Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 676,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras with approximately 106,000 residents living in unincorporated areas of the county. Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget, capital investments and other funds of more than $1 billion. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.

Bernalillo County

Department of Human Resources

Job Descriptions

What does the red Zia symbol mean? The Zia sun symbol represent the four cardinal directions, the four seasons of the year, the four period of each day (morning, noon, evening, and night), and the four seasons of life (childhood, youth, middle age, and old age). The centre of the sun symbol stands for life itself. The yellow field with red symbol pays recognition to the Aragon Realm of the conquistadors and their homeland in Spain.
JCP302: Clinical Social Worker/Clinical Counselor

Clinical Social Worker/Clinical Counselor

Job Code
Grade
Bargaining Unit
JCP302
7
None
       
       
Salary
As Hourly
As Annual
61,339.00 - 77,043.00 - 96,866.00 USD Annual
$29.49 - $37.04 - $46.57
$61,339.00 - $77,043.00 - $96,866.00


POSITION SUMMARY


The Clinical Social Worker/Clinical Counselor provides addiction counseling services in accordance with their scope of licensure to clients in various programs operated by the department. Delivers treatment services in a manner consistent with the department’s treatment modality. Provides clinically based training to other professionals within the department on a variety of topics or as assigned.

FUNCTIONAL AREA: PUBLIC SAFETY
Serve as a Clinical Social Worker/Clinical Counselor for the Bernalillo County Public Safety Division. Function as a clinician or counselor with a focus on educating, counseling, conducting possible pre-employment screenings, and evaluating the mental health needs of Public Safety personnel. Deliver treatment services in a manner consistent with the department’s treatment modality. Provide evaluations, assessments, crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals for members of the Public Safety Division. Develop curricula to proactively address issues impacting Public Safety, such as PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide. Provide clinically based training to other professionals within the department on a variety of topics or as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

FUNCTIONAL AREA

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

  • Gather relevant client information through screenings, assessments, and case histories; evaluate findings to determine client treatment and intensity needs.
  • Formulate Individual Service Plans that systematically and holistically address client treatment needs.
  • Provide clinically based training and supervision to other clinicians and/or interns within the department on a variety of topics or as assigned.
  • Provide therapeutic interventions as appropriate for clients in crisis situations, such as suicide.
  • Refer clients to other treatment or supportive services based on assessed needs, including medical providers, psychological evaluations, other treatment programs, and support groups.
  • Conduct individual and group counseling sessions as appropriate to licensure level and within the guidelines of the department's clinical structure.
  • Facilitate treatment-oriented, education-based groups following guidelines and protocols consistent with the department’s chosen treatment modality.
  • Provide consultation, training, and treatment planning for staff.
  • Initiate and maintain accurate case files; document notes related to care provided; maintain records of referrals and related documentation.
  • Prepare documents for presentation and detailed client progress reports as required.
  • Maintain ethical standards of practice, professional competence, confidentiality, and responsibility to clients and the profession, in accordance with New Mexico occupational and professional licensing board standards.
  • Attend staff meetings and team conferences as assigned.
  • Perform other job-related duties as required or assigned.

PUBLIC SAFETY

  • Work as part of a co-responder team to meet the specialized needs of Public Safety employees.
  • Respond to and evaluate staff after a wide range of crisis events, either as part of a team or individually.
  • Conduct brief safety and risk assessments (e.g., suicidality, homicidality) using a trauma-informed approach for Public Safety employees.
  • Provide short-term, solution-focused clinical interventions as indicated.
  • Follow up with Public Safety employees who, based on assessment, need additional contact and support.
  • Develop follow-up action plans with individuals as needed.
  • Provide on-call support as needed.
  • Conduct mental health assessments as needed.
  • Maintain sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
  • Support the Peer Support Coordinator and Peer Support Program with professional guidance.
  • Provide support for other Public Safety programs such as Peer Support, Chaplaincy Program, MAP liaison, and EAP liaison.
  • Help develop a strong program for new hires and their transition to prepare them for mental health self-advocacy and awareness.
  • Coordinate with mental health agencies and community support resources.
  • Research and implement an effective alcohol and drug awareness and prevention program focused on wellness and job security.
  • Create a comprehensive suicide risk assessment.
  • Maintain 100% exposure to Public Safety employees through cyclical visits and by taking advantage of all opportunities to interact with employees.
  • Build trust through participation in sit-ins and ride-alongs.
  • Work with Peer Support and Public Safety programs in the event of a member’s suicide, employee death, or severe medical event involving Public Safety employees.
  • Perform related duties and other assignments as needed.

