Mental Health Clinician 3 (PCN 20-8625)

Location: Eagle River, Alaska

About the role

Coordinate, supervise, and provide comprehensive mental health services to incarcerated individuals at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center, delivering both individual and group-based psychotherapeutic interventions. Through direct interviews, clinical observations, and evaluation of existing history, apply clinical expertise to conduct mental health screenings, evaluations, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and ongoing therapeutic casework. Assess an individual’s diagnosis and risk, respond effectively to emergent situations, and make clinical recommendations on appropriate treatment. Perform and facilitate therapeutic group programming focused on cognitive-behavioral skills.

As a master’s level mental health clinician and supervisor, oversee mental health services, complete performance evaluations, conduct quality assurance measures, develop others in their abilities, and train staff on department standards and mental health disorders.

Our Mission, Values, And Culture

The HARS Mission Statement: To provide timely access to essential care through an evidence-based multidisciplinary approach. We are committed to a culture of professionalism, quality and safety. We seek applicants who are interested in furthering the HARS Mission and who will strive to uphold the Division's Core Values of Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Teamwork, Safety and Growth.

Benefits

Working as a mental health clinician for the Department of Corrections offers the unique opportunity to make a profound impact on a vulnerable population, supporting rehabilitation and contributing to public safety. The role provides a deeply meaningful way to serve one’s community by promoting mental wellness and reducing recidivism. Being part of our collaborative multidisciplinary team allows for shared knowledge and diverse perspectives, which support professional growth and improve patient outcomes.

Working Environment

This position oversees the mental health programming needs at the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center, a secure facility for incarcerated female offenders. This position will be expected to have on-site presence at each location to address and respond to the mental health needs of each facility and work closely with a team of correctional officers, mental health clinicians and medical staff.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mental health screenings, evaluations, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and ongoing therapeutic casework.
• Assess diagnoses and risk, respond to emergent situations, and make clinical recommendations.
• Facilitate therapeutic group programming focused on cognitive-behavioral skills.
• Supervise mental health services, complete performance evaluations, and conduct quality assurance measures.
• Develop staff abilities and train on department standards and mental health disorders.
• Plan, distribute, and monitor work assignments; set task priorities; evaluate work performance and provide feedback.
• Ensure staff are appropriately selected, utilized, and developed, and treated fairly.
• Recommend or take action on employment decisions (appoint, transfer, promote, discipline, discharge, or adjudicate grievances).

Requirements

• Doctoral degree OR Master’s degree from an accredited college in counseling, psychology, social work, child guidance, vocational rehabilitation, or a closely related field.
• Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities in:
  • Accountability: Accepting responsibility for actions and decisions, demonstrating commitment to ethical, efficient, and cost-effective work.
  • Developing Others: Providing ongoing feedback and learning opportunities.
  • Managing Human Resources: Planning, distributing, coordinating, and monitoring work assignments; evaluating performance.
  • Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior, mental processes, and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Therapy and Counseling: Knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental ailments, and career guidance.
• Progressively responsible professional experience performing psychotherapeutic casework.

“Progressively responsible” means growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility. “Professional experience” means work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires specialized knowledge of the profession’s principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with decision-making authority.

Skills

• Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior, mental processes, and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Supervision: Planning, distributing, and monitoring work; evaluating performance; providing feedback; ensuring fair treatment and development of staff.
• Oral and Written Communication: Effectively express information to individuals or groups; make clear presentations; listen and respond appropriately.

Pay

Starting salary may be approved up to Step D - $3,989.60 per month, if criteria are met.

Additional Information

• Some positions require licensure as a Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor (specified in the job posting).
• If selected for an interview, provide official or unofficial transcripts of highest education level and three professional references.
• Foreign education must be evaluated by a recognized organization to confirm equivalence to U.S. education standards.
• This position requires a security clearance issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to use the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN). DPS will deny clearance for applicants convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or who are fugitives from justice.
• All Department of Corrections employees must pass a criminal history check and be fingerprinted.
• The Department follows Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards, which preclude hiring individuals with certain convictions related to sexual assault.