Mental Health Therapist/Court Liaison

Salary : $26.85 - $35.47 Biweekly
Location : METRO JAIL AT 136 N. COURT ST. PRATTVILLE AL 36067, AL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: JAIL
Opening Date: 10/22/2026
Closing Date: 11/5/2026 4:00 PM Central

Provides therapeutic services, crisis intervention, and care coordination for individuals during the jail booking process, individuals already incarcerated, as part of mental commitment hearings, and individuals referred by the courts. Responds with the Mental Health Deputy to high risk or time sensitive incidents. Works with jail personnel, the Probate Office, courts, community providers, and other agencies to coordinate services for individuals with mental health needs. Performs clinical duties within the scope of the employee's professional license and serves as a liaison between the correctional, behavioral health, and judicial systems. Assignments are broad in scope and require the use of independent judgment and initiative in making decisions of considerable difficulty.

Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following list was developed through a job analysis; however, it is not exhaustive and other duties may be required and assigned. A person with a disability which is covered by the ADA must be able to perform the essential functions of the job unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Mental Health Therapist

Provides mental health services to individuals housed in the jail, including clinical assessments, treatment planning, counseling, crisis intervention/response, and coordination of care within the scope of professional licensure. Serves as a liaison among the Sheriff's Office, jail personnel, the Probate Office, courts, and community providers to coordinate evaluations, referrals, court-related services, and continuity of care during incarceration and upon release. Informs the Probate Judge of individuals' treatment progress as it was ordered by the courts.

1. Responds with the Mental Health Deputy in the field when immediate action is required, functioning as part of a coordinated law enforcement/clinical team during high risk or time sensitive incidents.

1. Conducts preliminary mental health screenings and clinical assessments of individuals during the jail booking process, individuals already incarcerated, and individuals referred by the courts to identify symptoms, immediate concerns, and potential eligibility for mental health services or programs.

1. Conducts initial meetings with individuals to explain available mental health services, assessment procedures, program requirements, and the referral or treatment process.

1. Performs individualized needs assessments to identify appropriate services, including counseling, substance use treatment, psychiatric evaluation, medication management referrals, and other supportive services.

1. Provides assessment findings and recommendations to the Probate Judge, Presiding Judge, or other courts regarding treatment needs, further evaluation, and possible participation in mental health programs, within the scope of professional licensure.

1. Interviews individuals, treatment providers, family members, and other relevant contacts, as authorized, to obtain information concerning mental health history, current functioning, treatment participation, and support needs.

1. Evaluates mental health symptoms, functional abilities, suicide and self-harm risk, and potential risk to others to determine the need for clinical intervention, safety measures, or further evaluation.

1. Identifies and coordinates appropriate treatment alternatives, community resources, and referral options based on assessed needs, available services, and applicable court requirements.

1. Assists jail personnel in responding to individuals with mental health needs by providing clinical services, coordinating referrals for evaluation and possible involuntary commitment, identifying potential diversion options, and maintaining relevant service data.

1. Consults with the County Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office, and other law enforcement personnel regarding mental health concerns, available services, and appropriate referral procedures within the scope of assigned duties.

1. Prepares and coordinates assessment reports, referrals, and supporting paperwork for Probate Court and other referring courts, as authorized or required.

1. Advocates for access to appropriate mental health services and assists individuals in obtaining information about their rights, available resources, and legal assistance when needed.

1. Meets with the Probate Judge and other authorized court personnel, as required, to discuss assessment findings, treatment recommendations, service coordination, and individual progress during commitment or other court proceedings.

1. Provides crisis intervention for individuals during booking, incarceration, or court-referred assessments and coordinates emergency services and family involvement, as appropriate.

1. Communicates with mental health and substance use treatment providers to determine whether services address assessed needs and whether individuals are meeting applicable treatment or program requirements.

1. Maintains accurate and timely assessments, case notes, treatment recommendations, referral records, and documentation of individual progress and compliance with applicable program requirements.

1. Provides individual and group counseling, education, and guidance concerning mental health conditions, substance use, coping skills, and treatment plans; involves families when appropriate and authorized.

