Recovery Program Coordinator presso Harris County Department of Education

Primary Purpose:

To provide dynamic prevention education, assessment, and counseling for students, their parents or legal guardians and faculty on campus. Provide substance abuse/high-risk behavior early intervention education to students from grades 9 through 12; provide individual, group, and family counseling for students; provide intervention and crisis counseling; serve as a consultant to faculty regarding substance use, co-occurring disorders and high-risk behaviors; operate as a member of the school team; provide accurate and timely reports including but not limited to diagnostic summaries, service plans, follow-up reports and progress notes; participate in on-going training workshop as needed and assigned in order to keep skills and licensure current; develop and implement evaluation and outcome studies for students and parents; and organize and present during parent forums/meetings.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Master’s degree from an accredited university preferred
• Counselor certification from the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) preferred and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) credential; or
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and ability to obtain the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) credential within 6 months of hire date

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Strong communications, public relations and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with a specified behavior management system
• Ability to learn, utilize, and control student behavior through specialized therapeutic restraint techniques
• Knowledge of psychosocial issues, interpersonal dynamics, community resources, and treatment planning process
• Ability to implement restorative processes on campus
• Knowledge of counseling procedures, student appraisal, and career development
• Ability to work with multiple levels of students
• Reliable transportation to/from work and between worksites
• General knowledge of computer systems and software applications
• Bilingual skills preferred
• Knowledge of PowerSchool
• Knowledge of credit requirements and state graduation plans
• Ability to train staff as needed (substance abuse, restorative processes, and other appropriate training)
• Ability to communicate effectively orally as well as written expression

Experience:

• Experience developing experiential groups and activities for adolescents
• Experience in working with students with special needs and students in at-risk situations
• Extensive experience in special alternative education and/or juvenile justice programs
• Experience in adolescent substance use treatment and recovery

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Program Management

• Lead the treatment and recovery program to include:
  • Supervision of Recovery Coach(es)
  • Development and Implementation of effective Alternative Peer Groups (ARG)
  • Regular communication/updates of program status to the campus Principal
  • Parent outreach
  • Development of relationships with other organizations within the recovery community
• Assist teaching staff in facilitating restorative circles of guidance-related curriculum
• Provide counseling to individuals and groups of students to develop sobriety goals, and post- secondary goals.
• Develop/utilize an effective referral process to help students and others use transitioned back to his/her home campus/district
• Coordinate assigned individual student placements, activities and services from the inception of assignment to Fortis until the student has successfully transitioned back to his/her home campus/district.
• Assume responsibility for compiling, maintaining, and filing all reports, records and other required documents
• Provide appropriate time, resources, and materials to support the transition process
• Act as a liaison between HCDE Special Schools and the individual student’s home campus
• Conduct conferences with districts and HCDE staff concerning school and student issues as needed
• Use an effective referral process to help students and others use special programs and
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education, the department, and the division in the area of guidance and counseling.
• Maintain confidentiality of information

School Climate

• Present for students a positive role model that supports the mission of the division
• Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors and other campus-based staff
• Comply with all division and local campus routines and regulations
• Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents
• Assess and respond to needs related to job responsibilities
• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the guidance program and implement changes based on the findings.
• Treat all staff with dignity, integrity and respect

Student Management

• Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents
• Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students.
• Analyze and evaluate student records, including but not limited to ARD documents
• Conduct physical student searches

Professional Growth and Development

• Take the initiative to develop needed professional skills appropriate to job assignement
• Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible
• Articulate the division's mission and goals in the area of counseling to community and solicit school districts' and parents' support in realizing the mission.

Community Relations

• Demonstrate awareness of campus and school districts' needs and initiate activities to meet those identified needs.
• Demonstrate the use of appropriate and effective techniques for parent involvement
• Attend Attendance, Review and Dismissal (ARD) meetings as required by the principal
• Perform other duties as assigned