HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR III - 60052004

ALLOCATION FACTOR(S)  

This is work providing case management, guidance, and counseling to the elderly; guidance and counseling to the more acute mentally deficient, emotionally disturbed, and/or indigent clients and their families; counseling in the drug abuse program in a correctional institution or a county health department; or providing counseling and support services to victims of crimes. 

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:  

(Note: The examples of work as listed in this class specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position. Examples of work performed are not to be used for allocation purposes.)  

• Provides or arranges for services, as necessary, to maintain the client in the least restrictive residential setting. 

• Serves as team leader in jointly staffed cases. 

• Completes detailed client assessments and service plans on each client and provides or arranges for all services identified in the service plan. 

• Visits clients regularly, documenting observations and revisiting client assessments and service plans, as necessary, and monitoring the provision of services. 

• Counsels with clients, care givers, and/or significant others in terms of available services, adjustment problems, and/or major changes/transitions in life situations. 

• Provides counseling and guidance services to the more difficult cases. 

• Counsels families and guardians of residents and patients in adjustment problems and pre-release activities. 

• Participates in team diagnostic and technical staff conferences. 

• Implements, coordinates, and conducts a drug abuse counseling program at a correctional institution. 

• Serves as a member of the institution classification team of inmates participating in the drug abuse program. 

• Provides court related victim/witness services such as accompanying the victims to trial. 

• Explains the criminal justice process to victims. 

• Reviews incident/offense reports on a daily basis and assesses the needs and makes recommendations for community resources. 

• Serves as a liaison between the victim and Florida Highway Patrol, courts, social service organizations, the State Attorney's Office, the Florida Network of Victim/Witness Services and the National Organization of Victim Assistance.  

• Provides liaison with the institutional medical staff for referral of inmates in the drug abuse program for appropriate medical treatment. 

• Writes social history reports and assessments on new mental health program clients. 

• Performs related work as required. 

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

(Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) identified in this class specification represent those needed to perform the duties of this class. Additional knowledge, skills and abilities may be applicable for individual positions in the employing agency.)  

• Knowledge of theories and practices in counseling or social work. 

• Knowledge of professional ethics relating to counseling or social work. 

• Knowledge of interviewing techniques. 

• Ability to provide counseling or social work services to others. 

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and the court process. 

• Knowledge of Victims' Assistance Programs. 

• Knowledge of Florida Statutes of victims' rights. 

• Ability to coordinate a team approach to the rehabilitation process. 

• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. 

• Ability to actively listen to others. 

• Ability to communicate effectively. 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. 

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  

• An associate’s degree or minimum of 60 semester hours and two years of professional experience in education, mental health, counseling, guidance, social work, health or rehabilitative programs; or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. 

• Professional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education. 

• A valid Driver License; and 

• Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected applicants are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and documentation of the appropriate insurance coverage.