Description

Waukesha County Department of Health & Human Services is recruiting for a talented professional to join its team as Senior Mental Health Counselor (may underfill as Mental Health Counselor). The current opening is in the Clinical Services Division with responsibility to provide service facilitation and psychosocial rehabilitation services to adults through the DHS 36 certified Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program.

This position is regular full-time and eligible for benefits. General hours are Monday - Friday during business hours. This position will support adults enrolled in Waukesha County’s certified DHS 36 Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program. This position will work with a team that includes: clinical supervisor, service facilitators, mental health professionals, psychiatric prescribers, social workers, and education providers. Selected candidate will have knowledge of mental health and alcohol and other drug use services as they pertain transitioned aged youth and adujlts. Knowledge of and application of principles of welcoming customer service, strengths based treatment, culturally responsive services, psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery principles, and client centered planning are essential. Previous experience providing case management and working with adults with mental health and substance use disorders is preferred.

Example of Duties

Under supervision, to perform senior level professional work involving the delivery of mental health services to individuals in need of counseling and/or case management services; and to perform other duties as required.

• 
  Receives referrals of clients in need of mental health services (performs intake) and monitors client's behavior in relation to treatment plan goals and client's needs.
• Maintains a caseload of individuals with personal social behavior problems including severe mental illness.
• Responds appropriately to mental health emergency situations and utilizes crisis intervention techniques and procedures.
• May screen requests for mental health services, determine appropriate services for client, and refer as necessary.
• Provides counseling and supportive therapy to clients individually and/or in a group setting.
• Provides case management services, coordinating services with various agencies in order to ensure on going assessment and follow through of treatment plans.
• Maintains appropriate documentation of all client contacts, consultation with other professionals, and documents any changes on treatment plan. Intervenes when appropriate in response to changes.
• Participates in various meetings, staffings, and in services; and may provide consultation to other professionals and paraprofessionals.
• Conducts assessments of client needs through interviews, collateral contacts and other investigations and develops a casework plan with clients.
• Provides information to family regarding a client's diagnosis and treatment and provides supportive counseling to family as needed.
• Acts as a departmental liaison, providing casework direction and supervision to providers of contracted services.
• Provides recommendations and testimony in court as to clients' mental health status and submits appropriate documentation.
• Establishes and maintains effective public and working relationships and collateral contact.
• Prepares and presents detailed oral and written reports.
• Documents case assessment, treatment planning and progress notes in the written record.
• Complies with State and Federal Program requirements.
• Performs emergency government duties as assigned in event of Waukesha County Emergency Government declaration.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Knowledge and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of mental health disorders and treatment methods.
• Considerable knowledge of case management principles and methods.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques used in the treatment of mental health disorders.
• Considerable knowledge of human services and health resources in the community.
• Considerable knowledge of Wisconsin State Statutes Chapters 51, 55, 880.
• Working knowledge of techniques to identify clients with alcohol or drug problems.
• Working knowledge of electronic health record, computerized department program software, internet access, and database, spreadsheet and word processing programs.
• Working knowledge of confidentiality statutes and requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
• Ability to utilize word processing, database and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and clients, their families, service providers, colleagues, and the general public.
• Ability to respond appropriately to mental health emergency situations and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate with clients who have mental health disorders.
• Ability to interpret mental illness and its diagnosis and treatment to clients and families.
• Ability to provide skilled treatment to clients with social and behavioral problems.
• Considerable knowledge with regard to assessing client risk.

Minimum Qualifications

Senior Mental Health Counselor must meet these minimum Training and Experience requirements:

1. a. Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with a major in sociology, social work, psychology or a closely related field.
b. Two (2) years of professional experience in the field of mental health including one thousand (1000) hours of experience delivering services to the chronically mentally ill and their families.

OR

2. A Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with at least four (4) courses in sociology, social work, or psychology, plus three (3) years of professional experience in the field of mental health including one thousand (1000) hours of experience delivering services to the chronically mentally ill and their families.
3. A master's degree from a recognized college or university in sociology, social work, psychology, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Supplemental Information

The Department of Health and Human Services may choose to underfill this position as a Mental Health Counselor. The classification specification can be viewed at: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/jobs

The minimum training and experience requirements for Mental Health Counselor are:

• 
  Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with a major in sociology, social work, psychology or a closely?related field.
  OR
• A bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with at least four (4) courses in sociology, social work or psychology, plus one (1) year of professional experience in the field of mental health.

