Full Text
Forensic Counselor Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 10/20/05 Amended: 7/15/08; 11/17/22 FORENSIC COUNSELOR DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a professional position involving responsibility for providing forensic counseling services to inmates incarcerated in the Cortland County Jail. These duties include responsibility for identifying, assessing, and managing problems related to mental illness and disability, developing a plan of care for inmates and their families in need of services, and consulting with staff and community resource persons. Employees in this class differ from the Certified Social Worker and Staff Social Worker positions by virtue of their more specialized clientele with leeway allowed for independent action. The work is performed according to agency policy, practice, and procedures under the direct supervision of the Director of Community Mental Health Services and the general supervision of the Consulting Employees may be required to participate in an on-call rotation during clinic hours to respond to emergency situations. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Performs individual and or group as indicated in a Treatment Plan and in consultation with a multi-disciplinary Mental Health Department team, the Sheriff's Department staff, and other agencies as appropriate; Performs preliminary assessments of clients requesting service per agency and state regulations which may involve gathering specific information as specified in the Intake Form; Maintains all clinical records relevant to cases per clinic and state policy; Provides services in coordination with other services as needed alcohol assessment and treatment) including discharge planning to facilitate transition to next setting whether that be a community plan or higher level of care. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures of Community Mental Health consultation and the social factors affecting mental illness; Good knowledge of Forensic Mental Health; Good knowledge of and diagnostic systems; Good knowledge of Good knowledge of crisis intervention, good knowledge of human development and behavior, ability to function as a member of a multi disciplinary team for treatment plans, ability to interpret federal, state, and local laws; Regulations and procedures affecting mental health programs; Ability to prepare written records and reports; Tact; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Masters degree in Social Work, or Counseling from a school approved by the NYS Department of Education or a limited permit to practice social work services in New York State. ---PAGE BREAK--- Forensic Counselor Page 2 I 2 NOTE: Degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, applicant must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/cfm. Applicants must pay the required evaluation fee.