Description
Nature of Work
Under professional direction, the purpose of the position is to provide advanced professional counseling and educational training as it pertains to behavioral health and emotional wellness services for both sworn and non-sworn employees and their spouse/domestic partner of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Position applies principles, theories, and techniques to a variety of problems, circumstances and situations encountered in the provision of law enforcement, fire rescue, detention, and civilian administrative services. Responsibilities include providing advanced professional therapeutic care and clinical management services requiring a high degree of skill and mature judgment in evaluating clinical presentation, clinical information and developing appropriate clinical support measures. Duties include on-call availability for agency/employee emergencies or critical incidents on a twenty-four-hour basis, education and development of public safety training programs, providing advisory assistance in personnel management, supervisory consultations, crisis intervention including suicidal and post-trauma, stress management, and referral of agency personnel and to sources of counseling for specialized trauma and substance misuse treatment. Incumbents apply advanced knowledge of educational, managerial, communication, first responder/public safety familiarity, behavior, and social psychology principles, methods, and techniques. Work is performed under consultative supervision with considerable independence of action and opportunity for development of innovative programs. Professional and administrative supervision is received from a superior who evaluates work for effectiveness of professional results. Work is subject to review by the Employee Behavioral Health Services Manager for determining adherence to established policies and procedures. Performs related work as directed.
Essential Functions/Physical Requirements
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
Provides individual, couples, and group counseling services to sworn and non-sworn employees of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Confidentially assists employees by supplying information related to behavioral health services, short-term counseling regarding personal difficulties and information regarding community therapy or psychiatric services.
Conducts clinical interviews and administers and interprets behavioral health screening tools to assess emotional disposition or mental status and develops treatment interventions or recommendations appropriately.
Applies principles, theories, and techniques to a variety of problems, circumstances and situations encountered in the provision of law enforcement, fire rescue, detention services and public safety civilians.
Assists in the supportive counseling of sworn involved in shooting situations, inmate deaths, or other major traumatic incidents at a scene or thereafter.
Provides consultation and assists in the design and development of specialized training programs for both sworn and non-sworn personnel.
Functions on call for response to emergencies, crisis intervention, and critical incidents.
Counsels’ personnel in stress reduction, marital/domestic relationships, work strategies, and related.
Facilitates/convenes in-group sessions involving troubled personnel, to include listening objectively, validating emotions and recommending standard solutions.
Facilitates specialized in-house training programs for both sworn and non-sworn personnel as directed.
Establishes and maintains a network of community-based referral sources including behavioral health services, and substance abuse programs as sources for employee needs.
Attends and participates in behavioral health workshops and meetings; assists in training programs involving recruits and in-service personnel; designs or assists in the design of training programs for sworn and non-sworn employees of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Activates the referral service delivery system for personnel needs based on type of intervention and appropriateness of referral; acts as a resource to counsel employees incurring problems handling stress.
Designs or assists in the design of research programs which apply behavioral science to public safety training, organizational development, and related areas.
Accompanies sworn in the field to observe problems areas and assess the need for additional behavioral training programs or intervention.
Maintains availability as a resource to a command post; assists in counseling sworn personnel and providing educational material after shootings or other traumatic incidents.
Designs and conducts programs in stress management and crisis intervention.
Performs related duties as directed.
Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Tasks are regularly performed in the field alongside law enforcement, detention, and fire rescue personnel to include field visits to work locations, employee homes, healthcare facilities, and other locations, with potential for intermittent exposure to disagreeable elements, e.g. crime scenes, jail settings. Work includes an element of risk dealing directly with individuals in crisis.
Broward Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Broward Sheriff’s Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Recruitment Information
Applicants who qualify will be subject to an extensive selection process and screening program, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; written test; computer based test; interview; polygraph examination; psychological evaluation; employment record, fingerprint and background check; medical examination; and drug screen. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position and could last 10 to 12 weeks. Reapplication will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
BSO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Veterans' preference per Florida law.
Requirements
Minimum Requirements
Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or other behavioral, mental health related field. Doctorate's degree preferred.
A minimum of five years’ licensed experience in clinical assessment, therapy, or crisis intervention is required preferably in a clinical, law enforcement, public safety, corrections, substance abuse services, military, hospital or similar incident environment.
Experience must demonstrate skill in interviewing, clinical assessment, and counseling techniques.
Excellent oral and communication skills.
Possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license without any restrictions that affect job performance.
An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. Such training and/or experience must be demonstrated for consideration.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Professional licensures and certifications must be maintained throughout employment:
Licensed in the State of Florida as a Psychologist, Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
Certified First Responder Therapist preferred.
Trauma informed experience with specialized training or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) EMDRIA certified preferred.
Certified Addictions Professional (CAP) preferred.
