MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR 2

Posting number: 2026-03149

Department: DHS - PUBLIC AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Job classification: MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR 2

Posting type: Open Competitive

Categories: Mental Health, Counseling

Summary

The Division of Public and Behavioral Health: Rural Clinics (RC) has an opening for a full time Mental Health Counselor 2 in Carson City, NV. This position requires a working knowledge of theories/principles of counseling including: assessing and treatment planning, symptoms, characteristics and treatment of mental illness, emotional and behavioral disorders, crisis intervention techniques, case management, and psycho-diagnostic techniques. The position also requires knowledge of laws governing abuse and neglect of clients. This position will be part of the Mobile Outreach Safety Team (MOST) and will partner with law enforcement to respond to mental health crises, de-escalate volatile situations, and connect individuals to appropriate care. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, initiating crisis holds, performing welfare checks, and coordinating with community resources. The specialist documents interactions, provides follow-up, and represents the Carson City Sheriff’s Office in outreach, training, and interagency collaboration. Clinical mental health experience, crisis intervention skills, and strong communication are essential. Rural Clinics provides an array of outpatient behavioral health services for both adults and children in 16 clinics which are located in 12 counties across Rural Nevada. Services are generally provided Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Services assist individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and recovery and follow Agency procedures and reimbursement guidelines. Any position that requires licensure to provide clinical services requires the person to be actively working towards licensure and once obtained, maintain the license without lapses and be in good standing with applicable licensing boards. We provide an excellent benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, participation in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), both sick and annual leave, and paid holidays. Rural Clinics provides ongoing training including release time to attend training not Agency-sponsored.

Mental Health Counselors provide counseling, case management, direct clinical services, program development, policy implementation, community and home based services, and behavioral and human services to mentally ill, mentally disabled and/or emotionally disturbed clients in an outpatient, residential, community or similar setting.

Examples of duties

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, social work or closely related academic field and two years of post-Master's degree professional mental health counseling experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and clinical experience at or above a Master's degree and experience as described above.

Qualifications

Conduct appraisals and assessments through interviews with the client, family members and community systems, personal observations, communication with clinicians and representatives of community agencies and organizations, and utilization of standardized techniques to determine client eligibility for services and appropriate course of treatment at the least restrictive level possible.

Conduct or participate in treatment planning by attending treatment team meetings in which client goals are determined, and appropriate strategies and plans are developed and modified as necessary; coordinate and integrate services among members of treatment teams and client support systems; monitor treatment plans and evaluate effectiveness.

Provide individual, family and group counseling and consultative services to clients, their families and support systems utilizing a broad array of intervention techniques required to effectively address client problems, which may include multiple psychosocial problems within the family unit.

Utilize a family and community systems approach to develop and implement treatment plans by working with families and significant others in addition to the client; resolve client problems to prevent reoccurrence; provide recommendations for family reunification and adoption preservation.

Develop and implement after care plans; advocate for clients through interactions with other agencies, organizations, community and support systems such as the courts, welfare, school, juvenile justice, probation and parole, or other similar agencies; monitor after care services to ensure achievement of the goals identified in the treatment plan; provide support and assistance to clients and their families to facilitate the return of clients to the least restrictive environment possible.

Prepare documentation and reports to appraise the court or similar systems regarding clients’ mental and behavioral status; make observations, research client records, and integrate treatment team input to facilitate appropriate and informed decisions.

Review client charts, discuss client treatment at case staffings, or make case presentations; make individual and standardized assessments; integrate and analyze information from all available sources and systems; document quality of care and ensure information is available to other members of the treatment team; complete required forms and reports and maintain documentation to ensure compliance with established laws, regulations, policies and requirements for agency reimbursement including billing forms.

Refer clients to other agencies and organizations and identify resources based on client needs; ensure appropriate human resource services are available to the client to achieve identified treatment objectives.

Provide crisis intervention to include client restraint or appropriate behavioral and environmental controls for clients who may be hostile, combative, aggressive or assaultive; follow established protocols and policy to protect clients, staff, family and others potentially at risk due to client behavior or family dynamics.

Coordinate housing arrangements and write service contracts according to established procedures; monitor providers by conducting on-site visits to ensure quality care and services are provided according to the contract; evaluate appropriateness of housing arrangements and investigate complaints.

Develop formal training programs for agency staff and service providers by researching appropriate topics or training materials; develop training modules, present training programs, and monitor ongoing training activities; develop and maintain training budgets and supplies; and participate in professional development opportunities to acquire necessary knowledge and skills related to the assignment.

Provide workshops within the community, make public presentations, and participate in other forms of instructional activities to educate the community regarding mental health issues; establish rapport and promote understanding between the client, community and agency.

Plan and coordinate new and continuing program development activities by conducting needs assessments; determine new or existing client needs; assess community resources and determine the resources required to implement new and existing programs; provide ongoing evaluation and assessment of program goals, objectives and activities.

Provide clinical supervision of student interns, residents, and volunteers as assigned.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Positions at this level perform a variety of duties described in the series concept including primary clinical care, community services and/or supervision of a limited number of paraprofessional and support staff.   Counselors at this level may be responsible for a single program component, such as housing, residential home programs, alternative living programs such as respite, to include developing policy and procedures, obtaining and tracking services, monitoring the specific program budget, and training providers.  This is the journey level in the series.

Supplemental information

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level. 

Working knowledge of: theories and principles of counseling and psychotherapy; symptoms, characteristics and treatment of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and emotional and behavioral disorders; individual, marital, group and family counseling techniques; case management practices and procedures; crisis intervention techniques; treatment team dynamics; psychotropic medications including desired effects, common side effects, and drug interactions; laws governing abuse and neglect of clients/inmates; ethical standards of care and treatment; evaluation and assessment instruments; psychometric testing procedures and testing instruments; oral communication skills sufficient to confer with colleagues, clients/inmates and others; licensing regulations for various types of housing, residential and other living arrangements; pre-vocational training and supported employment procedures. 

General knowledge of: State and federal rules, regulations and laws pertaining to the agency’s mission; assessments, treatment and strategies used in providing clinical services to specific populations; clinical (peer) review procedures. 

Ability to: assess, develop and implement treatment plans and goals; write comprehensive evaluations, reports and recommendations; interpret intelligence tests and achievement test results; evaluate services provided to clients and investigate complaints.

Recruiter Contact Information: Jennifer Kauble - jenniferkauble@admin.nv.gov