Director of Mental Health Services

Director of Mental Health Services

Salary

$106,438.00 Annually

Location

Smith County Juvenile Services, 2630 Morningside Drive, Tyler, TX

Job Type

Exempt

Job Number

00690

Department

Juvenile Services, Mental Health

Opening Date

10/06/2026

• Description
• Benefits

Summary/Objective

The Director of Mental Health Services provides leadership, clinical oversight, and coordination of mental health services for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. This position is responsible for overseeing the delivery of psychological services, conducting psychological and forensic evaluations, providing clinical consultation and supervision, and supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of mental health programming within the agency.

The Director works collaboratively with juvenile probation officers, detention staff, court personnel, families, and community providers to identify the mental health needs of youth and coordinate appropriate interventions. This position provides leadership and professional guidance to mental health staff while ensuring the delivery of effective, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate services.

The Director plays an integral role in supporting the agencys mission by promoting rehabilitation, addressing the underlying mental health and behavioral needs of youth, and facilitating successful transitions back into their families and communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment and Forensic Evaluation

• Conducts comprehensive psychological and forensic evaluations for youth referred by the juvenile court or juvenile probation department.
• Administers, scores, and interprets psychological assessments to evaluate intellectual, emotional, behavioral, personality, and adaptive functioning.
• Assesses mental health needs, trauma history, substance use, behavioral concerns, and risk factors to inform treatment recommendations and case planning.
• Prepares comprehensive psychological reports and provides expert testimony and clinical recommendations to the court, as appropriate.
• Conducts clinical assessments to determine eligibility for specialized treatment programs and appropriate levels of care.

Clinical Services and Treatment Coordination

• Oversees the delivery of mental health services to youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
• Provides individual, group, and family therapy as clinically indicated.
• Develops and oversees individualized treatment plans and monitors progress toward identified treatment goals.
• Oversees specialized treatment services addressing mental health disorders, trauma, substance use, problematic sexual behavior, emotional dysregulation, and other behavioral concerns.
• Coordinates mental health services for youth in detention, residential programs, and community-based supervision.
• Collaborates with psychiatrists, medical providers, families, and community agencies to facilitate continuity of care.
• Oversees discharge planning, family reintegration, and transitions to community-based mental health services.
• Provides clinical consultation and guidance regarding youth experiencing psychiatric crises, suicidal ideation, aggression, or other significant behavioral concerns.

Program Development and Administration

• Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of mental health and specialized treatment programs within the agency.
• Develops and supports evidence-based interventions and programming to address the clinical and behavioral needs of youth.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and implements improvements to enhance service delivery and treatment outcomes.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to develop strategies that promote rehabilitation, emotional and behavioral stability, and successful community reintegration.
• Establishes and maintains clinical policies, procedures, and protocols to support consistent and effective mental health service delivery.
• Participates in agency leadership initiatives, strategic planning, and program development.
• Assists with departmental budget planning, resource allocation, and the identification of opportunities to enhance mental health services.
• Ensures mental health programming and clinical practices comply with applicable professional, ethical, legal, and agency standards.

Clinical Supervision and Leadership

• Provides leadership, supervision, and professional guidance to mental health staff, trainees, and other designated personnel.
• Oversees clinical service delivery and promotes professional development, accountability, and collaboration among mental health team members.
• Provides clinical consultation regarding psychological assessment, treatment planning, behavioral interventions, crisis management, and complex clinical cases.
• Collaborates with juvenile probation officers, detention personnel, court staff, and other professionals to coordinate comprehensive services for youth.
• Provides training and education to agency staff and court personnel regarding adolescent mental health, trauma-informed care, behavioral interventions, and specialized treatment programming.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings, treatment planning, and agency initiatives designed to improve the quality of care provided to youth.
• Promotes a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and effective interdisciplinary communication.
• Ensures accurate clinical documentation and adherence to applicable professional, ethical, and agency standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision and leadership to Mental Health Services staff.
• Supervises licensed and unlicensed mental health professionals, interns, practicum students, and other assigned personnel.
• Assigns and monitors work responsibilities and ensures appropriate workload distribution.
• Provides clinical consultation, supervision, and guidance regarding complex cases.
• Participates in the recruitment, selection, onboarding, and training of Mental Health Services staff.
• Addresses performance and personnel concerns in coordination with agency administration.
• Ensures staff compliance with agency policies, ethical standards, professional licensing requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Oversee the quality and consistency of clinical documentation, treatment planning, assessment, and service delivery.
• Promotes effective communication, collaboration, accountability, and professional development within the department.
• Collaborates with agency leadership regarding staffing, departmental operations, resource needs, and program priorities.
• Provides overall leadership and oversight of the Mental Health Services Department.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of psychological assessment, human development, adolescent psychopathology, behavioral interventions, and evidence-based treatment approaches.
• Working knowledge of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), psychiatric diagnoses, and psychotropic medications commonly prescribed to children and adolescents.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, risk assessment, and the unique mental health needs of youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
• Ability to administer, score, interpret, and integrate psychological assessment instruments into comprehensive clinical and forensic evaluations.
• Ability to develop individualized treatment recommendations and provide effective psychological interventions for youth with complex mental health and behavioral needs.
• Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment, analyze complex information, and provide appropriate recommendations to the juvenile court and multidisciplinary treatment teams.
• Ability to provide clinical supervision, consultation, and professional guidance to mental health staff and other agency personnel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate clinical findings and recommendations to youth, families, court personnel, and other professionals.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize clinical responsibilities, meet court deadlines, and coordinate treatment and discharge planning.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, exercise discretion, and adhere to applicable ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and agency policies.
• Ability to respond effectively to behavioral crises and provide clinical guidance regarding crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety planning.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage competing priorities, and support the continued development and improvement of mental health services.

