Behavioral Health Specialist II - Emergency Services & Crisis Care
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Behavioral Health Specialist II - Emergency Services & Crisis Care
Salary
$72,125.46 - $120,208.82 Annually
Location
FAIRFAX (HH12), VA
Job Type
FT Salary W BN
Job Number
26-00432
Department
Community Services Board
Opening Date
03/14/2026
Closing Date
3/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade
S25
Posting Type
Open to General Public
Description
Benefits
Questions
Job Announcement
$2,500 Sign-On Bonus*
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has an exciting opportunity to be a part of the continuum of crisis services as a Behavioral Health Specialist II. This position will work within the Merrifield Crisis Response Center and mobile response teams in the community including co-responder teams with Fairfax County Police and Fire and Rescue Departments. 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.
Assesses, diagnoses, provides crisis intervention services and, when necessary, determines if an individual requires hospitalization for those individuals who are extremely high-risk in consultation with crisis intervention specialist and/or supervisor on duty. As needed, provides coverage on the Community Response Team, and/or the Co-Responder Unit working in the field with Law Enforcement officers and responding to 911 calls. Recognizes and works with individuals with a wide variety of needs, including mental illness (MI), substance use, and intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). Keeps abreast of civil psychiatric detention and commitment law and uses its provisions effectively to initiate involuntary hospitalization when a high-risk individual refuses, or is unable to commit to, voluntary care. Uses a comprehensive knowledge of community resources and referral agencies to connect people in crisis with appropriate ongoing clinical treatment options and with agencies that may alleviate exacerbating issues such as hunger, homelessness, medical illness, and other factors. Uses a sound understanding of psychiatric disorders, psychotropic medications, and medical conditions to connect individuals with psychiatric services, when appropriate.
Answers phones in the Emergency Services call center and provides screening, assessment, crisis intervention, and referral. When needed, serves as a Behavioral Health Liaison with Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Dispatch Center to assist with identifying behavioral health calls for service and linking individuals with appropriate resources. Provides assistance to the Co-Responder Units in the field via phone and telehealth. Serves as the CSB Representative for civil commitment hearing and/or attends the civil commitment hearings providing expert testimony as required under 37.2-817b of the code of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Here are some of the benefits CSB employees enjoy:
*This position includes a $2,500 signing bonus for fully qualified new merit county employees or employees transferring from Fairfax County Public Schools.
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 (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demographics/fairfax-county-general-overview) . We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1560/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.
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 (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/careers) .
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.)
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
(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 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.
First Aid and CPR certification, 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) and maintained throughout employment with CSB.
Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) (Required within 6 months 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. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
Additional Work Schedule Requirements: Position is responsible for providing 24-hour shift coverage, to include awake overnights, weekends.
This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)
Licensed providers may not "opt out" of being a Medicare provider.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's degree in counseling, psychology, or social work.
At least 1 year of clinical experience providing crisis intervention and working with individuals having co-occurring disorders (SMI, ID/DD, and substance use).
Currently certified by the Virginia Board of Counseling as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).
Licensed eligible or currently 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, or
Licensed Nurse Practitioner.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to transport clients in agency vehicles; observe, monitor, and document client behavior; perform CPR/First Aid; climb stairs; lift up to 20 lbs.; participate in recreational activities; prepare meals; review and write clinical notes; use a keyboard-driven computer; and work five 16-hour shifts, including awake overnights. 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 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
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