Abilene Zoological Gardens
Child Advocacy Center - Mental Health Counselor I/II/III
Abilene Zoological Gardens, Abilene, Texas, us, 79608
Child Advocacy Center – Mental Health Counselor I/II/III
Provide crisis intervention, assessment, counseling and advocacy services to children and non‑offending caregivers impacted by abuse and trauma. Operate as the mental health liaison for the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and community agencies.
Supervision Exercised The Mental Health Counselor I, II, and III exercise no supervision.
Important and Essential Duties Mental Health Counselor I, II, III:
Provide crisis intervention, trauma‑informed assessments and mental health psychotherapy to children and their non‑offending caregivers impacted by abuse and trauma.
Maintain case files, treatment plans, and monthly progress reports.
Provide personal advocacy for victims and offer appropriate services/information, including legal system information, victim rights, and child abuse education.
Provide testimony in court proceedings that pertain to mental health services and assist with court preparation and accompaniment for child abuse victims and their caregivers.
Respond to the CAC after‑hours for emergency cases for advocacy and crisis intervention services.
Present cases and participate in clinical review, peer review, MDT case review, and service status meetings.
Participate in initial and ongoing training as it relates to child abuse, trauma‑informed mental health services, advocacy, child sex trafficking, and investigation/court system.
Respond to community members who make inquiries, provide tours of the CAC, manage donations, and maintain storage areas.
Drive personally owned vehicle to various schools in Taylor County to provide needed therapy services.
Participate in community awareness activities.
Facilitate vicarious trauma related training for staff and MDT members.
Mental Health Counselor II, III:
Consistently conduct community awareness presentations and mental health training.
Create reports in the case tracking system, analyze data, and formulate solutions to issues.
Assist with audits, site visits, accreditation and protocol revision.
Mental Health Counselor III:
Apply for all grants and submit statistical reports to include Other Victim Assistance Grant (OVAG), Victim of Crime Act (VOCA), and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) grants.
Oversee mental health college intern program.
Present Mental Health reports and statistics, and participate in CAC Board meetings.
Assist with strategic plan and monitor progress.
Other Job Related Duties Perform other job‑related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Mental Health Counselor I:
Knowledge Of:
Trauma‑focused, evidence‑based mental health treatment modalities and best practices; community resources for families in need, self‑care techniques, Child Advocacy Center model, child abuse and its impact on family dynamics, child development; role of interagency partners in child abuse investigations.
Skill To:
Provide Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‑CBT); maintain a high level of confidentiality and handle sensitive situations and information; communicate professionally both orally and in writing; use MS‑Office and Google Suite; manage high stress situations and think critically to problem solve and resolve issues; actively listen, assess clients, create treatment plans, and thoroughly document work.
Ability To:
Adjust to change with flexibility and a positive attitude; manage significant emotional stress, use good judgment, and adhere to high professional standards; facilitate group meetings with professionals from various agencies and maintain cross‑cultural awareness; accurately enter data in case tracking system and create reports, forms and presentations; stay organized and manage time well; provide court testimony; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships internally and externally; follow City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do; perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Mental Health Counselor II:
Skill To:
Conduct professional large group presentations and trainings; create reports, analyze data, and formulate solutions to issues.
Mental Health Counselor III:
Knowledge Of:
Team‑building strategies, managing vicarious trauma in the workplace, grant writing, and broad array of mental health treatment modalities.
Skill To:
Professionally lead people and manage problems in a timely manner.
Experience and Training Guidelines For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:
Mental Health Counselor I:
Experience:
One (1) year of relevant experience as practicing mental health professional with abused children; preferred court testimony and collaboration with law enforcement, Department of Family and Protective Services, and District Attorneys.
Education/Training:
Master’s Degree in mental health counseling or social work field; Completion of the Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training and Trust‑Based Relational Intervention Training within one year of employment.
License or Certificate:
Valid Texas driver’s license or military waiver; provisional license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Mental Health Counselor II:
Experience:
Three (3) years of experience as a practicing mental health professional with abused children and collaboration with a CAC; court testimony and collaboration with law enforcement, Department of Family and Protective Services, and District Attorneys; conduct a minimum of ten (10) presentations or trainings.
Education/Training:
Master’s Degree in mental health counseling or social work field; Completion of Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training and Trust‑Based Relational Intervention Training; Completion of 24 hours of specialized training in victim advocacy and Motivational Interviewing Training (MI) provided by Public Health.
License or Certificate:
Valid Texas driver’s license or military waiver; provisional license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Mental Health Counselor III:
Experience:
Six (6) years of experience as a practicing mental health professional with abused children and collaboration with a CAC; court testimony and collaboration with law enforcement, Department of Family and Protective Services, and District Attorneys; successful submission of grant applications and reports; conduct a minimum of twenty (20) community presentations and training.
Education/Training:
Master’s Degree in mental health counseling or social work field; Completion of Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training and Trust‑Based Relational Intervention Training; 32 hours of advanced advocacy training provided by Public Health.
License or Certificate:
Valid Texas driver’s license or military waiver; provisional license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training Certification.
Special Requirements
Physical, mental, and emotional health is vital for success in a work environment with daily exposure to information and images of the abuse of children, emotional caregivers, and stressful/tense situations.
Ability to work in a standard office environment.
Ability to travel for training purposes and court testimony.
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds
Physical Demand Codes Codes For How Often:
N – No
E – Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M – Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I – Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A – Almost Never ( Code / Task:
I – Standing
M – Sitting
M – Walking
A – Lifting
A – Carrying
A – Pushing/Pulling
A – Overhead Work
M – Fine Dexterity
I – Kneeling
I – Crouching
N – Crawling
M – Bending
A – Twisting
A – Climbing
A – Balancing
E – Vision
E – Hearing
E – Talking
Other: _____________________
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Part-time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Supervision Exercised The Mental Health Counselor I, II, and III exercise no supervision.
