Essential Job Functions: 

Program Activities and Therapeutic Milieu Support

• Develop, implement, and maintain a structured activity schedule that supports individualized treatment plans, recovery goals, and positive youth development.
• Facilitate clinical group-based and individual activities that promote pro-social behavior, emotional regulation, and skill development.
• Support the therapeutic milieu by reinforcing program expectations, behavioral interventions, and coping strategies consistent with treatment plans.
• Collaborate with clinical, nursing, education, and operations staff to ensure activities align with assessed needs, service plans, and level of care requirements.
• Ensure all programming is trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, culturally competent, and inclusive.
• Maintain appropriate staff-to-client boundaries in accordance with ethical standards and agency policy.

Clinical Support and Compliance Responsibilities

• Function as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, supporting services aligned with the recipient’s individualized treatment plan.
• Provide therapeutic support within scope of practice using evidence-based interventions, including cognitive behavioral and supportive techniques.
• Deliver or support group therapy services, defined as cognitive behavioral or supportive interventions for recipients and, when appropriate, their families, in accordance with DCF 65D-30 and credentialing requirements.
• Provide education and guidance to families or responsible parties to support treatment and recovery, within confidentiality guidelines.
• Recognize, document, and report signs and symptoms of substance use and co-occurring disorders.
• Maintain compliance with DCF 65D-30, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, patient rights, and trauma-informed care standards.
• Complete timely, accurate documentation in the electronic health record to support medical necessity and billable services.
• Respond to and document critical incidents in accordance with agency and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all services uphold recipient dignity, safety, rights, and confidentiality.

Community Outreach and Partnership Development

• Serve as the designated Outreach Lead in accordance with Florida Network standards and contractual expectations.
• Develop and implement an annual Outreach Plan (due February 1st) identifying target populations, service gaps, and engagement strategies.
• Represent the program at DJJ Board meetings, community councils, and stakeholder events.
• Establish, maintain, and document formal partnerships with community providers, including written agreements outlining referral processes and service coordination.
• Maintain documentation of outreach activities, including meeting minutes, attendance logs, and educational presentations.
• Submit required outreach documentation and partnership agreements to the Florida Network as required.
• Promote accessibility of services and provide accurate program education to community stakeholders.

Regulatory and Quality Assurance Expectations

• Ensure compliance with all DCF licensing standards, CARF accreditation standards, and Florida Network contractual requirements.
• Participate in internal audits, quality improvement activities, and accreditation readiness efforts.
• Adhere to agency policies regarding incident reporting, documentation standards, safety procedures, and supervision requirements.
• Maintain readiness for audits by ensuring documentation, schedules, and outreach records are current, accurate, and accessible.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience: 

Bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related human services field required.

Relevant professional credentials include:

• Certified Addiction Professional (CAP)
• Master’s Level CAP
• Master’s Level Practitioner
• Bachelor’s Level Practitioner

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year experience working with at-risk youth in a behavioral health, residential, or community-based setting.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of adolescent development, behavioral health, and substance use disorders.
• Understanding of DCF regulations, CARF standards, and documentation requirements.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to facilitate structured groups and activities effectively.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and manage crisis situations appropriately.
• Proficiency in electronic health records and Microsoft Office Suite.

Core Competencies:

• Trauma-informed, client-centered care
• Ethical practice and professional integrity
• Multidisciplinary teamwork and collaboration
• Regulatory compliance (DCF, CARF)
• Knowledge of adolescent behavioral health and substance use
• Therapeutic engagement and group facilitation
• Crisis recognition and de-escalation
• Clinical documentation accuracy
• Understanding of patient rights, confidentiality, and boundaries
• Strong organization, problem-solving, and initiative

Work Environment and Schedule:

This position operates in a licensed residential treatment setting and within the community. The role requires flexibility to support evening and weekend programming, outreach events, and client-centered activities and clinical groups.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Florida driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of personal automobile insurance if required to drive an SMA vehicle and/or use a personal vehicle for SMA business. Complete State of Florida mandatory background screening prior to start of employment.  Complete SMA required training during the first six (6) months of employment and updated if required.

Physical: Mobility and ability to bend and reach during an 8-12 hour day. Able to lift minimum 10 pounds. Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate, intervene, treat, and record client health care needs. Fine motor skills for legible and accurate charting, daily correspondence and presentation, either manually or orally. Work endurance ability to work 8-12 hour shifts with a meal break, as possible. Routine 8-12 hour shifts. Hours and days off may vary. Extra hours may be required. Work assignment locations may vary.

Application: This class specification is intended to identify the class and illustrate the kinds of duties that may be assigned to its incumbents.  It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties whose performance may ever be required of such an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.