Behavioral Health Specialist I - Residential Treat & Detox Services

This listing closes on 8/14/2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada).

Employer

Fairfax County

Salary

$63,732.03 - $111,531.06 Annually

Location

COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD - MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, VA

Job Type

FT Hourly W BN

Job Number

26-01188

Department

Community Services Board

Opening Date

08/01/2026

Closing Date

8/14/2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Pay Grade S22 Posting Type Open to General Public

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Announcement

This position works within an innovative co-occurring (substance abuse and mental health) residential treatment program for adults. This role offers an exciting opportunity for hands-on clinical experience, professional development, and potential for advancement in a progressive Fairfax County agency. This position administers medication as ordered by a physician in accordance with department regulations. This position requires overnight coverage and weekend availability, and flexibility with holiday. Duties include milieu management, drug and alcohol screens, admissions, crisis management, and documentation. This position primarily serves at 6901 S Van Dorn Street Alexandria, VA 22315.

Here are some of the benefits CSB employees enjoy:

• 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. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1600/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees.
• 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.
• 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 .

Note: To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video " CSB Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Providing Care ."

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, CPR, and AED certifications, within 90 days of appointment and maintained throughout CSB employment;
• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another State) maintained throughout employment with CSB.
• Medication Administration Assistance (VA) required within 30 days of hire

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. 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:

• Experience working in Co-Occurring (COD) residential program.
• Experience with providing behavioral health services to individuals receiving treatment with mental health disorders, substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring disorders (COD).
• Experience with effectively communicating with diverse bilingual/multi-lingual populations.
• Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) or
• 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,
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist,
  • Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner or
  • Licensed Nurse Practitioner (LNP).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to transport clients to activities. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations. SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview and may include a practical exercise. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io. View email address on click.appcast.io EEO/AA/TTY.

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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
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click here (Download PDF reader) 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: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid

For additional details please visit the County's benefits webpage .

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
• Public health
• Sociology
• 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 list certifications on your application also. Details regarding QMHP can be found on Details regarding CSAC certification can be found on

• Yes, QMHP
• Yes, CSAC
• No
• No, but eligible

05 Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06 How many years of paid full-time (40 hours per week) experience do you have working in a residential treatment program providing intensive therapeutic services in a 24-hour facility, group home, or in-home care setting? Experience working in shelters, detention centers, or office-based outpatient services do not qualify.

• 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 How many years of paid full-time (40 hours per week) clinical experience do you have working with individuals diagnosed with substance use and/or mental health disorders?

• 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

08 Are you able to transport clients, driving a large 10 passenger county owned vehicle (must have less than six demerit points on license)?

• Yes
• No

09 This position is classified as "essential/emergency" personnel, which requires the employee to report to work on-site regardless of the county's operating status in response to weather or other emergencies. Are you able to report to work as scheduled?

• Yes
• No

10 We are hiring for overnight position. Are you able to work awake overnight (9:00pm7:00am or 9:30pm-7:30am) shifts. Are you able to report to work as scheduled?

• Yes
• No

* Required Question

Employer

Fairfax County

Address

12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270 Fairfax, Virginia, 22035

Phone

View phone number on click.appcast.io

Website