The Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) is in search of a Behavioral Health Professional to discover needs and resources for juveniles in an inpatient setting. The ideal candidate will be able to work effectively in a team environment while building strong relationships with all levels of staff and collaborate with peers while maintaining a high degree of discretion, sensitivity, and confidentiality. At this level employees are assigned responsibilities at an advanced performance level in providing appropriate behavioral health services to consumers. This may include advanced assessment and treatment services and the overall responsibility of assigning behavioral health services and functions.

Basic Purpose

This Behavioral Health Professional position provides clinical services to youth receiving secure care treatment at the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC) in Tecumseh, Oklahoma. Positions within this job family provide professional behavioral health services, including assessments and psychotherapy, to support recovery and wellness within a designated caseload or population, in a state agency, institution, or mental health facility or clinic. This includes collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to address the physical and behavioral health needs of individuals in services.

Key Responsibilities

The functions performed in this job family will vary by level, unit and organization, but may include the following:

• Interviews individuals and families by telehealth and/or in-person to explore needs and resources of those requesting services

• Develops treatment plans in collaboration with individuals/families in services and a clinical team

• Provides assessments, individual, group, and family counseling

• Provides crisis intervention, ensuring services are individualized, provided with high fidelity to evidence-based approaches, documented appropriately, and within direct care service standards set by the agency

• Participates in interdisciplinary staffing and clinical consultations to ensure high quality clinical care and the needs of individuals served are met

• Participates in on-call rotations within the facility or unit, to ensure continuity of care to individuals in services

• Adheres to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to consumer rights regulations, confidentiality laws, and accreditation requirements associated with this position and field

• Contributes to a trauma-informed, hope-centered, and culturally responsive treatment environment consistent with facility’s mission and values.

Other Duties

• Demonstrates knowledge of and supports mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

• Ability to multi-task and adapt to demanding and changing timelines.

• Ability to maintain a high degree of discretion, integrity and sensitivity to confidentiality and privacy.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment while building strong relationships with all levels of staff and effectively collaborating, communicating, respecting, and assisting peers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include advanced knowledge of current behavioral health practices and strategies; de-escalation techniques; community resources; co-occurring treatment needs; caseload management methods; therapeutic interventions; psychiatric and medical terminology; State Statutes that apply to emergency intervention procedures and policies; all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including but not limited to consumer rights regulations, confidentiality laws, and accreditation requirements; and supervisory strategies with an emphasis on continuous staff development.

Skill is required to interact professionally with all staff, members of the public, community partners, and all other relevant entities; demonstrate honesty and integrity in all actions and communications; in using clinical judgment to maintain the highest levels of professionalism and ethical standards; and demonstrate compassion and a commitment to service to the consumers of the agency.

Ability is required to work in a high stress, fast-paced environment and present information clearly and accurately, orally and in writing; to be proactive, detail-oriented, and diligent with protecting consumer information, and possess the ability to understand all laws and regulations regarding consumer rights.

Annual Salary:

Level III - $76,000

Level IV - $81,000

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or closely related field and must be a practitioner with a license to practice, issued by one of the following Oklahoma state licensure boards Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers (clinical specialty only), Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure, Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board, or the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (examples of accepted licensure include: Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Behavioral Practitioner (LBP), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor/Mental Health (LADC/MH)) plus two (2) years of post-master's experience in providing professional behavioral services to consumers in a state approved facility or similar entity or the completion of a master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or closely related field and be actively and regularly receiving board approved supervision, and extended supervision by a fully licensed clinician if the board's supervision requirement is met, but the individual is not yet licensed, to become licensed by one of the following licensure boards: Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure (Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Behavioral Practitioner), Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board, or Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) plus three (3) years of experience in providing professional behavioral services to consumers in a state approved facility or similar entity.

Special Requirements

• Applicants may be required to travel as part of their job responsibilities and must possess a valid Oklahoma driver’s license for operating state-owned vehicles. Applicants must be willing and able to perform any job-related travel normally associated with position.

• Must be licensed to practice by an approved Oklahoma state licensure board.

• Must be able to pass OSBI and FBI background check.

• A trial period of 12 months will be required.

• Some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8.

HOPE. COMPASSION. COMMITMENT. As a Hope-centered agency the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) strives to provide Oklahoma youth and families with the resources and support they need to reach their full potential. Our mission is to collaborate with youth, families, and community partners to create pathways for success through prevention and treatment for all Oklahoma Youth. Check out why we are passionate about juvenile affairs and believe it is the career for you!

Extensive Benefits: We know that benefits matter and that is why we offer a competitive benefits package for all eligible employees.

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: A wide choice of health insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions.

• Flexible Spending Accounts: Options for health and dependent care expenses.

• Retirement Savings Plan: With a generous company match to help secure your future.

• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees.

• 11 paid holidays a year.

• Employee Assistance Program: Support when you need it. 

• Longevity Bonuses: For years of dedicated service. 

• Training Opportunities: Continuous learning and development for CEU requirements. 

About Us: Our vision is that all Oklahoma youth and families have the resources and support they need to reach their full potential. We collaborate with youth, families, and community partners to create pathways for success through prevention and treatment for all Oklahoma youth.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and help change the lives of Oklahoma’s most at-risk youth!

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer