Child Advocacy Center - Mental Health Counselor I​/II​/III

Child Advocacy Center - Mental Health Counselor I/II/III

Public Health, 850 N. 6th, Abilene, Texas, United States of America

Posted Monday, June 16, 2025 at 6:00 AM

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under direction to provide crisis intervention, assessment, counseling and advocacy services to children and non-offending caregivers impacted by abuse and trauma. Operate as the mental health liaison for the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and community agencies.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The Mental Health Counselor I, II, and III exercise no supervision.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Mental Health Counselor I, II, III

Provide crisis intervention, trauma-informed assessments and mental health psychotherapy to children and their non-offending caregivers impacted by abuse and trauma. Maintain case files, treatment plans, and monthly progress reports.

Compassionately provide personal advocacy for victims and offer appropriate services/information to include legal system information, victim rights, and child abuse education.

Provide testimony in court proceedings that pertain to mental health services and assist with court preparation/court accompaniment for child abuse victims and their caregivers.

Respond to the CAC after-hours for emergency cases for advocacy and crisis intervention services.

Present cases and participate in clinical review, peer review, MDT case review, and service status meetings.

Participate in initial and ongoing training as it relates to child abuse, trauma-informed mental health services, advocacy, child sex trafficking, and investigation/court system.

Respond to community members who make inquiries, provide tours of the CAC, manage donations, and maintain storage areas.

Drive personally owned vehicle to various schools in Taylor County to provide needed therapy services.

Participate in community awareness activities.

Facilitate vicarious trauma related training for staff and MDT members.

Mental Health Counselor II, III

Consistently conduct community awareness presentations and mental health training.

Create reports in the case tracking system, analyze data, and formulate solutions to issues.

Assist with audits, site visits, accreditation and protocol revision.

Mental Health Counselor III

Apply for all grants and submit statistical reports to include Other Victim Assistance Grant (OVAG), Victim of Crime Act (VOCA), and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) grants.

Oversee mental health college intern program.

Present Mental Health reports and statistics, and participate in CAC Board meetings.

Assist with strategic plan and monitor progress.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Mental Health Counselor I

Knowledge of:

Trauma-focused, evidence-based mental health treatment modalities and best practices.

Community resources for families in need, self-care techniques, Child Advocacy Center model, child abuse and its impact on family dynamics, and child development.

Role of interagency partners in child abuse investigations.

Skill to:

Provide Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Maintain a high level of confidentiality and handle sensitive situations and information.

Communicate professionally both orally and in writing.

Use MS-Office including Excel, Access, Outlook, Power Point, and Microsoft Word.

Use Google Suite including Sheets, Docs, and Gmail. Operate a computer and standard office equipment.

Manage high stress situations and think critically to problem solve and resolve issues.

Actively listen, assess clients, create treatment plans, and thoroughly document work.

Ability to:

Adjust to change with flexibility and a positive attitude.

Manage significant emotional stress, use good judgment, and adhere to high professional standards.

Facilitate group meetings involving professionals from various agencies and maintain cross-cultural awareness in the performance of all responsibilities.

Accurately enter data in case tracking system, and create reports, forms and presentations.

Stay organized and manage time well.

Provide court testimony.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in…