Human Services Specialist

Job Description

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The pay range listed above is effective July 1, 2026.

Arlington County's Department of Human Services (DHS) is hiring a full-time Human Services Specialist for its Specialty Docket/Court/Diversion and within the Behavioral Healthcare Division. This is a grant funded position that will provide therapeutic recreation services for adults with mental health and substance use conditions within the program with additional as-needed services being given to the Forensic Jail Diversion Team.

The focus of this position will include assisting participants to develop and enhance skills related to self-care, physical wellness, family and peer leisure pursuits, conflict resolution, stress management, positive peer modeling, treatment compliance, and to assist participants in developing a greater level of independence to successfully graduate.

Responsibilities

Major Job Duties:

• Conducting comprehensive recreation therapy assessments for participants to identify areas of need and appropriate levels of service;
• Utilizing the outcome data of the RNR (Risk-Needs-Responsivity) Simulator Tool to identify appropriate level/dosage of treatment and implementing the identified plan;
• Attending court dates as required for participants;
• Developing individual and group programming;
• Participating and consulting as a member of the multidisciplinary teams regarding service delivery and care coordination;
• Collaborating with the teams regarding participants treatment needs and facilitating access to community mental health and substance use disorder services including recreational and self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous;
• Attending team meetings and providing information to the team regarding participant's progress and areas of non-compliance; and
• Providing input regarding the participant's overall treatment plan.

Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation, Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health, Counseling, or a related field;
• Some experience providing therapeutic recreation services to adults with mental health and/or substance use conditions; and
• Current valid Therapeutic Recreation certification, or the ability to obtain one within a year.

Substitution(s): Additional directly related experience can substitute for the education requirement. A Master's degree in a directly related area may substitute for up to one year of experience.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:
Bilingual verbal ability in English and Spanish.

Special Requirements

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver's license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant's driving record. Alternatively, the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.

Employment restrictions: To ensure that dual relationships are avoided and that employees who are also clients do not relate to their service provider as co-professionals, employees will not be hired by the County to provide or support services to the team or program in which they are current clients:

• You cannot concurrently receive behavioral health services from Arlington County Community Service Board (CSB) programs while employed in an Arlington County CSB program (exception Crisis Intervention services).
• At least 24 months must have passed between receipt of CSB services from Arlington County and employment in an Arlington County CSB program.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions.

Additional Information

Work hours: 40 hours per week with normal working hours between 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday with some flexibility. Employee may be required to work some evenings and weekends depending on programmatic need.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent on funds.

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.

For more information on Arlington County's generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

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