Human Services - Therapist

LA PLATA COUNTY

Human Services- Therapist:

Child Welfare is seeking a general therapist to join our unique & highly-skilled team. Agency provides trauma-informed, person-centered care to children & adolescents as well as biological, adoptive, & foster parents. May work in an office, school, or home-based setting. Experience w/ evidence-based, trauma-informed therapeutic treatments & knowledge of child development & attachment theory preferred. Multiple training opportunities provided as well as no-cost post-graduate supervision for licensure as an LPC or MSW. Requires excellent organizational & communication skills. Master’s degree in behavioral or mental health required. $64,209-69,000/yr DOE. FT w/ medical, dental, vision, retirement, vacation, sick, holiday & paid parental leave benefits. Deadline 4PM 4/21/24. Apply online at http://co.laplata.co.us or at computer kiosk @ La Plata County, 1101 E 2nd Ave, Durango We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CLASS TITLE: THERAPIST

CLASS CODE: 952

DEPARTMENT: HUMAN SERVICES

FLSA STATUS: E

REPORTS TO:

VARIOUS DATE: 3/99, revised 2/17

JOB SUMMARY: Position primarily provides therapeutic services to individuals and/or families in La Plata and San Juan counties; provides professional case worker services; provides a full range of intake and ongoing case management; serves as a specialist in areas such as sexual abuse therapy, play therapy, family therapy, home-based therapy or investigating difficult and/or complex abuse cases; makes referrals to community resources and/or protective services; maintains records, documentation and reports related to services provided. Position requires thorough, advanced knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice, including in-depth therapeutic approaches, techniques of affecting changes in behavior, casework intervention skills and human behavior related to assigned program area(s). Functions independently, requiring only supervisory consultation, and has acquired a high level of expertise in the field.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible. Provides child psychotherapy, using play therapy, to children traumatized through family violence, physical abuse or neglect, emotional abuse or sexual abuse so they can be maintained in their own home, be reunited with their family after placement in foster care or be placed in an adoptive home successfully; explains process to affected parties and enlists their participation at appropriate stages; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout therapy. Provides home, school, or office-based family, individual and marriage therapy for clients referred from child protection workers and community sources; provides safe, therapeutic environment so clients can learn more appropriate communication, anger management, crisis management and problem-solving skills with an emphasis on child safety and welfare; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout therapy. Provides casework and therapeutic services to clients with underage children who are placed by the Court; develops plans for timely permanency for children; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process. Provides ongoing case management and support services to children and youth in long term foster care or independent living situations; develops and monitors plans for situations; makes arrangements for needed services; provides family counseling services to preserve placements and prevent moves, if possible; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process. Provides therapeutic services to female adolescent victims of sexual abuse; meets with prospective group members to assess their ability and readiness to participate in a therapeutic group; provides individual services for those that need to meet outside a group format; meets with non-offending parents of victims to provide information about sexual abuse issues and treatment; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process. Provides pre and post adoption services; provides relinquishing counseling to biological parents; assesses viability of and offers services/referrals to adoptive homes; facilitates preparation and filing of paperwork related to adoption process; makes recommendations about finalization of adoption; and provides necessary services or referrals after finalization to preserve the intact family. Manages a specialized caseload of difficult/complex child abuse or neglect cases; screens and investigates child abuse or neglect referrals; determines child safety and initiates child safety decision making and action steps; determines whether child needs to be temporarily removed from the immediate circumstances; makes necessary arrangements for foster care or other types of assistance as needed; contacts appropriate reporting channel if abuse or neglect is suspected. Coordinates child abuse or neglect investigations with law enforcement personnel; determines proper jurisdiction; conducts forensic interviews and shares relevant information with pertinent parties related to the reported incident; completes required documentation regarding investigations; initiates court petitions for civil charges and child protection orders; participates in court proceedings as required. Conducts meetings with clients to assess needs, develop treatment plans, monitor progress toward goals and determine current status of clients; and schedules and coordinates case management meetings between family members, other service agencies or facilities as needed. Completes in-depth assessments of clients; develops comprehensive strength-based treatment plans, which includes goal statements, standards of performance, areas of service provision/responsibilities, and measures of success; reviews and revises treatment plans as needed. Participates in clinical and psychiatric consultation. Networks with community partners and resources to ensure appropriate referrals and use of community resources; prepares referral packages when referring clients to service providers; monitors progress of clients with service providers selected for referral; and participates in development of new methods/programs for community agencies to assist clients. Performs ongoing case management for assigned area(s); prepares required caseload documentation; compiles periodic status reports of work performed; and maintains lists of current participants. Writes court reports regarding treatment plan compliance/case status; prepares case files for court hearings; prepares for and gives expert testimony in court as required. Provides emergency services on an on-call basis. Reviews invoices for a variety of services for accuracy; submits legitimate invoices through appropriate channels for payment. Consults with Department staff members, other professionals, outside agencies, or others concerning area of expertise. Maintains and upgrades advanced professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications in the area of expertise. Conducts training sessions about specialty area and/or Department of Human Services responsibilities and resources. Provides on-the-job training as directed by management for other department employees and interns. Performs other related duties as assigned. Regular and predictable attendance is required.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED: Computer(s) General Office Equipment Motor Vehicle(s) Tape Recorder Video Recorder Evidence Collection Material Video Camera Cell Phone

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience: Master’s degree from an accredited program in counseling, social work, or related field; and, Four to five years of professional social casework experience related to the position.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid State Driver’s License

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of: Thorough, advanced knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice. Addiction, domestic/family violence, developmental disabilities and mental health issues and signs/symptoms. Child and adult protection issues, investigative procedures and laws. Therapeutic theories and practices relating to families and children. Child development, life stage development, attachment and bonding theories and appropriate parenting practices. Policies, procedures, philosophies, rules, ethics and regulations governing the services to clients. Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations and how they apply to child and adult protection. Community resources available to assist clients. Formal mediation process and family group decision making process. All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job. Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques. Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Skill in: Conducting comprehensive family assessments and selecting/implementing therapeutic interventions based on accurate assessments. Using forensic interviewing techniques. Assessing evidence, to include determining if a client’s injuries are consistent with reported abuse. Implementing formal mediations. Organizing and facilitating family group decision making meetings. Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines. Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials. Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials. Testifying in court, including testifying as an expert witness. Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction. Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols. Using mathematics. Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Mental and Physical Abilities: Ability to respond to each client with empathy and respect. Ability to deescalate chaotic and/or potentially violent situations and set limits when appropriate. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals. Ability to make critical decisions in high risk and high stress situations. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to collect, process and utilize incoming information, define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to speak effectively before groups and respond to questions. While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to sit, reach with hands and arms, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, ascend and descend stairs and maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking on weather affected surfaces and in rural environments, and speak and hear. While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to use color, sound, texture, shape and odor perception and discrimination, and to drive in inclement weather and to remote areas of the county.

Working Conditions: Work is typically performed in a variety of environments including the office, client homes, community agencies and schools, and may involve potential exposure to hazardous and/or violent environments and/or clients. Working time may require irregular hours and/or on-call status. The incumbent’s working conditions are typically moderately quiet, but may be loud at times. This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.