Behavioral Health Specialist II - Jail & Court Based Services

Job Announcement

$2,500 Sign-On Bonus*

We are hiring multiple Behavioral Health Specialist II positions to support the efforts of Diversion First in various positions. You'll be a part of a team of diverse professionals helping individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system transform their lives and achieve recovery. We strive to create a work environment that facilitates professional growth by broadening your skill base with extensive training and development, modeling best practices in employee relations, employee recognition programs and advancement opportunities along with providing a highly competitive wage and benefits package. Since 1969, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has served individuals of all ages who have mental illness, substance use disorders, serious emotional and/or developmental disabilities. Our vision, aligned with the goals of One Fairfax, is that everyone in our community has the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Fairfax County is a dynamic and diverse community spanning over 400 square miles. With over 1.2 million residents, Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia. Operating as part of Fairfax County government's human services system the CSB provides a wide array of services offering opportunities for career growth and advancement.

More information about CSB Services may be found at Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board | Community Services Board (fairfaxcounty.gov)

Positions may be in the following areas:

• Adult Detention Center - Jail Based Clinician
• Sharon Bulova Center for Community Mental Health - Jail Diversion
• Diversion Engagement Team

Adult Detention Center - Jail Based Clinician
The Behavioral Health Specialist II is a clinician on a multidisciplinary team, where co-workers are therapist/case managers, medical staff, peer support specialists and criminal justice system partners. Serving as a primary therapist/case manager, the Behavioral Health Specialist II provides a wide range of professional treatment services to diagnostically, culturally, and socio-economically diverse client populations with serious mental illness, substance use, emotional and co-occurring disorders as well as developmental disabilities. Some of the duties of the position include, behavioral health assessment, direct substance abuse and/or co-occurring mental health services, case management, education, supportive counseling, groups, crisis intervention and stabilization for persons incarcerated within the Adult Detention Center (ADC).

• Location/schedule: Work hours include weekend and evening hours, as well as some holidays. Position is an onsite position at the Fairfax ADC.
• Environmental Bonus: This position is eligible for an annual environmental bonus of $5,408 for full-time positions.

Sharon Bulova Center for Community Mental Health - Jail Diversion
The Behavioral Health Specialist II is a clinician on a multidisciplinary team based out of the Bulova (Merrifield) Center. Your co-workers will be other therapists/case managers, medical staff, and peer support specialists. Serving as an Intensive Case Manager, provides a range of professional treatment services to diagnostically, culturally, and socio-economically diverse client populations with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

Work hours are Monday-Friday and must occur during the program hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Although rare, there may be a need to stay beyond your regular schedule if the need arises. A commitment is made to offer stable schedule as program needs allow.

Diversion Engagement:
Works as part of the Diversion Engagement team. This team supports individuals designated as high utilizers of CSB Emergency Services, the Adult Detention Center, Fairfax County Court Services, and Wellness Circle by providing them engagement and monitoring services to both encourage and support people to connect to ongoing mental health and substance use treatment in order to avoid repetitive hospitalization and/or incarceration. The team also supports the efforts of Diversion First.

The Diversion Engagement Team operates out of the Historic Courthouse located within the Fairfax Judicial Complex. It is a community-based program; work will take place in the courthouse, the adult detention center, various CSB locations to include Emergency Services and Wellness Circle, local shelters, and other community settings. Typical engagement and monitoring duties include education on treatment benefits, linking individuals to intake assessment appointments, linking individuals to basic needs, reminders, and support to attend scheduled appointments and court hearings. This team also conducts outpatient restoration services with individuals deemed not competent to stand trial.

Here are some of the benefits CSB employees enjoy:

• *These positions include a signing bonus for new merit county hires of $2,500 (full-time).
• The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and CSB recognizes that staff competence speaking a variety of languages is necessary to meet client needs. We encourage candidate's bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1,300/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees.
• The CSB provides clinical supervision for employees who are registered as licensed eligible mental health in one of the following areas: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• In addition, to recognize and reinforce the importance of professional development and enhance future recruitment of licensed professionals, if approved, the licensure supervisors will receive a stipend of $1,500 paid out biweekly over a 12-month period whether for one or more Department of Health licensure candidates.