YOUTH SERVICES CENTER (YSC)

  • Gather relevant client information through screenings, assessments, and case histories; evaluate findings to determine client treatment and intensity needs.
  • Formulate Individual Service Plans that systematically and holistically address client treatment needs.
  • Provide clinically based training and supervision to other clinicians and/or interns within the department on a variety of topics or as assigned.
  • Provide therapeutic interventions as appropriate for clients in crisis situations, such as suicide.
  • Refer clients to other treatment or supportive services based on assessed needs, including medical providers, psychological evaluations, other treatment programs, and support groups.
  • Conduct individual and group counseling sessions as appropriate to licensure level and within the guidelines of the department's clinical structure.
  • Facilitate treatment-oriented, education-based groups following guidelines and protocols consistent with the department’s chosen treatment modality.
  • Provide consultation, training, and treatment planning for staff.
  • Initiate and maintain accurate case files; document notes related to care provided; maintain records of referrals and related documentation.
  • Prepare documents for presentation and detailed client progress reports as required.
  • Maintain ethical standards of practice, professional competence, confidentiality, and responsibility to clients and the profession in accordance with New Mexico occupational and professional licensing board standards.
  • Attend staff meetings and team conferences as assigned.
  • Perform other job-related duties as required or assigned.

*The above information is intended to outline the general nature and scope of the duties required for this position. It is not an exhaustive list and may vary depending on specific job assignments and responsibilities. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Mental Health, Social Work or a related field.
  • Two (2) years post-graduate, supervised related work experience in individual and group therapy for individuals with co-occurring substance misuse and mental health disorders. OR an Associate's degree in a related field plus 4 years related experience.
  • Current and valid New Mexico Licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADAC) OR Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA). OR a current provisional license from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department in any of the above-mentioned license types may conditionally serve to satisfy the licensure requirement. The provisional license shall only serve in meeting the licensure requirement for as long as it remains valid. Failure to maintain an active licensure status shall violate the conditional employment and will result in re-assignment or termination.

FUNCTIONAL AREA

YOUTH SERVICES CENTER (YSC)

  • Master’s degree in social work or counseling, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor certificate (LMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor, OR (LPC) Licensed Master Social Worker certificate (LMSW).

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

SCREENING AND COMPLIANCE

The offer of this Bernalillo County position requires compliance with the following:

  • Employee must successfully complete the post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.
  • This position is safety sensitive. Employment is subject to a pre-employment and random drug testing in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state rules and regulations regarding alcohol and/or drug testing.
  • Employee must comply with the safety guidelines of the County.
  • Employee must possess and maintain a New Mexico driver’s license.
  • Employee must complete the required FEMA training(s) as assigned to the position.
  • Pursuant to the criminal history screening for Caregivers Act, Section 29-17-1 through Section 29-17-5 NMSA 1978, new hires at the Department of Behavioral Health Services facility will be required to complete a caregiver criminal history screening for all caregivers. Conviction of a disqualifying condition is cause for termination or sufficient reason not to hire if the applicant has a disqualifying condition on their record at the time of application.
  • All positions may be required to work various shifts and be scheduled per department needs.

PREFERENCES

PUBLIC SAFETY

  • Experience creating and implementing mental health and substance abuse/awareness programs and tracking data on the effectiveness of such programs.
  • Ability to work and communicate effectively with multiple departments and agencies to build a strong mental health program for the Public Safety Division.
  • Strong background in PTSD and addiction.
  • CISD Trained.
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma-informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (T-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR).
  • The assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Human behavior and performance.
  • Write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
  • Use clinical problem-solving techniques, follow confidentiality procedures, and use counseling techniques.
  • Use psychological treatment techniques.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Most essential duties are performed indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.
  • The indoor working surface is even and either carpeted or tiled.
  • Indoor surfaces are typically dry and may involve the use of stairs.
  • Work hazards or potential work hazards include those of a correctional facility environment, with exposure to noise and dangerous situations that could involve serious bodily injury and other work hazards.
  • Works alone primarily, with or without direction; works with groups at times and/or with select teams.
  • Required to work varying shifts and schedules to meet department needs to include day, swing, nights, and/or weekends.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS

  • Utilizes computers and communication equipment on a daily basis.
  • May utilizes facility keys, handcuffs, and shackles on a frequent basis.
  • May handle first aid and oxygen equipment on an occasional basis.
  • Equipment typically used to perform administrative duties includes the fax machine, computer, photocopy machine, and telephone/pager.
  • Materials and products typically handled in the performance of administrative duties include files, forms, reports, various other forms of paperwork, with a variety of basic office supplies and equipment.
Revision: 9/5/2025 7:14:45 PM