About the Department Services:

The Health Services division of the HCJPD is responsible for the medical, psychological, and treatment programs within the agency. The services operated within this division include the medical staff that assess and treat youth in the detention center and post-adjudicated facilities. In addition, the division has mental health therapists who provide crisis counseling, and individual, group and family therapy to youth both in the detention center and under community supervision. Lastly, the Health Services division oversees the four specialty courts that operate within the agency to help address some of the underlying factors that may be impacting a youth’s functioning.

About the Position:

The Mental Health Navigator serves as a liaison between Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD), the youth and family, and community resources related to mental health. This person also serves as the coordinator for youth involved with Rapid Response and Threat Assessment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identifies and builds relationships with mental health community partners and agencies throughout Harris County. 

• Serves as a liaison for HCJPD and community resources specializing in mental health.

• Meets with youth and families to assess for mental health needs, triage and make appropriate referrals for the family, and follow-up to ensure services have met the family's needs.

• Advocates for mental health services for youth, and attends youth's meetings and court hearings, when necessary.

• Works within a multidisciplinary team, including professionals from different agencies. Maintains accurate and confidential documentation.

• Completes field visits, documentation, and attends hearings for youth including Rapid Response and Threat Assessment.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
  https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
 If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
 
 This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Qualifying applicants must complete the HCJPD Standard Basic Spelling & Grammar assessment with a minimum score of 80%.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree conferred by a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and either:

• A) One (1) year of graduate study at an accredited college or university (18 completed post-graduate hours) in Criminology, Corrections, Counseling, Law, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or other closely related field.

OR

• B) At least 1500 hours of paid or non-paid experience in a social service, community, corrections, or juvenile agency that deals with offenders or disadvantaged persons. These hours must have been earned within twelve (12) months, which do not have to be consecutive months.

Additional Requirements:

• Must possess a valid driver's license and have available transportation for use on the job with vehicle insurance to comply with the liability limits required by statute.

• Upon receiving a conditional job offer, every applicant undergoes a criminal background check, drug screening and psychological assessment.

• Employees who hold this position are required to possess and maintain a valid Texas Driver's license. Employee must maintain liability insurance in at least the minimum amounts required by law.

• Certified copies of transcripts of educational credentials and/or college credits will be required during hiring process.

• All applicants are required to present evidence of a tuberculosis (TB) skin test. In the event of a positive test, the applicant will be required to provide additional documentation.

• Every employee is subject to random testing for drug and alcohol or if there is a reasonable suspicion to believe that the employee is under the influence of a substance prohibited by this policy while in the course and scope of employment.

• If public emergency is declared by county, staff could be assigned to other duties and/or facilities and/or under the supervision of another county department.

• Must be 21 years old.

• This position involves working with challenging youth where use of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies may be necessary to ensure the safety of both youth and staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must possess a thorough understanding of adolescent mental illness and associated issues and juvenile justice system.

• Must be able to work with other professionals at all levels of the juvenile justice system including judges, attorneys, psychiatrist, psychologist, administrators, probation, and detention officers.

• Demonstrates good decision-making skills and sustains a high level of judgment.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain an active certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer in accordance with TJJD requirements.

Criminal History Checks for positions requiring state certifications:

Applicants applying for a position requiring a state certification must adhere to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Standards. Before making an offer of employment for a position eligible for certification, HCJPD will verify that the applicant meets the background qualification for the position according to TJJD Standards 344.300 & 344.400

§344.400 Disqualifying Criminal History:

(a)Applicants for Certification. An individual with the following criminal history is not eligible for certification or for employment in a position requiring certification:

(1) deferred adjudication or conviction for a felony listed in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42A.054 (formerly known as “3(g) offenses” under former Article 42.12) or a substantially equivalent violation against the laws of another state or the United States (as determined by TJJD), regardless of the date of disposition; or

(2) deferred adjudication or conviction for a sexually violent offense as defined in Article 62.001, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, or a substantially equivalent violation against the laws of another state or the United States (as determined by TJJD), regardless of the date of disposition.

§344.410 Other Criminal History:

(1) An individual with the following criminal history is not eligible for certification, employment, or otherwise providing service in a position requiring certification without prior review and approval by TJJD as provided in §344.420 of this chapter:

(A) deferred adjudication or conviction for a felony other than those referenced in §344.400(a) of this chapter or a substantially equivalent violation against the laws of another state or the United States (as determined by TJJD) if the date of deferred adjudication or conviction was less than 10 years prior to the date the review is requested; or

(B) deferred adjudication or conviction for any Class A or B misdemeanor in Texas or a substantially equivalent violation against the laws of another state or the United States (as determined by TJJD) if the date of deferred adjudication or conviction was less than five years prior to the date the review is requested.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular - Full-time

• Days and hours of work are flexible | Requires Mental Health Navigator to be available to youth, families, and community agencies.

• Late nights and weekends are sometimes required occasionally.

• Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.

• $24.04 - $32.70 Hourly
• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods
  • Plus, benefits