Jail-Based Competency Restoration Peer Specialist

A competency restoration program may be considered when an individual charged with a crime is found by the court to be incompetent to stand trial, typically due to an active mental illness or intellectual disability.  A defendant is evaluated for competency when the defendant is not capable of properly participating in their own defense due to symptoms of mental illness or intellectual disability.

Jail-Based Competency Restoration (JBCR) is an alternative to state hospital-based competency restoration programs with long wait lists which delay treatment.  The newly established Williamson County JBCR unit will remove defendants from general population and provide concentrated services addressing mental illness, while focusing on training and educating individuals charged with a crime.  The benefits of participation include education on legal processes and increased mental health functioning to restore persons to competency so that legal proceedings can resume.

The JBCR Peer Specialist is one member of a multidisciplinary treatment team offering psychiatric evaluation, medication evaluation and management, cognitive behavior therapy, curriculum-based competency restoration education, motivational interviewing, peer support, and treatment planning.  The Peer Specialist is responsible for:

Providing skills training using evidence-based curricula, such as Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Recovery Dialogue and Seeking Safety, in individual and group formats
Providing Intentional Peer Support in individual and group formats
Coordinating aftercare plans in preparation for jail release and/or transition back to general population
This position requires the development and maintenance of effective, professional working relationships with jail and court personnel. A high level of detailed electronic documentation is required and adherence to company and state guidelines is expected.

The person in this position must possess a passion and aptitude for working with individuals who have chronic and severe behavioral health needs and are involved in the criminal justice system. Experience with peer support curricula and knowledge of community resources is required. This position necessitates innovative thinking, patience, resiliency, skills in advocacy, service coordination, and collaborative person-centered recovery planning.

The hours for this part-time position are negotiable.

Location: Williamson County Jail

Salary: $16.00 – $18.75/hr

Applicable Differentials: 

1.00/hour – two years with the center;

1.00/hour – specialty

.75/hour – Bilingual

Why join our team?

BTCS Values our team members and believes it is important to reward and compensate our team members for their contribution to our success. BTCS offers competitive salaries, an excellent benefits package and generous leave accruals.

Medical Insurance: Through BlueCross Blue Shield, we offer comprehensive medical coverage for you and your eligible dependents with access to network and non-network health care providers. Coverage for employees and eligible dependents begins on the first day of the month following 60 days of employment.

Dental Insurance: Through Dental Select, we offer two coverage plans for dental care, to include preventative, basic and major services. Coverage for employees and eligible dependents begins on the first day of the month following 60 days of employment.

Vision Insurance: Through BlueCross BlueShield, we offer vision coverage to include discounts on everyday vision needs, such as eye exams and glasses and/ or contacts. Coverage for employees and eligible dependents begins on the first day of the month following 60 days of employment.

Prescription Plan: Through BlueCross BlueShield, we offer discounts on generic, preferred or brand-name drugs as well as non-preferred drugs at pharmacies or through a convenient home delivery program. Coverage for employees and eligible dependents begins on the first day of the month following 60 days of employment.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Optional pre-tax contributions for medical reimbursement and dependent care plans.

Retirement Plans:
401A: Through this governmental plan, we offer a 7% match to employee contributions.
457/403(b): Through these governmental plans, employees may contribute pre-tax earnings for retirement. Employees may participate on the first day of employment.

Sponsored Insurance:
Life Insurance: Through Dearborn National, we offer basic life insurance of $5,000. Optional supplemental coverage, as well as spouse and eligible dependent policies, are available to purchase.
Long Term Disability/ Accident/ Critical Illness Insurance: Through Dearborn National we offer optional insurance coverages at a competitive rate. Coverage for employees and eligible dependents begins on the first day of the month following 60 days of employment.

Family and Medical Leave: Job protection to provide care related to a child’s birth or adoption, or for yourself or a family member’s serious health condition.

Employee Assistance Program: Through Alliance Worksite Solutions, we offer a no cost, confidential employee assistance program as a resource to resolve personal, family, financial and legal problems for employees and their dependents.

Professional Development: Joining Bluebonnet Trails is about joining a culture of inclusiveness, collaboration, trust, and the invitation and expectation to have a voice. Bluebonnet offers employees the opportunity to participate in professional development that is skill based and offers continuing education courses to enhance knowledge and performance via online courses and instructor led webinars.

Additional Perks:
– Employee Referral Awards
– Licensure Supervision
– Licensure Renewal Fee Reimbursement
– Public Service Loan Forgiveness Programs
– Educational Leave
– Competitive Pay Differentials for Applicable Positions

Minimum Qualifications:
• Lived experience of a mental health condition, a substance use issue, or both
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Willingness to appropriately share one’s own recovery story
• Ability to demonstrate current self-directed recovery
• Must successfully complete the Certified Peer Training, complete 250 hours of supervised work, and pass a certification exam recognized by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License, meet Bluebonnet Trails Community Services driving requirements, and maintain approved driving status throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Current Certified Peer Specialist
• Current WRAP Seminar II Certificate
• Re-entry Endorsement
• Co-Occurring Endorsement
• WHAM Practitioner
• Seeking Safety practitioner
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)