Important and Essential Duties Mental Health Counselor I, II, III:
Provide crisis intervention, trauma‑informed assessments and mental health psychotherapy to children and their non‑offending caregivers impacted by abuse and trauma.
Maintain case files, treatment plans, and monthly progress reports.
Provide personal advocacy for victims and offer appropriate services/information, including legal system information, victim rights, and child abuse education.
Provide testimony in court proceedings that pertain to mental health services and assist with court preparation and accompaniment for child abuse victims and their caregivers.
Respond to the CAC after‑hours for emergency cases for advocacy and crisis intervention services.
Present cases and participate in clinical review, peer review, MDT case review, and service status meetings.
Participate in initial and ongoing training as it relates to child abuse, trauma‑informed mental health services, advocacy, child sex trafficking, and investigation/court system.
Respond to community members who make inquiries, provide tours of the CAC, manage donations, and maintain storage areas.
Drive personally owned vehicle to various schools in Taylor County to provide needed therapy services.
Participate in community awareness activities.
Facilitate vicarious trauma related training for staff and MDT members.
Mental Health Counselor II, III:
Consistently conduct community awareness presentations and mental health training.
Create reports in the case tracking system, analyze data, and formulate solutions to issues.
Assist with audits, site visits, accreditation and protocol revision.
Mental Health Counselor III:
Apply for all grants and submit statistical reports to include Other Victim Assistance Grant (OVAG), Victim of Crime Act (VOCA), and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) grants.
Oversee mental health college intern program.
Present Mental Health reports and statistics, and participate in CAC Board meetings.
Assist with strategic plan and monitor progress.
Other Job Related Duties Perform other job‑related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Mental Health Counselor I:
Knowledge Of:
Trauma‑focused, evidence‑based mental health treatment modalities and best practices; community resources for families in need, self‑care techniques, Child Advocacy Center model, child abuse and its impact on family dynamics, child development; role of interagency partners in child abuse investigations.
Skill To:
Provide Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‑CBT); maintain a high level of confidentiality and handle sensitive situations and information; communicate professionally both orally and in writing; use MS‑Office and Google Suite; manage high stress situations and think critically to problem solve and resolve issues; actively listen, assess clients, create treatment plans, and thoroughly document work.
Ability To:
Adjust to change with flexibility and a positive attitude; manage significant emotional stress, use good judgment, and adhere to high professional standards; facilitate group meetings with professionals from various agencies and maintain cross‑cultural awareness; accurately enter data in case tracking system and create reports, forms and presentations; stay organized and manage time well; provide court testimony; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships internally and externally; follow City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do; perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Mental Health Counselor II:
Skill To:
Conduct professional large group presentations and trainings; create reports, analyze data, and formulate solutions to issues.
Mental Health Counselor III:
Knowledge Of:
Team‑building strategies, managing vicarious trauma in the workplace, grant writing, and broad array of mental health treatment modalities.
Skill To:
Professionally lead people and manage problems in a timely manner.
Experience and Training Guidelines For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:
Mental Health Counselor I:
Experience:
One (1) year of relevant experience as practicing mental health professional with abused children; preferred court testimony and collaboration with law enforcement, Department of Family and Protective Services, and District Attorneys.
Education/Training:
Master’s Degree in mental health counseling or social work field; Completion of the Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training and Trust‑Based Relational Intervention Training within one year of employment.
License or Certificate:
Valid Texas driver’s license or military waiver; provisional license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Mental Health Counselor II:
Experience:
Three (3) years of experience as a practicing mental health professional with abused children and collaboration with a CAC; court testimony and collaboration with law enforcement, Department of Family and Protective Services, and District Attorneys; conduct a minimum of ten (10) presentations or trainings.
Education/Training:
Master’s Degree in mental health counseling or social work field; Completion of Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training and Trust‑Based Relational Intervention Training; Completion of 24 hours of specialized training in victim advocacy and Motivational Interviewing Training (MI) provided by Public Health.
License or Certificate:
Valid Texas driver’s license or military waiver; provisional license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Mental Health Counselor III:
Experience:
Six (6) years of experience as a practicing mental health professional with abused children and collaboration with a CAC; court testimony and collaboration with law enforcement, Department of Family and Protective Services, and District Attorneys; successful submission of grant applications and reports; conduct a minimum of twenty (20) community presentations and training.
Education/Training:
Master’s Degree in mental health counseling or social work field; Completion of Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training and Trust‑Based Relational Intervention Training; 32 hours of advanced advocacy training provided by Public Health.
License or Certificate:
Valid Texas driver’s license or military waiver; provisional license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training Certification.
Special Requirements
Physical, mental, and emotional health is vital for success in a work environment with daily exposure to information and images of the abuse of children, emotional caregivers, and stressful/tense situations.
Ability to work in a standard office environment.
Ability to travel for training purposes and court testimony.
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds
Physical Demand Codes Codes For How Often:
N – No
E – Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M – Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I – Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A – Almost Never ( Code / Task:
I – Standing
M – Sitting
M – Walking
A – Lifting
A – Carrying
A – Pushing/Pulling
A – Overhead Work
M – Fine Dexterity
I – Kneeling
I – Crouching
N – Crawling
M – Bending
A – Twisting
A – Climbing
A – Balancing
E – Vision
E – Hearing
E – Talking
Other: _____________________
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Part-time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
#J-18808-Ljbffr