Discuss, consider and take appropriate action regarding the hiring of a candidate for PCN#1047 in Juvenile Services.

Juvenile Services is requesting a salary increase for PCN#1047 in order to hire the selected applicant for the WCJS Facilities Counseling Supervisor position.  
 
This position is Graded at B.28 and the current budgeted salary for this position is $77,197.60 (maximum of the grade).  This position was created as a new position 10 years ago and has been filled by one clinician throughout that period -- he is retiring at the end of March. 
 
This is a critical and important position given the breadth and intensity of serious behavioral health issues present in our population. The Facilities Counseling Supervisor is responsible for all behavioral health services in WCJS Detention and CORE Residential Treatment Program including direct clinical supervision of 3 master’s level clinicians, multiple contract counselors, and multiple counseling interns as well as overseeing all crisis response, behavioral health training, behavioral health operations, and milieu for both facilities.
 
This position was posted externally and only 3 professionals applied for the job, the two applicants not selected had no experience supervising counselors.

The selected applicant has broad experience in law enforcement, juvenile justice, and mental health fields:

• Served as a Police Officer and Detective for 10 years in Austin and El Paso
• Worked previously for WCJS as a Counselor and a Mental Health Program Supervisor
• Most recently supervised Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOTs) of up to 13 direct reports for Travis and Hays County
• Is eligible to supervise master’s level counseling interns
• Has counseled clients with intensive behavioral health needs in crisis, residential, private practice, and community settings
• Is certified in trauma-focused modalities including EMDR and TF-CBT

Current county policy sets the maximum starting salary at 15% above the grade minimum ($61, 271.70)  We are requesting that, in this case, we be allowed to bring in the selected applicant at 25% above the minimum (66,599.67) given that the selected applicant exceeds all of the qualification criteria.  As she has worked previously with our department, we have direct knowledge about her strong work ethic and clinical supervision skills.  Even with this requested increase, this salary would be $10, 598 below the current budgeted salary for the position.  The applicant's salary with MCOT exceeded $72,000.

This position is scheduled to be reviewed by HR next year for appropriate grade, we believe that the minimum of Grade 28 is not adequate to attract qualified applicants for this position along with the 15% maximum rule.