Behavioral Health Specialist I - Jail & Court Based Services

Fairfax County • Fairfax (Hh12), VA

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

This position supports the efforts of Diversion First in the Jail Diversion team. 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). Jail Diversion Team: The Behavioral Health Specialist I supports Behavioral Health Specialist II’s, Behavioral Health Senior Clinicians, and other Jail Diversion staff in providing intensive case management (ICM) services with Jail Diversion clients in the community. Services include assistance with basic needs (food, shelter, benefits), navigating the legal system, improving independent living skills, maintaining meaningful daily activities, and providing psychoeducation. This position involves extensive community-based work, including driving clients in county vehicles, attending court hearings with clients, and meeting clients at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. In addition, this position serves as a Mandatory Outpatient Treatment (MOT) Monitor, overseeing MOT cases in accordance with state regulations. Duties include coordinating with Special Justices, attorneys, and hospital systems; linking individuals to treatment providers and programs; monitoring appointment attendance and treatment adherence; meeting regularly with adults under MOT orders; reporting non-compliance to the Court; and participating in review hearings.

Requirements

• 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; OR a bachelor’s degree and a valid Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) or Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) certification.
• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another state) maintained throughout employment with CSB.
• CPR (within 3 months of hire)
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) or QMHP-Trainee (within 1 month of hire)
• Qualified Mental Health Case Manager (QMHCM) (within 1 month of hire)
• Completion of a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and sanction screening.
• TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience providing behavioral health services in community settings.
• Experience working with criminal justice system partners (Example: courts, probation, corrections)
• Experience working with adults with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders
• Bilingual in English and another language

Responsibilities

• Functions as an active member of a treatment team
• 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
• Serves as a Mandatory Outpatient Treatment (MOT) Monitor, overseeing MOT cases in accordance with state regulations
• Coordinates with Special Justices, attorneys, and hospital systems
• Links individuals to treatment providers and programs
• Monitors appointment attendance and treatment adherence
• Meets regularly with adults under MOT orders
• Reports non-compliance to the Court
• Participates in review hearings

Benefits

• Extensive training and development
• Employee recognition programs
• Advancement opportunities
• Highly competitive wage
• Foreign language skills stipend of up to $1560/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level