Salary : $84,670.14 - $148,172.75 Annually
Location : MERRIFIELD CENTER, 8221 WILLOW OAKS CORPORATE DR., FAIRFAX (HH12), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 26-01128
Department: Community Services Board
Opening Date: 08/01/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S28
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

This position works as part of multidisciplinary team serving individuals with serious mental illness in acute crisis who are high risk, in addition to those diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disorders and substance use or co-occurring disorders. Provides specialized services such as assessment for temporary detention, evaluation for hospitalization, and critical stress management. Unique opportunity to serve individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures experiencing a wide range of clinical presentations and service needs. Experience with co-occurring disorders, conducting risk assessments, making rapid differential diagnosis, and providing crisis intervention from a recovery-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered lens is essential. A successful candidate will have the ability to write comprehensive clinical notes and complete pre-detention and pre-admission evaluation forms. This position will involve working one (or two) weekend days on a weekly basis.

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 description.)

• Reviews clinical records writes clinical notes, and completes pre-detention and pre-admission screening evaluation forms;
• Performs complex, code mandated evaluations to include mental status examination, and comprehensive risk assessment;
• Makes independent diagnosis and determines if the individual meets civil commitment criteria; When clinically indicated, recommends the issuance of an Emergency Custody Order or a Temporary Detention Order;
• Evaluates individuals seeking voluntary admission to a local psychiatric hospital (state funded admission) or a crisis stabilization unit;
• Provides emergency crisis intervention services to individuals who are high risk, e.g., suicidal, homicidal, experiencing symptoms of psychosis, with the goal of stabilization and finding creative and safe community treatment alternatives;
• As needed, responds on rapid call-out (24/7) to high risk hostage/barricade situations providing on scene consultation and intervention services;
• As needed, responds on rapid call-out (24/7) to public safety personnel other county employees, or community members who have been exposed to psychologically traumatic events;
• Attends civil commitment and appeal hearings providing expert testimony to General District and Circuit Courts; Responds in the community to requests from individuals, friends/family, and other Fairfax County departments or community referrals to evaluate and intervene with individuals in the community who are high risk and are unwilling or unable to come voluntarily to the CSB Emergency Service for evaluation or treatment;
• May work as part of mobile response teams when necessary;
• Assesses the need for referral to a psychiatrist, or to a primary care physician or to a hospital emergency department;
• Provides expert consultation to Human Services and Public Safety agencies and the private sector regarding individuals who are clinically complex and/or high risk;
• Works closely and collaboratively with Law Enforcement Officers and/or Sheriff's Deputies throughout the evaluation and detention process;
• Provides liaison to community agencies to facilitate communication and service provision for clients requiring multiple services and/or who are clinically complex and/high risk;
• When applicable, provides clinical supervision to license eligible Crisis Intervention Specialists and/or training to newly hired staff.

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.)

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia pertaining to Emergency Custody Orders, Temporary Detention Orders, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Outpatient Treatment, Duty to Warn, etc.;
• Comprehensive knowledge of community resources and referral agencies to be able to connect individuals in crisis with appropriate ongoing clinical treatment and with agencies that may alleviate exacerbating issues such as hunger, homelessness, medical illness and other factors;
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of the psychological and social development of the individual;
• Thorough knowledge of intake procedures, social history development, and interviewing techniques;
• Thorough knowledge of treatment of options for individuals with behavioral health and substance uses disorders; Knowledge of Critical Incident Stress Management techniques including psychoeducational training on psychological and stress first aid and resiliency training;
• Knowledge in hostage/barricade negotiation techniques and incident command management (ICM);
• Knowledge of psychiatric, psychological, and/or sociological terminology and concepts; Knowledge of clinical supervisory methods and techniques;
• Ability to complete a mental status examination and comprehensive risk assessment;
• Ability to conduct mental health assessments and apply treatment approaches/modalities;
• Ability to formulate diagnoses;
• Ability to work effectively with individuals in life and death situations as a routine and daily part of the job;
• Ability to diagnostically interpret data obtained from psychological test results, social histories, and interviews;
• Ability to prepare, produce, and conduct program presentations;
• Ability to function independently in high-stress situations;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, co-workers, public and private sector organizations, public safety, community groups, and the general public;
• Ability to successfully perform as a team leader/member;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited college with a master's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling, plus two years of clinical experience or a doctoral degree in social work, psychology, or counseling, plus one year of clinical experience.

Must be eligible to be licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia in one of the following: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Psychologist, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• A valid driver's license with fewer than six (6) demerit points (or equivalent in another state) and must be maintained throughout employment with CSB.
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) (within 3 months of hire)
• Certified Pre-screener as required by the Department of Behavioral Health and Disability (within six (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. Hepatitis C screening at time of appointment and annually thereafter. National Provider Identifier (NPI).
• Additional Work Schedule Requirements: Program operates 24/7. Position requires shift work that includes overnights, weekends, and holidays. Position also requires on-call coverage based upon the needs of the service and minimum staffing requirements.
• Licensed providers may not "opt out" of being a Medicare provider.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current Pre-screener Certification as defined by the code of Virginia.
• At least 3 years post masters clinical experience providing crisis Intervention and working with individuals having co-occurring disorders (SMI, ID/DD, and substance use).
• Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a:
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW),
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC),
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP),
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or
  • MD/OD

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate clearly with others and make clinical observations. Ability to run/climb several flights of stairs; lift an object of 20 lbs.; drive vehicle; ability to review clinical records, write clinical notes and complete pre - detention and pre-admission evaluation forms; and use keyboard driven equipment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

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

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
• Not applicable/None of the above

03

How many years of full-time equivalent clinical experience do you have? (Clinical experience means providing direct clinical services, such as individual or group clinical therapy/counseling, milieu management, or mental health skill building.)

• 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 to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight or more years

04

Please indicate which of the following license(s) you possess in the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you are not licensed but eligible for licensure (includes reciprocity) please check that response.

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Clinical Psychologist
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner
• Eligible to register as a licensed eligible mental health professional in one of the above areas (A registered licensed eligible mental health professional has be