The pay range for Mental Health Counselor is $25.16 - $33.28 per hour.

Waukesha County's pay plans, group insurance programs, and other benefit policies comprise a package that is highly competitive and satisfies the needs of its employees. This is intended to give only a brief summary of the employee benefit package. Additional information will be provided at the time of hire. Benefits for part-time positions are pro-rated.

Health Insurance
High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage begins on the first day of the month following sixty (60) days of employment (not to exceed ninety (90) days). However, newly hired or eligible FLSA-exempt employees may have the waiting period for health coverage waived providing that no double coverage exists. Requests will be reviewed, and approved or denied, on a case-by-case basis. Dependent upon participation in a health risk assessment, employees may be eligible for an employer contribution to their Health Savings Account.

Waukesha Employee Health & Wellness Center
Employees of Waukesha County and their dependents (ages 2+) who are enrolled in health insurance have access to an onsite medical clinic operated by Everside Health. The clinic is located at 615 W. Moreland Blvd in Waukesha. Patient confidentiality is of the utmost importance as all staff are employees of Everside Health. Providers of the clinic include a Board-Certified Physician, three Physician Assistants, one Physical Therapist, and one Health Coach.

The clinic is open Monday - Friday and has early morning to evening appointment times. Patients should be able to schedule same day or next day appointments for service. Services available include: health coaching, preventative/wellness care, non-preventative (illness/injury visits), immunizations, lab work, disease management, physical therapy, medication dispensing, and work-related injuries.

Office Visit Fees Cost
Preventative Care Free
Non-Preventative Care $28.00 per visit (After Deductible Met Copay is $0)
Physical Therapy $28.00 per visit (After Deductible Met Copay is $0)
Medication No separate charge
Medication Refill Appointments No Cost
Health Coaching No Cost
Office visit fees are applied towards health plan deductible and out-of-pocket maximums.

Employee Wellness Activities, Program and Fitness Center
24/7 access to a wealth of health tools and information on the wellness portal. On-going education programs, fitness challenges and classes. On-site fitness center.

Health Care Flexible Spending Account
This plan allows you to make pre-tax payroll contributions to use for the reimbursement of qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses. The 2023 contribution limit is $3,050. This benefit is not available for employees enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following sixty (60) days of employment.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
This plan allows you to make pre-taxed payroll contributions to use for reimbursement of your dependent care expenses. The IRS allows you to contribute up to $5,000 per year from your paycheck for child and/or elder care. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following sixty (60) days of employment.

Dental Insurance
Waukesha County offers you a choice of two dental insurance plans. Coverage will begin on the first of the month following six (6) months of employment.

Vision Insurance
Coverage will begin the first of the month following sixty (60) days of employment.

Premium Option Plan
Employees are automatically enrolled in this pre-tax option. This plan allows you to pay your share of the health, dental, and vision insurance premiums on a pre-tax basis. This means you pay less state, federal, and FICA taxes, thus saving you money. You can elect to pay on a post- tax basis if you prefer.

Vacation
Waukesha County’s vacation plan allows you time off with pay during your first calendar year of employment. You may earn and use eight (8) hours of vacation for each month worked up to a maximum of eighty (80) hours. You will receive eighty (80) hours of vacation for use in your second calendar year and one hundred twenty (120) hours for use in your third calendar year.

Salaried Full-Time Vacation Accrual Schedule

Holidays
Employees are eligible for eleven (11) paid holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, The Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve Day, and Two (2) Floating Holidays that are earned on February 1 and June 1 of each year.

Sick Leave
The Sick Leave Plan is designed to provide you with salary continuation in the event of personal injury or illness. Regular full-time employees are credited with ninety-six (96) hours of sick leave immediately upon employment. Thereafter, sick leave is earned at the rate of eight (8) hours for each month of work up to a maximum of nine hundred sixty (960) hours.

