Bilingual School Based Behavioral Therapist (English/Spanish)

Arlington County VA • Arlington, WA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

Arlington County’s Child & Family Services Division, Children’s Behavioral Health Bureau, is hiring a bilingual English/Spanish Behavioral Health Therapist for a school-based outpatient team. The Bureau provides comprehensive, trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health and substance use services to help youth thrive with support from their parents. Services are delivered in homes, schools, the community, and the Department of Human Services (DHS) office. This position is primarily embedded and co-located between Arlington Public Schools and the DHS office, with work also taking place in community locations.

The therapist provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed behavioral health services to youth experiencing mental health challenges, substance use issues, or involvement with other child-serving systems. Services include mental health and substance use therapy, case management, care coordination, parent education and support, and High Fidelity Wraparound intensive care coordination. The therapist works with youth, families, schools, and community partners, and must document services and maintain records in accordance with clinical, court, managed-care, funding, and program-licensing standards.

The role may be filled at the licensed, non-Virginia-licensed, or resident/supervisee level. A master’s degree in a clinical discipline and demonstrated Spanish proficiency are required. The County provides supervision for staff pursuing licensure. This position offers a $2,500 gross sign-on bonus upon hire and an additional $2,500 gross bonus upon successful completion of the probationary period. Telework from home is available when the employee is not working in person, subject to supervisor approval.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a clinical discipline such as Counseling, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychology, or another directly related clinical discipline, with internships and practicum requirements involving diagnostic and treatment services.
• Proficiency in speaking and understanding Spanish; verbal Spanish proficiency will be assessed before appointment.
• For the Licensed level: hold a Virginia Department of Health Professions license as an LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW.
• For the Non-VA Licensed level: hold a license in another jurisdiction in a relevant behavioral health discipline and obtain the corresponding Virginia clinical license within 90 days of hire.
• For the Resident/Supervisee level: within 90 days of hire, obtain a temporary Virginia license as a Resident in Counseling or Resident in Clinical Psychology, or register as a Supervisee in Social Work; obtain Virginia licensure within three years of hire.
• Possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid driver’s license and provide or authorize access to an official driving record; alternatively, have the ability and willingness to use alternative transportation for assigned duties at locations beyond the primary worksite.
• Pass a pre-employment background check covering criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history.
• Meet the County’s employment restriction concerning prior Arlington County Community Service Board services: generally, at least 24 months must have passed since receiving CSB services before employment in an Arlington County CSB program; concurrent receipt of services is prohibited except for Crisis Intervention services.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing direct mental health services to youth in a school setting.
• Experience providing co-located services.
• Strong clinical skills, cultural responsiveness, and commitment to equity.
• Ability to use evidence-based and trauma-informed practices to support students and families.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with families, school staff, DHS colleagues, and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a multidisciplinary team, partnering with Arlington Public Schools, court services, and child welfare staff to coordinate behavioral health services, treatment, consultation, and support for youth’s emotional and behavioral well-being.
• Conduct intake assessments to determine diagnoses and develop treatment plans and recommendations.
• Provide crisis intervention to help youth maintain safety in the least restrictive setting.
• Establish effective therapeutic relationships with clients and coordinate services as a team member.
• Provide behavioral health services, including mental health and substance use therapy, case management, care coordination, parent education and support, and High Fidelity Wraparound intensive care coordination.
• Participate in community outreach and engagement as requested.
• Document all services in the Electronic Health Record system in accordance with clinical, court, managed-care, funding, and program-licensing standards.
• Maintain accurate records and fulfill administrative and regulatory requirements throughout treatment, including court reviews and service delivery for youth and families.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vacation, and sick leave.
• Commuter transportation subsidies.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Retirement plan.
• Language pay premium for all hours worked and paid leave hours in the bilingual position.
• $2,500 gross sign-on bonus upon hire and an additional $2,500 gross bonus upon successful completion of the probationary period.

What This Job Offers

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