Bilingual Behavioral Health Counselor, (Pasadena)

Print


Bilingual Behavioral Health Counselor, (Pasadena)

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Pasadena, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

14576

Department

Public Health Services

Division

Community Health & Wellness

Opening Date

02/26/2025

Closing Date

4/30/2025 11:59 PM Central

Position Description


If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

Position Overview:
The Behavioral Health Counselor plays a crucial role within the Community Health and Wellness Division, offering direct mental health support to individuals seeking services. Responsibilities include conducting behavioral health assessments, making referrals, and conducting both individual and group counseling sessions. This position collaborates with an interdisciplinary team as part of the Behavioral Health Services program, aimed at enhancing access to comprehensive mental health resources for those facing mental illness and various social determinants of health. The Counselor is dedicated to providing exceptional services tailored to meet the individual needs of clients.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Provide trauma-informed therapeutic counseling, mental health resource navigation, assessment, preliminary diagnosis (if credentialed), and treatment planning, both in-person and virtually, to individuals referred for Behavioral Health Services
  • Serve as a vital member of the behavioral health team within an integrated care model, collaborating closely with clinic providers. Conduct thorough screenings for behavioral and social determinants of health to address clients' physical, emotional, and mental well-being comprehensively.
  • Utilize solution-focused evidence-based counseling styles to engage clients in self-reflection and self-determination during brief counseling interactions, fostering empowerment and resilience.
  • Conduct individual and group counseling sessions as required, diligently monitoring the progress of each client's care plan.
  • Facilitate referrals to community behavioral health resources and ensure timely follow-up for high-risk individuals and families
  • Evaluate and meticulously document clients' overall program progress, including assessments, progress notes, referrals, and follow-up interactions, utilizing the electronic medical record (EMR) system. Maintain accurate records of weekly scheduled appointments within the EMR system.
  • Cultivate and nurture trusted relationships with program participants, partners, stakeholders, and administrators. Engage in outreach activities to educate community groups and agencies about the services offered by HCPH Behavioral Health Services, promoting accessibility and awareness.
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 emailADACoordinator@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.

Requirements

Education:

  • Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Health Education, or related field
Experience:
  • Two (2) years' experience providing direct mental health services OR one (1) year providing services to high-risk vulnerable populations
Licenses/Certifications:
  • Valid TX Driver’s License (upon hire)
Language:
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Maintain necessary licensure and certifications required to practice in the State of Texas.
  • Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal & written)
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information
  • Ability to work well with public and staff members
Core Competencies:
Organizational Leadership
  • Understands the organizational mission
  • Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
  • Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others
Collaboration
  • Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
  • Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
  • Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs
Innovation:
  • Ability to adapt to change
Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics
  • Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
  • Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
  • Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
  • Uses sound judgment
  • Self-motivated
  • Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity
Communication 
  • Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation, but ONLY the information stated on the application will be used for consideration.

Preferences

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist (LMFT), or Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) preferred

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

  • Full-Time | Regular
  • Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5 pm.
  • Must be willing to flex work hours when required, including weekends.
  • Able to travel within Harris County as needed.
Work Environment:
  • This job operates in a professional office and clinic environment with occasional visits to private residential homes, and community organizations. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
Physical Demands:
  • This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time.
Location:
  • 3737 Red Bluff Rd, Pasadena, TX 77503
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
 
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:
  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Wellness Plan
  • Life Insurance 
  • Long-term disability
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
    • Accrual rates increase based on years of service
  • Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
  • Healthcare Reimbursement Account
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:
  • Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
  • Flexible schedule (varies by department)
  • Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
 
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?
  • High School or GED diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher
  • None of the above
02
If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following disciplines best relates to your degree most relevant to this position?
  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Health Education
  • Other Related Field
  • NA; No Degree
03
Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in providing direct mental health services? (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
  • Less than two (2) years.
  • Two (2) years or more
  • I do not have this experience
04
Please provide details about your verifiable experience related to providing direct mental health services Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
05
Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience providing services to high-risk vulnerable populations?
  • Less than one (1) year.
  • One (1) year or more.
  • I do not have this experience.
06
Please provide details about your verifiable experience related to providing services to high-risk vulnerable populations. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
07
Which of the following credentials do you currently hold? (Select all that apply)
  • Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist (LMFT)
  • Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)
  • I currently do not hold a licensure/credential.
08
Are you bilingual in English and Spanish? If yes, what is your level of proficiency in Spanish?
  • Yes, I am fluent in Spanish (speaking, reading, and writing).
  • Yes, I am proficient in conversational Spanish only.
  • Yes, I have basic knowledge of Spanish.
  • No, I am not bilingual in English and Spanish.
09
This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire). Do you have a Valid Driver's License?
  • I have a valid Texas driver’s license.
  • I have a valid driver’s license from another state but can obtain a Texas license upon hire.
  • I do not have a valid driver’s license.

Required Question

Employer
Harris County
Address
1111 Fannin St
Ste. 600
Houston, Texas, 77002
Phone
713-274-5445