Behavioral Health Specialist II- ACT Co-Occurring Disorder Specialist

Behavioral Health Specialist II – ACT Co-Occurring Disorder Specialist

Recruitment began on September 9, 2025

and the job listing Expires on September 20, 2025

This position works within our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program. Works with individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders who, due to factors related to their illness, are often reluctant to engage in services or have been unable to achieve recovery on their own. These individuals may experience homelessness, housing instability, involvement with law enforcement, and neglect their medical needs due to the impact unmanaged mental illness symptoms have on their lives. They may also experience frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, incarcerations, or visits to emergency rooms for the same reason.

The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of the treatment of substance use and behavioral health disorders, as well as knowledge of and experience with available community resources, such as medical, legal, mental health, and social services. The selected candidate must have practical knowledge of treatment issues related to behavioral, emotional, and social problems, especially co-occurring substance use dependency, and case management skills to help individuals secure resources, services, and supports to help with their recovery.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes the Assertive Community Treatment Evidence-Based model to provide intensive outreach and case management/clinical recovery coaching services for clients in the program;
• Interviews consumers to assess current status, history, strengths, areas for growth, stages of change, and preferences;
• Provides supportive services to clients such as crisis intervention, counseling, problem solving, and wellness planning including medication psychoeducation;
• Develops individual treatment plans with clients and provides case management/recovery coaching, attending to needs such as housing, family relationships, meaningful activities, day care, family planning, health care, financial management, education, training, and employment.
• Locates, procures, coordinates, and monitors the delivery of necessary services for the client and/or their family;
• Completes disability determination reports and assists clients with navigating access to entitlements and benefits;
• Acts as a liaison between substance abuse services, social services, mental health, housing, and shelters;
• Provides advocacy for clients via the court system, social, employment and childcare services, and in securing housing;
• Meets regularly with an interdisciplinary team to aid in identifying necessary services for clients;
• Attends regular team meetings, relevant training sessions, and conferences;
• Prepares reports and completes records of client and related family contact with the agency;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

ACT South is based in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County at the Gartlan Center.

Program hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. This position is part of the team’s on-call coverage rotation for a minimum of one week at a time. The team coordinates holiday coverage on a rotating basis.

The CSB strives 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.

Benefits

• This position includes a signing bonus for new merit county employees into the Behavioral Health Senior Clinician classification, in the amount of $2,500 (full-time).

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others). We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

• 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.
• License/Certification Reimbursement – Reimbursement for job related licenses and/or certifications once per year.
• To find out more about the benefits of working with Fairfax County Government, please visit the CSB Careers Page.

Illustrative Duties

• 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

• 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 Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification or Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) 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:

• MANDT Certifications within six months of appointment and annually thereafter;
• CPR certification, within 90 days of appointment and maintained throughout CSB employment;
• Medication Administration Assistance Certification within 90 days of appointment;
• Valid Motor Vehicle Driver’s license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another State) at time of appointment and maintained throughout employment with CSB.

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.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior experience working in an ACT team.
• Experience performing community outreach and engagement to SMI adults.
• Experience providing intensive case management services.
• Experience working with homeless individuals who are mentally ill.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to drive a car and conduct out of office visits in homes, hospitals, jails, shelters, or outdoors; communicate with clients and coworkers; observe and report on client appearance and behavior; sit, walk, stand and bend; make clinical interventions in unconventional treatment settings; operate keyboard driven computer equipment, tablet device; and enter/retrieve data on electronic health record. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

EEO Information: 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. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.