TJJD - Substance Abuse Counselor I-II-III -Alcohol

Agency Information
We are committed to transforming lives and building safer communities by working collaboratively, communicating openly, and upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Our team models accountability, transparency, and respect, taking proactive steps to ensure the physical and emotional safety of youth, staff, and the community. We strive for excellence through continuous growth, thoughtful decision-making, and mission-driven collaboration, supporting one another while embracing challenges that lead to meaningful, long-term impact.

About the role

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) provides a trauma-informed, holistic Alcohol or Other Drugs (AOD) Specialized Treatment Program to youth committed to the agency who have been assessed as needing AOD treatment in addition to participating in the agency’s Texas Model of Trauma-Informed Corrections. The secure facility program consists of:

• a high-intensity treatment program offered at dorms dedicated for that purpose at the agency’s secure youth facilities;
• a moderate-intensity treatment program provided through an outpatient delivery model at the secure youth facilities and halfway houses; and
• a continuity-of-care program upon release of youth into the community.

This position performs substance abuse assessment and counseling for the AOD Specialized Treatment Program for youth who have been adjudicated delinquent of felony offenses, committed to the agency by a juvenile court, and placed in a high-security correctional facility. Work involves AOD psycho-education/curriculum delivery; individual, family, and group counseling; discharge and release planning; and working with halfway-house staff, parole officers, and contract treatment providers to ensure coordination of service delivery. You will also utilize Texas Model 2.0 principles and DBT skills to help youth regulate emotions, build interpersonal skills, and manage their treatment effectively.

May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, different shift patterns, be on-call, and travel (10%) occasionally.

Career Ladder

This position is in the approved TJJD career ladder for Substance Abuse Counselors. Placement on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and education. Substance abuse counselors may be promoted based on meeting the established eligibility criteria per agency policy until they reach the top level of the ladder. Progression to the highest pay level on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and performance.

• Substance Abuse Counselor I: Performs routine (journey-level) work under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Substance Abuse Counselor II: Performs highly complex (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Substance Abuse Counselor III: Performs advanced (senior-level) work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Pre-Service Training Academy

Newly hired substance abuse counselors or rehired substance abuse counselors who separated more than 18 months will be required to attend the pre-service training academy. Substance abuse counselors who have worked for TJJD and return to employment within 18 months of their separation date are not required to attend the pre-service academy and will be placed in full-time status on their date of employment.

Responsibilities

• Interviews, screens, and assesses clients for potential program participation and services.
• Provides substance abuse counseling, psychoeducational classes, or rehabilitative programs both in individual and group formats.
• Completes weekly documentation of services provided for each participating youth in accordance with Case Management Standards (CMS) and AOD program requirements.
• Utilizes Texas Model 2.0 principles to guide the counseling process and fosters emotionally supportive environments for youth during counseling sessions.
• Develops and monitors objectives/strategies to address AOD risk factors, increase protective factors, and ensure treatment delivery according to the risk-need-responsivity principle.
• Applies an understanding of Texas Model 2.0 to support youth through trauma-informed care and emotional regulation.
• Monitors youth progress in AOD specialized treatment; updates treatment objectives for assigned youth in accordance with CMS.
• Completes transition planning and discharge summaries to ensure continuity of care and management of risk factors for relapse.
• Conducts program orientation sessions.
• Works in collaboration with transitional placement staff (Halfway House PSW, Parole, and AOD Specialized Treatment Program Specialist) to identify appropriate services such as AOD aftercare.
• Utilizes Texas Model 2.0 principles to foster a cohesive, supportive team environment that encourages the youth’s progress and emotional well-being.
• Conducts and facilitates required groups, individual counseling, AOD psycho-educational groups, and family contacts for assigned caseload.
• Plans for scheduled and unanticipated leaves of absence to ensure the provision of group services by an approved group alternate.
• Participates in staff development relating to the agency’s approved treatment program, group facilitation, CMS, AOD-specific training, substance abuse training, and renews annual mandatory training requirements.
• Reads, reviews, and properly applies information found in youth records related to youth health and safety.