TJJD - Program Specialist VI - Health Specialist V

About the role

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) work within the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), addressing the complex needs of youth and their families through a trauma-informed, multidisciplinary approach aligned with the Texas Model of Trauma Informed Corrections. This role is critical to supporting staff wellness and ensuring they have the resources needed to work effectively with this high-need population. Work involves providing therapy and employee assistance services to TJJD staff, crisis intervention during critical incidents, and developing training and wellness initiatives. Operates with considerable independence and judgment within applicable statutes, ethics, policies, and procedures. Occasional travel and potential for extended hours, varied shifts, or on-call duty.

Responsibilities

• Provides mental health treatment services to TJJD staff members.
• Delivers emergency and crisis services during critical incidents, large-scale events, and disasters.
• Develops, coordinates, and conducts training for employees and stakeholders.
• Adheres to policies and procedures, including local licensure and ethical requirements.
• Conducts field visits, observes staff, and provides feedback to leadership to enhance mental health, psychological safety, and wellness.
• Maintains and reports activity data monthly or as requested; identifies operational improvements and makes recommendations.
• Travels within Texas as required to fulfill position objectives.
• Provides advice and counsel by interpreting policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards.
• Assists in developing program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals consistent with program goals.
• Analyzes program applications and variations to develop action plans for improving or initiating new programs.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Ensures compliance with agency safety policies: reports hazards, corrects when possible, completes incident documentation, and attends work regularly.
• Actively embodies and supports the Texas Model by demonstrating its core values in daily tasks and interactions.

Requirements

• Master’s degree with major coursework in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of full-time wage-earning experience as a licensed mental health professional.
• Licensed in Texas as one of the following:
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Three (3) years of the required experience must be in a supervisory/management role overseeing, managing, or directing programs or operations involving similar work.

Education Substitutions

Up to four years of experience may be substituted with completed undergraduate course hours (30 hours = 1 year). Up to two years may be substituted with completed graduate course hours (12 hours = 1 year). All degrees and coursework must be from accredited institutions.

Pre-employment Conditions

• Acceptable results from pre-employment drug test.
• Fingerprinting, criminal records check, and TB testing.
• Fitness-for-Duty Assessment (may include physical and behavioral evaluations).

Requirements for Continued Employment

• Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR.
• Failure to maintain required licensure/certification will result in termination.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with staff in high-stress or trauma-exposed environments.