Behavioral Health Specialist I - Emergency Services & Crisis Care

Salary : $63,732.03 - $111,531.06 Annually
Location : JUVENILE & DOMESTIC CRT, 4410 SHIRLEY GATE RD, FAIRFAX (EJ01), VA
Job Type: FT Hourly W BN
Job Number: 26-01787
Department: Community Services Board
Opening Date: 11/14/2026
Closing Date: 11/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S22
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

An exciting opportunity to join a state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary team at the Wellness Circle Crisis Stabilization Unit, a 16-bed, short-term residential crisis stabilization unit that serves individuals with mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and/or developmental disabilities who are experiencing psychiatric crises. Services include crisis intervention, individual, group, and family counseling, case management, medication management, social and medical detoxification, trauma treatment, and linking individuals to ongoing mental health, substance use, or co-occurring services. This position monitors clients' symptoms and behaviors and provides crisis intervention and crisis stabilization services under clinical supervision. Is also primarily responsible for 10-hour, awake overnight shift coverage, including weekends and holidays. As needed, other shifts may be required to provide 24-hour shift coverage.

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;
OR a bachelor's degree and a valid Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) or Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) certification.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• First Aid and CPR certification, within 90 days of appointment and maintained throughout CSB employment;
• MANDT Certifications within six (6) months of appointment and annually thereafter;
• Valid Motor Vehicle Driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another State) maintained throughout employment with CSB;
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) within 6 months of appointment.

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:

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or nursing.
• 2+ years of post-degree experience working with adults who suffer from serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders in an intensive treatment group home, hospital emergency department or psychiatric unit, community-based behavioral emergency services, and/or crisis stabilization setting.
• Certified by the Virginia Board of Counseling as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to transport clients in agency vehicle(s), observe/monitor/document client behavior, perform CPR/First Aid, climb stairs, lift up to 20 lbs, participate in recreational activities, prepare meals, work up to 12.5-hour shifts to include awake overnights. Ability to review/write clinical notes in records and use keyboard driven computer. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

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

#LI-NW1
Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered that you have a degree in the previous question, please indicate your area of study below. If you do not have a degree, please select "not applicable."

• Psychology
• Social work
• Counseling
• Nursing
• Sociology
• Public health
• Social science
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

03

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list the discipline of your degree. If this question does not pertain to you or you do not possess a degree, enter "N/A".
04

Are you certified in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) or as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)? Please reflect your certifications on your application under license/certification section.Details regarding QMHP can be found on https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/counseling_QMHP.htm.Details regarding CSAC certification can be found on https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Counseling/ApplicantResources/CSACapplicationinfo/.

• Yes, QMHP
• Yes, CSAC
• Yes, both QMHP and CSAC
• No
• No, but able to obtain the certification within 6 months of hire

05

Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06

How many full-time equivalent years of experience do you have working in a behavioral health setting?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

07

Have you worked with adults who suffer from any of the following conditions? Check all that apply.

• Serious mental illness
• Co-occurring disorders
• Substance use or abuse
• Intellectual disability
• None of the above

08

Have you worked with adults in any of the following settings? Check all that apply.

• Intensive treatment group home
• Hospital emergency department
• Psychiatric unit
• Community-based behavioral emergency services
• Crisis stabilization unit
• Detoxification facility
• None of the above

09

Are you able to walk upstairs and carry at least twenty pounds with or without reasonable accommodations?

• Yes
• No

10

Are you willing to work overnight shifts?

• Yes
• No

Required Question