1. Monitors individual progress through follow-up meetings in the jail, clinical reassessments, and communication with treatment providers and authorized court personnel.

1. Coordinates services and advocates for individuals' assessed needs during crises, court proceedings, incarceration, and release planning to support access to treatment and continuity of care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Court Liaison Officer. Communicates clinical findings and recommendations, develops and monitors treatment and transition plans, and connects individuals with appropriate services to support compliance with applicable court requirements, continuity of care, and successful reentry into the community.

1. Communicate with jail medical staff regularly to assess and monitor individuals' mental health status, identify treatment needs, and coordinate services while following facility security procedures.

1. Identifies individuals who may benefit from court consideration of treatment alternatives, diversion programs, or coordinated release planning and communicates clinical findings and service recommendations to authorized court personnel.

1. Provides the Presiding Judge, District Attorney, and other authorized parties with requested reports regarding individuals with mental health needs, including length of incarceration, assessment status, pending referrals, and barriers to treatment or placement.

1. Reviews assessments, treatment records, collateral information, and individual progress to develop clinical recommendations for the referring court within the scope of professional licensure.

1. Coordinates with the Probate Office and appropriate legal personnel regarding assessment referrals, commitment procedures, required documentation, and available treatment options.

1. Works with case managers, mental health professionals, the District Attorney's Office, veterans' service providers, private organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies to arrange and coordinate services for individuals referred through the jail or courts.

1. Identifies appropriate community resources, including outpatient counseling, psychiatric services, substance use treatment, residential programs, housing assistance, and other supportive services.

1. Maintains working relationships with public and private agencies to identify available programs, eligibility requirements, placement options, and barriers to accessing mental health services.

1. Connects individuals with the community mental health center serving Autauga County and other appropriate providers for services such as intensive day treatment, rehabilitation programs, psychiatric care, and residential treatment.

1. Coordinates transitions between jail-based services, court-directed programs, inpatient or residential treatment, and community care to support continued treatment and follow-up.

1. Provides treatment recommendations and proposed transition plans to the District Attorney, referring judge, attorney of record, and other authorized parties, as permitted or required, to assist with release and case disposition planning.

1. Develops individualized reentry plans before release from jail, including follow-up appointments, medication management referrals, treatment placement, transportation resources, and other services needed to support continuity of care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: General Administration. Employees perform general administrative duties to facilitate Autauga County mental health program efficiency. Maintains accurate records and data on court programs and participants using computers, assessment documentation, court documents, and referral information following court documentation procedures in order to track results of programs, reference client information and report results.

1. Maintains program data on process-related outcomes of the court referral system.
2. Captures process data on participants through police records, court records, case notes and the types of service referrals.
3. Maintains accurate client files including treatment information, referrals, and/or case notes according to HIPPA laws.
4. Collects relevant information about clients through interviews and observation.
5. Performs other duties as required.

Minimum qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Qualifications

1. Possess a bachelor's degree in social services.
2. Must possess and maintain an active Alabama license authorizing independent performance of the assigned clinical and therapeutic services.
3. Three years of experience in crisis or treatment in a mental environment; or any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the above-mentioned knowledge, skills and abilities commensurate with the requirements of this job.
4. Possess a current and valid driver's license.
5. Certified in CPR.
6. Ability to be on call 24/7.
7. Ability to travel to attend training seminars.
8. Must attend the 40hr Crisis Response & Intervention Training (CRIT) class within first year of employment.

Supplemental information
Physical Demands

Work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as frequent standing, crouching or crawling in restricted areas, and defending oneself or others from physical attack.

Work Environment

The work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress which require a range of safety and other precautions, e.g. subject to physical attack or mob conditions, or similar situations where conditions cannot be controlled.
All fulltime employees are offered employer paid health insurance for single coverage, family coverage is offered at a split rate between the employee and employer, employer paid life insurance, an employer matched retirement plan through the Retirement Systems of Alabama, (Autauga County participates in the conversion of Tier II employees to a Tier I benefit) as well as, paid sick, vacation, personal and holiday leave.