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of required criminal background checks and drug screening following a conditional offer of employment.
• Employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing and testing based on reasonable suspicion in accordance with applicable county policies.
• Official educational transcripts and documentation of professional licensure may be required during the hiring process.
• Must be able to work effectively with youth exhibiting significant emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.
• Must be able to respond to crisis situations and assist with the implementation of appropriate intervention and de-escalation strategies to maintain the safety of youth and staff.

Education and Experience

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Clinical, Counseling, Forensic, or School Psychology from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of one (1) year of clinical experience providing psychological assessment, treatment, or related mental health services.
• Experience working with children and adolescents, preferably within juvenile justice, forensic, residential treatment, or other behavioral health settings.

License and Certificates

• Must possess and maintain an active license as a Psychologist issued by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Texas drivers license and automobile liability insurance coverage meeting the minimum requirements established by law.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout office, detention, and other agency environments.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while completing evaluations, reports, documentation, and other administrative duties.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, and related technology.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic means.
• Ability to observe and interact with youth and staff in clinical, detention, and community settings.
• Ability to move throughout secured areas of the facility and respond to situations requiring immediate clinical consultation or assistance.
• Ability to travel to court, community locations, training events, and other agency-related locations as required.
• Must be able to work in an environment involving youth who may exhibit emotional dysregulation, verbal aggression, or physically aggressive behavior.
• Must be able to respond appropriately to emergency or crisis situations and follow established safety, crisis intervention, and de-escalation procedures.

HOLIDAYS

Smith County employees enjoy 12 holidays a year. These are:

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• Administrative Day (Employees Choice)

Each year, Commissioners Court sets the official holiday schedule.

VACATION LEAVE

1 day earned per month (12 days per year). After 5 years of service, 1 1/4 days earned per month (15 per year). After 10 years service, 1 1/2 days earned per month (18 per year).

SICK LEAVE

1 day given per month. Allowed to accrue maximum of 80 days.

SICK LEAVE POOL

Smith County has established a Sick Leave Pool on a voluntary, contributory basis.

MILITARY LEAVE

Granted up to 15 calendar days per year.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

Unpaid leave may be granted by Department Head for up to 60 days (over 60 days requires Commissioners Court approval) for purposes of:

(1) education that may contribute to the benefit of the County,

(2) public service assignment,

(3) attending to important personal business.

CITIZENSHIP LEAVE

Provides that employees receive normal pay during period called for jury duty which includes both the jury selection process and, if selected, the time the employee actually spends serving on the jury; serving as a subpoenaed witness; and for the purpose of voting.

FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

Provides for up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons during a 12-month period, and up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave in a single 12-month period to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Smith County offers a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan to its employees and employees eligible dependents. The plan is administered by The Health Plan.

DRUG CARD COVERAGE

Employee prescription costs are $10 Copay for Generic, $30 Copay for Formulary Brand, $45 Copay for Non-Formulary Brand. Mail service is available for maintenance prescriptions. 90-day max supply retail or mail order.

• Mandatory Generic - if generic is available, you will pay the difference between the generic drug and the Brand, plus the Brand copay.

DENTAL INSURANCE

Preventative checkups and cleaning (2 per year) at no cost to employee. Dental work after a $50 deductible per year (maximum of $150 per family) has maximum benefit of $2,000 per year per covered person. Basic services are covered at 80%, major services at 80% and orthodontics (up to age 19) at 50% up to $1,500 lifetime benefit.

LIFE INSURANCE

Up to $10,000 paid for by County. Additional supplemental coverage available at employees expense.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE

Furnished at no cost to employee. Pays 50% of life amount for loss of limb or eye; 100% for loss of 2 limbs or death due to an accident.

RETIREMENT

Employees are eligible to retire: after 20 years of service regardless of age, at age 60 with at least 8 years of service or when age plus service equals 75.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

A payroll deduction savings plan which allows employees to contribute a portion of their salary before Federal taxes - to invest in a tax-favored supplemental retirement program.

For additional benefits information click on the link below:

https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/human-resources/benefits

Employer Smith County

Address 200 E. Ferguson Street

Suite 202

Tyler, Texas, 75702

Phone 903-590-4641

Website http://www.smith-county.com