Note: To learn more about Jail & Court-Based Services, please view our video here.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Makes behavioral health diagnoses using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, International Classification of Diseases or other diagnostic tools as required;
• Maintains a diverse caseload of clients with a variety of substance use, developmental disabilities and/or mental illnesses;
• Develops client and/or family centered therapeutic treatment plans, with consideration given to the nature and severity of the behavioral health problem, family, cultural and employment related circumstances, legal involvement, individual and family histories, physical condition, and other pertinent factors;
• Implements therapeutic treatment plan under clinical supervision;
• Conducts independent behavioral health intakes and assessments;
• Provides individual, group, and/or family treatment under supervision;
• Collaborates with service professionals inside and outside of the Community Services Board;
• Adapts and modifies treatment interventions as indicated;
• Provides case management, outreach and engagement services as needed;
• Conducts wellness and health promotion services;
• Maintains all electronic health records according to federal, state and department regulations, ensuring that records of clients on their caseload are complete, accurate and comprehensive;
• Advocates on behalf of clients regarding rights and needed services;
• Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with representatives of community groups and public and private agencies;
• Assesses and monitors the impact of medication on client's functioning and consults with medical professionals as needed;
• Administers medication as ordered by a physician in accordance with department regulations;
• Provides crisis stabilization and crisis management with support and supervision as needed;
• Provides ongoing risk assessments for dangerousness to self and others with support and supervision as needed;
• Provides entry, navigation and/or referral services for individuals, families and other concerned persons;
• Prepares and administers behavioral health educational curricula;
• Testifies in court to regarding client's services, progress and recommendations as required.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of behavioral health services and social development of the individual;
• Knowledge of evidence based behavioral health treatment methods;
• Knowledge of psychological, physiological and psychiatric terminology, theories and practices;
• Knowledge of assessment processes, methods of gathering social history and interviewing techniques;
• Knowledge of existing public and private agencies and community resources;
• Ability to formulate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plan;
• Ability to perform behavioral health and risk assessments and apply evidence based/informed treatment approaches/modalities;
• Ability to manage a caseload;
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with clients;
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public and private organizations, community groups, and the general public;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, nursing, counseling, or a related field, plus 1,500 hours of clinical experience;
OR a bachelor's degree and a valid QMHP certification plus 1,500 hours of clinical experience;
OR a master's degree in psychology, social work, nursing, counseling, or a related field plus 500 hours of clinical experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another State) maintained throughout employment with CSB
• First Aid and CPR certification, within 90 days of appointment and maintained throughout CSB employment
• Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult (QMHP-A) (Required within 1 month)
• Qualified Mental Health Case Manager (QMHCM) (Required within 1 month)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving records check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year of experience providing behavioral health services in community settings.
• Experience with providing behavioral health services to individuals receiving treatment with Mental Health Disorders, Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and/or Co-occurring disorders (COD).
• Experience with and ability to interpret and follow work processes and procedures; work well with other service agencies; and work well in a team environment.
• Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field.
• Licensed or license-eligible to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia in one of the following:
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker,
  • Licensed Professional Counselor,
  • Clinical Psychologist,
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist,
  • Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner, or
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The Adult Detention Center (ADC) is not barrier free. Ability to attend offsite meetings and training. Ability to communicate with others and make clinical observations. Ability to drive and travel to numerous locations, including some travel within Virginia. Ability to use keyboard driven equipment. Communicate effectively orally and in writing and observe, process, and document clinical information. Ability to access, input, and retrieve computer data. Ability to walk significant distances within multiple buildings, climb stairs and respond to physical requirements necessary to comply with security and safety regulations. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

This job announcement is listed with a closing date of 5/10/24, and interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered. The application process may close prior to the currently advertised closing date when the position has been filled.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-AP1