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MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR ADVANCED

Recruitment #26-000313-0001

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Introduction

GRADE

19

LOCATION OF POSITION

Green Ridge Youth Center, 10700 Fifteen Mile Creek Rd, Flintstone, MD 21530 (Allegany County)

Main Purpose of Job

Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS!

The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives, creating safer communities, and fostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for the role of Mental Health Professional Counselor Advanced, so come join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS!

The Mental Health Professional Counselor Advanced is the advanced level of professional counselor providing expert clinical and therapeutic services in behavioral health to the most clinically demanding of youth involved with the Department of Juvenile Services. “Clinically Demanding Youth” include youth who have been ejected from treatment programs, youth who are profoundly disabled due to mental illness, and youth with complex behavioral health disorders. The professional counselor represents the Behavioral Health Unit in DJS operated facilities & community offices by completing forensic and placement assessments, recommending youth for services that will meet their needs, providing supportive mental health services to identified youth, and mentoring lower-level professional counselors or interns.

Some key responsibilities of this position may include, but not be limited, to the following: 
  • Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide therapeutic interventions to youth in a secure residential justice services setting. 
  • Facilitate individual, group, and family therapy sessions utilizing evidence-based and trauma-informed treatment approaches. 
  • Respond to behavioral health crises and participate in an on-call rotation to provide emergency clinical support and intervention services. 
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, educational staff, medical providers, families, direct care staff, and community stakeholders to support treatment goals and continuity of care. 
  • Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation, treatment updates, case notes, and reports in compliance with DJS, COMAR, and licensing standards.

Important: This position is primarily day and evening shifts consisting of four days of 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 1 day of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This position requires emergency on-call coverage in a rotational schedule with other licensed/certified behavioral health clinicians.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Determined by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists under the requirements for Certified Professional Counselors.

Experience: Two years of experience providing professional counseling to clients with mental health disorders by using assessment, evaluation, intervention, rehabilitation and treatment regimens. 

Notes: 

1. These requirements are established by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. The Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits does not have the authority to accept substitutions or equivalents. 

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Mental or Behavioral Health Counseling classifications or Mental or Behavioral Health Nursing and Specialist specialty codes in the counseling field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience providing mental health and/or substance use counseling services to adolescents within residential, juvenile justice, or behavioral health settings.

Experience conducting suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and safety planning with youth populations.

Knowledge of trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or other evidence-based interventions.

Experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment team environment.

Bilingual skills or experience working with culturally diverse populations.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. In accordance with Health Occupations Title 17 and Code of Maryland Regulations 10.58.01.05, candidates placed in this classification must be licensed by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.

2. Candidates appointed to positions in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please ensure that your completed application includes sufficient information to demonstrate that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All documentation related to your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date; information received after this date will not be considered. Candidates who meet the qualifications will remain on the certified eligible list for a period of one (1) year. This list may also be used to fill similar positions within this classification in the future.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may involve a rating of your application based on your education, training, and/or experience as it relates to the position's requirements. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please report all relevant experience and education. For education obtained outside the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of equivalent American education, as determined by a Foreign Credential Evaluation Service, at the time of hire. Please complete the supplemental questionnaire, if applicable. They will be used when rating applications. Please note that your answers on the supplemental questionnaire must correspond to the information provided on your completed application to receive credit. Missing or incomplete supplemental questionnaires may impact the overall rating of your completed application.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. 

If you are a Veteran applying for this position, please submit your DD 214 Long Form with your completed application to receive proper credit.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is strongly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, you may submit a completed paper application and supplemental questionnaire responses via email or fax to the addresses provided below. If using fax or regular mail, ensure each page includes your First and Last Name, the Recruitment Number (located at the top of the posting), and the last four digits of your SS#. Paper application materials must be received by 5:00 PM on the closing date for the recruitment. Applications received after this time, or those with incorrect forms, will not be accepted. Postmarks will not be considered.

Maryland Department of Juvenile Services 
OHR-Recruitment & Examination Unit 
217 E. Redwood Street 
Baltimore, MD 21202 
Attn: Recruitment #26-000313-0001  
Fax number 410-333-4188 
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

Should additional information regarding this recruitment be required, please contact the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Recruitment and Examination Unit at djs.careers@maryland.gov. Include the Recruitment Title/Number that is located at the top of the bulletin.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

DJS values the experience gained by Veterans while serving our country. Veterans are welcome to apply for all current recruitments.

Bilingual applicants and people with disabilities are welcome to apply for all recruitments.

Candidates with lived experience relating to the criminal/juvenile legal system are encouraged to apply.

We welcome experienced professionals transitioning from federal service to explore rewarding career opportunities.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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