Reentry Counselor Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

POSITION OVERVIEW The Case Manager II provides full-performance, individualized case management services to an assigned caseload of clients, residents, or program participants. This includes conducting comprehensive assessments, developing individualized care or service plans, coordinating in-jail and community services, monitoring case progress, and supporting structured transition and discharge planning. The Case Manager II works collaboratively with correctional staff, medical and behavioral health professionals, legal partners, courts, program providers, and community agencies to ensure clients have access to appropriate support throughout their case.

This classification is distinguished from Inmate Services Specialist by its ownership of an assigned caseload and responsibility for developing, implementing, and monitoring individualized case plans, rather than facilitating referrals and connections without case ownership; positions that navigate, refer, and connect individuals to services without owning a caseload or developing individualized case plans should be classified as Inmate Services Specialist, not Case Manager. Duties and Responsibilities Screening, Assessment & Care Planning Conducts screenings and comprehensive assessments to identify a client's strengths, risk and protective factors, needs, and goals Develops individualized care or service plans based on assessment findings, in collaboration with the client Ensures care plans address applicable programming, medical/behavioral health needs, educational/vocational goals, legal needs, safety planning, and stabilization Regularly reviews and updates care plans in collaboration with the client Case Management Maintains an assigned caseload and ensures consistent contact with clients Monitors progress toward care plan goals Connects clients to in-jail or in-program services, treatment services, and educational or vocational opportunities Facilitates access to internal and community-based support services Provides support and coaching within scope of practice Maintains accurate and timely case documentation in accordance with agency policy Transition & Discharge Planning Begins transition or discharge planning at intake or as early as possible Develops structured, individualized plans addressing housing stabilization, employment and education pathways, healthcare continuity of care, benefits enrollment, family reunification when appropriate, and community-based service coordination Coordinates warm handoffs to community providers prior to release or case closure Assists clients in preparing required documentation for court, probation, or release conditions, as applicable Advocacy & Collaboration Assists clients in understanding relevant processes (e.g., court, benefits, program requirements) within scope, without providing legal or clinical advice outside the scope of practice Serves as a liaison between clients and correctional staff, legal or court partners, behavioral health providers, and community-based organizations Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings Builds and maintains partnerships to strengthen service pathways Counseling, Support & Crisis Response Provides supportive counseling within the scope of practice, using strengths-based, trauma-informed techniques Develops safety plans in response to identified risks Responds to crises in coordination with clinical and supervisory staff; de-escalates using trauma-informed approaches Documentation & Compliance Maintains timely, accurate, and confidential case records Completes required assessments, reports, and data tracking Adheres to applicable policies, confidentiality requirements (e.g., PREA, HIPAA where applicable), and ethical guidelines Contributes to program evaluation and quality improvement efforts Illustrative Assignment-Specific Duties (examples - not all-inclusive): Inmate Reentry and Education Case Manager - provides comprehensive case management and reentry planning for residents in the jail's reentry and education program This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee in this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Public Health, Counseling, or a related field required. Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of experience in case management, behavioral health, corrections, or community-based services, including experience conducting assessments and developing service or discharge plans. Knowledge of: Ethics, human behavior, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and systems theory Reentry systems, court processes, and community resource networks in the Harris County/Houston metropolitan area Case planning, discharge planning, and assessment methods Ability to: Demonstrate the ability to manage a caseload effectively Engage clients, build rapport, and show empathy and compassion Identify mental health issues and de-escalate agitated or aggressive clients Professionally communicate with an interdisciplinary team, and document through progress notes and reports Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical standards Work effectively in a correctional or high-stress service environment Work overtime and/or varying duty hours as deemed necessary PREFERENCES (The following are NOT mandatory but will be given additional consideration): Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or a related field Licensed or license-eligible clinician (e.g., LMSW, LPC, LCDC, LMFT) where applicable to the assignment Experience facilitating groups or workshops Knowledge of benefits navigation and housing systems Experience coordinating care across systems (corrections, courts, behavioral health, housing, employment) Bilingual (English/Spanish) GENERAL INFORMATION Work Environment: This position operates in a secure jail environment and/or professional office environment, with regular interaction with incarcerated individuals or program clients, and frequent collaboration with correctional officers, medical and behavioral health providers, and institutional leadership

Physical Demands: This role is largely sedentary; the ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds is necessary to lift files and/or boxes of files, documents, etc. Position Type and Typical Hours: This is a full-time, exempt position. Harris County Sheriff's Office operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Most positions in this classification work Monday through Friday, 8-hour shifts scheduled between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; the specific start and end time is established by the assigned Bureau/Division based on operational needs. Some assignments require 24/7 coverage and may include weekend or night shifts, typically 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., or 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m

The specific shift and schedule for a given position are set at the time it is posted. Equal Opportunity Statement Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Due to a high volume of applications, positions may close prior to the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.