Behavioral Health Specialist I - Diversion & Jail Based Services

Job Announcement

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is hiring two Behavioral Health Specialist I positions. One to join the Diversion Engagement Team and one to join the Mental Health Docket. These positions support the county wide Diversion First initiative.

As a Behavioral Health Specialist I, you will be a part of a team of diverse professionals helping individuals 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)

The Diversion Engagement Team works collaboratively with law enforcement, courts, human services, and healthcare providers to support individuals with behavioral health needs. The Behavioral Health Specialist I supports individuals in settings to include, residential treatment programs, the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and various community settings such as individual’s homes, during recreational activities and more. A candidate for this position will enjoy an active role engaging and supporting individuals living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and/or substance use as they are achieving recovery. Position is fast paced and on-the-go often involving travel in a county vehicle.

The Behavioral Health Specialist I on the Mental Health Docket team works collaboratively with the docket’s partner agencies as well as the docket participant’s treatment teams; this includes other CSB treatment providers, prescribers, peer support specialists, probation officers, defense attorneys, Commonwealth Attorneys, Court Services, GDC Judges, housing providers, etc. Treatment services are provided in the courthouse as well as in the community and include outreach and engagement supports as well as skill building services. This dynamic role provides many opportunities for ongoing growth, development, and advancement within the behavioral health field.

A commitment to offer scheduling flexibility, as program needs allow though typical hours vary between an 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

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.

Note: To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video "CSB Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Providing Care."

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.)

• Functions as an active member of a treatment team;
• Functions as a co-leader in groups;
• Assists with data gathering for needs assessment;
• Contributes to the development of individual service plans, with consideration given to the nature and severity of the behavioral health and psychosocial needs, individual strengths and preferences, and support systems;
• Makes interventions as outlined in the service plan;
• Brings forward timely information on individuals' progress and evolving needs to the treatment team;
• Provides individual supportive counseling and skill-building involving specific concerns;
• Conducts admission and orientation into the program/services;
• Provides individual and group psycho-educational sessions for clients, family members, and significant others;
• Maintains and updates information on community resources for individuals, families, and other concerned persons;
• Provides skill building to clients in developing and practicing daily living, recovery, and self-advocacy skills;
• Observes client behavior and provides de-escalation techniques;
• Maintains client records in accordance with state and department regulations;
• Maintains all appropriate program logs and information;
• Provides program coverage and supervises program activities;
• Transports and accompanies individuals to various appointments.

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 the psychological and social development of individuals;
• Knowledge of substance use disorders and the physiological, psychological and social impacts;
• Knowledge of public and private community based resources;
• Knowledge of social history development and interviewing and treatment techniques appropriate for individuals with substance use and/or mental illness/ serious emotional disturbance (SED);
• Ability to recognize behavioral symptoms of mental illness/ serious emotional disturbance (SED) and substance use, and developmental disabilities;
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with clients;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports;
• Ability to assist with initial screening of the severity of individuals' substance use/mental health symptoms, treatment, and support needs.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, sociology, nursing, public health or a related field.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another state) and maintained throughout employment with CSB.
• Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult (QMHP-A) (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 record 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.)

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with adults diagnosed with serious mental illness.
• Experience working with adults with substance use disorders.
• Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult (QMHP-A) current certification

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

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include exercise.

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. EEO/AA/TTY.