What are the responsibilities and job description for the OPUS Mental Health Counselor position at Alachua County Board of County Commissioners?
Salary : $56,264.83 - $89,082.03 Annually
Location : Gainesville, FL
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : FY25-15290
Department : Community Support Services
Opening Date : 12 / 27 / 2024
Closing Date : 1 / 17 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern
Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree in counseling, marriage and family therapy, or social work from an accredited university or college OR within 6 months of earning the Master's degree as shown. If not currently a registered intern, must obtain an intern registration number with the State of Florida within 12 months of employment in this classification.
A valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy# 6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If in the past 24-month period, the record shows more than 3 moving traffic violations, and / or a conviction / pending charge for driving under the influence, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen.
Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
Must successfully pass a Level 2 background check as specified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Position Summary
This is professional counseling work assigned to Alachua County Community Support Services Department, OPUS and Fire Rescue Department, Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH).
An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for screening clients mental and emotional functioning for suitability for levels of treatment, including evaluations to determine diagnoses, the proper level and intensity of treatment, as well as recommendations for treatment. The employee will conduct individual, group, and family counseling to address general mental illness, co-occurring disorders, as well as substance use disorders in an outpatient setting.
Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and / or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including : integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.
Takes calls from referrals and referral-sources and promptly schedules sessions with eligible citizens.
Completes assessments, treatment plans, and clinical case notes.
Conducts screenings and assessments of referrals in custody at the jail.
Participates in staff meetings in support of treatment courts as needed.
Conducts a variety of evidence-based counseling strategies (including CBT and MI) that match the client and the client's treatment goals.
Maintains a high standard of clinical documentation.
Ensures all clinical documentation requirements comply with guidelines set forth by the Florida Administrative Codes Chapter 65D-30, Florida Statutes Chapter 491, and 42 CFR.
Monitors progress in treatment and updates treatment plans as necessary to ensure the proper standard of care is delivered to every citizen receiving services.
With proper releases, collaborates with probation officers, Treatment Courts, Public Defenders Office, and others to ensure continuity of care.
Provides some case management functions to assist clients in accessing other services and benefits.
Provides services to eligible participants on both a voluntary and involuntary basis.
Participates in meetings and community groups to represent the program and inform stakeholders of services and treatment offered.
Builds and nurtures positive professional relationships with other county program employees to facilitate referrals for services to citizens in need.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE : These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of personality development theory.
Knowledge of substance use and addiction and treatment.
Knowledge of counseling theory (specifically CBT and MI).
Knowledge of the DSM-V and appropriate treatments for diagnoses
Knowledge of treatment planning and monitoring.
Knowledge of professional codes of ethics and standards.
Knowledge of trauma informed care.
Proficient skill using computer programs like Word, Excel, and internet browsers.
Ability to observe client behavior and discern their emotion, level of attention, and congruency of speech.
Ability to conceptualize and identify root causes of symptomology and communicate them to the client.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and refrain from fraternizing or engaging in dual relationships with clients.
Ability to conduct counseling effectively and adjust approach if needed.
Ability to receive constructive professional feedback during supervision.
Ability to communicate dissenting opinions in a professional and non-provocative way.
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
Ability to manage time between clinical, administrative, and other duties effectively.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Work schedule of 40 hours per week may vary depending upon unit needs and could be a variety of hours and shifts including some evening and weekend hours.
Supplemental Information
Desired but not required : Ability to speak Spanish fluently.
Desired but not required : Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Confidential Position : Certain personal information for employees (and specific family members) in this job position is exempt from public records pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits
- Medical / Health Insurance
- Employee Life Insurance
- Florida Retirement System
- Employee Assistance Program
Optional Benefits
NOTE : For detailed information regarding available benefits
You may also view regarding benefits.
Vacation Leave - Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to .
Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees
If an applicant meets all minimum qualifications as posted he / she is referred to the appropriate hiring manager. The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for the ones with the specific experience he / she is seeking.Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.
Do you have a Master's degree in clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling?
If yes, which discipline?
If not licensed already, are you willing to get registered intern status within 12 months of employment?
Do you know how to form clinical groups?
If yes, please describe specific strategies when selecting participants.
Are you familiar with Cognitive Behavior Therapy?
If so, please describe in detail techniques or interventions you use.
If aware, please explain in detail your preferred method of supervision or the supervision style that works best for you.
I understand that once my application has been submitted for this specific position that I will NOT be able to make any changes to it. Any changes to my master application will only be reflected in any future positions for which I may apply. Should I desire to have updated information included for this specific position I should contact the Human Resources office at (352) 374-5219 for assistance.
Required Question
Salary : $56,265 - $89,082
