Mental Health Counselor
SALARY: $4,291.67 monthly or $24.76 per hour (after probationary period)
ANNUAL CERTIFIED SALARY: $51,500.00
Standard probationary period of 6 months during which time salary is reduced by $50.00 per month.
The MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR provides mental health services to inmates within the county jail, including assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and treatment planning. This position plays a critical role in maintaining inmate well-being, supporting facility safety, and ensuring compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
LICENSE REQUIRED: Candidates must possess a valid Texas Driver License and hold current licensure in the State of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or be eligible to obtain such licensure. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related field is required, along with experience in a correctional, clinical, or crisis intervention setting. Candidates must also successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation, drug screening, and required psychological and medical evaluations.
SHIFT: Standard 5-day (40-hour) work week (8:00AM - 5:00PM) with two days off, and an hour for meal break during each shift. Must be available for call out at the facility, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
REGULAR PAYDAYS: Payday occurs biweekly (every two weeks) resulting in a total of 26 pay periods each calendar year. In instances where a payday coincides with a holiday or weekend, payroll will be processed on the business day preceding the holiday or weekend.
PAID OVERTIME: Overtime compensation is paid at a rate of one and one-half (1.5) times the employee’s regular hourly rate and is reflected in each paycheck.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: Employees are encouraged to reside within the boundaries of Nolan County, an adjacent county, or within a maximum one-hour response time, accounting for traffic and/or inclement weather conditions.
LONGEVITY PAY: For each year of completed service after five years, the amount is set at $5.00 per month. Employees with six to ten years of service will receive $10.00 per month for each year of completed service. For those who have rendered ten to fifteen years of service, the compensation increases to $15.00 per month for each year of completed service, with this rate applying thereafter.
HEALTH, DENTAL AND LIFE: Major medical health insurance (Blue Cross/Blue Shield), dental insurance coverage as well as a $10,000 life insurance policy is provided at no cost. Dependent health and dental coverages are available (See attached dependent coverage document)
LEAD TIMES: 80 hours of vacation per year. (120 hrs. of vacation per year after 10 years of service);
13 paid holidays (8 hrs. per holiday – 104 hours annually); 8 hours of sick leave accumulated per month up to a maximum of 480 hours
RETIREMENT: Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS) – Nolan County contributes $2.00 (200% match) for each dollar the employee has withheld. (Beginning January 1, 2026)
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT: Uniforms, coats, duty gear, radios, body cameras and vehicles if applicable, are provided to personnel.
SELECTION GUIDELINES: The selection process includes submission of a formal application, evaluation of education and experience, and an oral interview. Candidates will be required to complete a background investigation, participate in a secondary interview, and successfully pass the Accuplacer assessment, drug screening, and psychological examination.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is sedentary and requires the physical ability to sit for extended periods of time and operate computers (Windows-based systems), telephones, radio equipment and read and prepare reports, legal documents, and related materials. Must be able to see well enough to read computer terminal, printouts, and reports.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Primarily works in a safe and secure office environment; however, duties are also performed within the jail facility, where stressful and potentially hazardous situations may arise. The position may involve exposure to biohazards, communicable diseases, hazardous materials, chemicals, bodily fluids, sharp objects, and other risks inherent to a correctional setting. While work is generally conducted during regular business hours, the Mental Health Counselor may be required to provide services outside of standard hours as needed.
DISCLAIMER:This job description is intended to outline the primary duties and responsibilities associated with this position and is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all work requirements. The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
HOW TO APPLY: An employment application may be downloaded here, or obtained in person at the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office & Jail, located at 211 Avenger Field Road, Sweetwater, Texas 79556. A resume may be submitted along with a completed application. (The application is a PDF file and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.
Equal Employment Employer: Nolan County will not discriminate in employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.