

Possession of a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in social work, marriage and family therapy, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, counseling, or a closely related field.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time post-licensure experience working as a mental health/behavioral health clinician,  providing clinical counseling and/or case management services in a law enforcement, outpatient facility, hospital or other clinical or agency setting. (Note:  previous experience involving lead or supervisory responsibilities is desirable.)

AND

License:

Possession of a valid clinical license in Marriage Family Therapy (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW), Clinical Psychology, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), issued by the applicable licensing authority: California Board of Behavioral Sciences or California Board of Psychology.

Some positions in this class may require possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Special Requirements:

In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in this classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day on the job.

Appointees to this class must be eligible under Section 1833.1 of the California Code of Regulations to be certified by the Board of Behavioral Sciences to serve as clinical lead to graduate interns seeking clinical licensure.

Prior to appointment to this class, prospective appointees must pass a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

NOTE:   The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.


KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE:   The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:
  • Crisis intervention and intake procedures. 
  • Theory, principles, and techniques of counseling and/or psychotherapy. 
  • Social, emotional and behavioral aspects of mental disorders, emotional disturbances and at-risk behavior characteristics exhibited by youth. 
  • Principles of maturation, social adjustment, human/child development, normal and abnormal behavior, and general psychology. 
  • Psychotherapy, case management and other methods of counseling, including but not limited to therapy with children, adolescents, families, couples, and groups.  
  • Scope, activities and functions of the various mental health facilities including but not limited to public and private community agencies concerned with mental health.    
Ability to:
  • Function effectively in a highly structured law enforcement environment and adhere to established policy, procedure and protocol. 
  • Perform crisis intervention and crisis intake. 
  • Effectively train counseling interns. 
  • Apply clinical and case management principles and concepts.   
  • Develop effective and productive therapeutic relationships with clients.  
  • Work effectively with law enforcement staff in the handling of dispute and/or crisis calls. 
  • Secure and systematically record accurate social and personal data. 
  • Maintain necessary statistics; and prepare comprehensive statistical reports. 
  • Utilize community resources in case management. 
  • Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships and work effectively with others. 
  • Write and speak effectively.


CLASS SPEC HISTORY

KU:pf 6/18/02
Newspec: 6499.doc
Csc Date: 3/26/03
LN:po Revised 11/30/06
SC Date: 5/21/08
MY:cs  Revised 2/10/15 C
SC Date: 2/18/15
AM:jf Revised 4/26/18
CSC Date: 10/24/18


BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Vision or Vision Reimbursement
  • Share the Savings
  • Basic Life Insurance 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
  • County Allowance Credit
  • Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 12 paid holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Catastrophic Sick Leave
  • Group Auto/Home Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Guaranteed Ride Home
  • Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
  • Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
  • Child Care Resources
  • 1st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

 




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