Long-Term Disability
Waukesha County pays the full premium on employee’s behalf for this benefit. The long-term disability insurance plan provides for a monthly income in the event of a disabling injury or illness which renders you incapable of performing your job. Coverage will begin the first of the month after hire date.

Life Insurance
Waukesha County pays the full premium cost on your behalf. You will be insured for an amount equal to two (2) times your prior year gross wages rounded to the next higher thousand dollars. In addition, you are insured for Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefits. Coverage will begin the first of the month following six (6) months of employment.

Voluntary Worksite Benefits
Waukesha County offers supportive voluntary benefit options for Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance. These benefits help pay for unexpected medical costs and other expenses. Each offering is ala carte so you can select the plan that is right for you and your family. Monthly payroll deductions for the Voluntary Supportive benefits are only offered as after-tax deductions, so any benefits received under these plans are tax-free.

Dependent Life Insurance
You may choose to elect dependent life insurance for your spouse and/or eligible dependents. Employees pay the full premium cost for dependent life insurance. Coverage will begin the first of the month following six (6) months of employment.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance
You may choose to purchase additional supplemental term life insurance. Employees pay the full premium cost for supplemental term life insurance. Coverage will begin the first of the month following six (6) months of employment.

Wisconsin Retirement System - Pension Plan
As a full-time employee, you will automatically be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System. This pension is administered by the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds. You will be required to pay the employee’s share of contributions to the fund, while Waukesha County contributes the employer’s share. Employees are vested in their portion of contributions immediately and after five years of creditable service for the employer contribution.

Deferred Compensation
Waukesha County offers access to a 457 Deferred Compensation program that allows you to save and invest for retirement through payroll deduction. This completely employee funded. Participation is voluntary and employees can enroll at any time. Employees may contribute on a pre-tax or Roth basis.

Payroll Roth IRA
Waukesha County offers access to a payroll Roth IRA that allows you to save and invest for retirement through payroll deduction. This completely employee funded. Participation is voluntary and employees can enroll at any time.

Retirement Health Savings (RHS) Plan
This is a benefit funded by Waukesha County. Waukesha County will contribute up to $550 per year into an employee’s RHS account. Funds are available to the participant following separation of employment and can be used for reimbursement of qualified medical expenses or qualified insurance premium payments that occur post-employment. Contributions begin the first month after date of hire.

Social Security
During your working years, you regularly contribute a certain percentage of your income toward Social Security. Waukesha County matches your contribution, dollar for dollar.

Electronic Direct Deposit Program
Employees will be required to have their paychecks electronically deposited into the financial institution and account of their choice. Participants will receive a statement of earnings each payday as opposed to a payroll check.

Worker’s Compensation
As an employee of Waukesha County, you are protected under the Worker’s Compensation Act, which provides for hospital, medical, surgical care, and income loss payments for work-related injuries and illnesses.

Jury Duty & Witness Service
In the event you are subpoenaed for jury duty or subpoenaed to serve as a witness in connection with an incident occurring while at work, you will be eligible for paid leave.

Funeral Leave
In the event of a death in your immediate family, you will be allowed up to twenty-four (24) hours of leave with pay to attend the funeral.

Employee Assistance Program
Waukesha County offers access to a free confidential Employee Assistance Program for all employees and members of their household. The program provides a helping hand with such problems as stress, family & relationship concerns, alcohol or drug dependency, workplace conflicts, work life balance, depression and anxiety, parenting concerns, grief or loss, crisis situations, child or elder care resources, and convenience resources. Participants can receive up to eight (8) visits in person or telephonically with an EAP Provider per clinical issue per 12 months at no cost.

Tuition Assistance Program
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees who have passed a 6-month employment period are eligible for this program. The County will reimburse 75% of eligible educational costs up to $400 per semester (up to $800 per calendar year). Courses must be job-related and of direct benefit to the County or in a designated program to qualify.

Employee Discount Programs
Waukesha County offers discounts on Dell products, cellular service through U.S. Cellular, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and discounted rates on Microsoft 365 through Microsoft Home Use Program.

Pay for Performance
Employees are eligible for performance based merit awards with exceptional and commendable performance ratings.

Student Loan Forgiveness
Employees may qualify to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Special Programs - MyFedLoan).