Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) (Grant-Funded) - Jail Based Services

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.

Arlington County''s Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed), assigned to a dedicated restoration unit serving individuals found incompetent to stand trial (IST), with the goal of restoring competency in a local jail setting, reducing reliance on state hospital admissions, and improving case processing timelines. The positions will work with detainees to become competent through psychoeducation, symptom management, coordination with medical to manage psychotropic medications and education about the legal system/process.

Note: Please refer to the guidelines for registration and licensure set forth by the Virginia Department of Health Professions prior to completing this application.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master''s degree from an accredited college or university in a clinical discipline such as Counseling, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychology, or other directly related clinical discipline with internships and practicum requirements involving diagnostic, treatment application of diagnostic, and treatment services

Therapists may be hired at one of the following levels:

• Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed): Possession of one of the following professional licenses from the Virginia Department of Health Professions: LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW.

• Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed):

• Possess a license in a jurisdiction other than Virginia and are performing supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management and counseling work while awaiting licensure from the Virginia Department of Health Professions of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline: (LPC), (LCP), (LMFT), (LCSW);

• License must be obtained within 90 days of hire; and

• While awaiting licensure from the State of Virginia (LPC), (LCP), (LMFT), (LCSW), must meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) or a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Child (QMHP-C) per the Virginia Board of Counseling regulations within 60 days of hire.

• Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee):

• Perform supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management, and counseling work as a trainee in order to obtain one of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline in the state of Virginia:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

• Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP)

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

• Must meet the educational requirements to obtain a temporary license as a Resident in Counseling (for LPC or LMFT) or Resident in Clinical Psychology (for LCP), or register as a Supervisee in Social Work (LCSW) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions within 90 days of hire;

• Meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) or a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Child (QMHP-C) per the Virginia Board of Counseling regulations within 60 days of hire; and

• Obtain appropriate licensure within three years of hire.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• Experience working in a correctional setting;
• Experience in case management; and/or
• Active Clinical License in the State of Virginia (LPC, LCP, LCSW)

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.

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: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Employee may be required to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays depending on programmatic need.

Although positions may be underfilled at the Non-VA Licensed or Resident/Supervisee, licensure must be earned within three years of hire. The Department of Human Services will provide supervision to staff in pursuit of licensure.

This position will be funded by a grant for two years. The pay ranges listed are effective July 1, 2026.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected.

• Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed): $96,304.00 - $149,240.00 Annually
• Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed): $96,304.00 - $149,240.00 Annually
• Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee): $83,158.40 - $128,876.80 Annually

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.

#LI-Onsite

Major Job Duties:

• Conducting comprehensive clinical assessments of individuals identified as incompetent to stand trial (IST) to determine behavioral health needs and restoration readiness;
• Developing and implementing individualized competency restoration treatment plans;
• Providing structured individual and group-based interventions focused on symptom stabilization, coping skills, and education on legal processes;
• Monitoring client progress toward competency and adjusting treatment approaches as needed;
• Coordinating with medical and psychiatric providers regarding evaluation, treatment planning, and psychotropic medication management;
• Collaborating with Sheriff's Office staff to support safe housing placement and behavioral management within the detention setting;
• Partnering with forensic discharge planners to develop and implement reentry and continuity of care plans;
• Coordinating with attorneys, courts, and other judicial stakeholders to provide updates on client status and restoration progress;
• Maintaining accurate and timely clinical documentation in the electronic health record in accordance with regulatory and grant requirements;
• Tracking program outcomes and supporting data collection and reporting requirements associated with grant funding;
• Participating in multidisciplinary team meetings to review cases, evaluate progress toward competency, and support program implementation;
• Assisting with crisis intervention and risk assessment, including evaluating the need for hospitalization or higher levels of care;
• Supporting program development activities, including refining treatment approaches, workflows, and coordination processes for the restoration unit;
• Maintaining knowledge of applicable legal standards, clinical practices, and community resources to support effective service delivery; and
• Attending staff meetings to discuss procedural and administrative developments and difficult cases, as well as attending applicable training sessions, conferences, and workshops provided by the department and other agencies or organizations.

The ideal candidate will have a vast knowledge of the criminal justice system as well as insight into best practices in treating behavioral health needs, addiction, and substance use disorders.

Arlington County 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.

Major Job Duties:

• Conducting comprehensive clinical assessments of individuals identified as incompetent to stand trial (IST) to determine behavioral health needs and restoration readiness;
• Developing and implementing individualized competency restoration treatment plans;
• Providing structured individual and group-based interventions focused on symptom stabilization, coping skills, and education on legal processes;
• Monitoring client progress toward competency and adjusting treatment approaches as needed;
• Coordinating with medical and psychiatric providers regarding evaluation, treatment planning, and psychotropic medication management;
• Collaborating with Sheriff's Office staff to support safe housing placement and behavioral management within the detention setting;
• Partnering with forensic discharge planners to develop and implement reentry and continuity of care plans;
• Coordinating with attorneys, courts, and other judicial stakeholders to provide updates on client status and restoration progress;
• Maintaining accurate and timely clinical documentation in the electronic health record in accordance with regulatory and grant requirements;
• Tracking program outcomes and supporting data collection and reporting requirements associated with grant funding;
• Participating in multidisciplinary team meetings to review cases, evaluate progress toward competency, and support program implementation;
• Assisting with crisis intervention and risk assessment, including evaluating the need for hospitalization or higher levels of care;
• Supporting program development activities, including refining treatment approaches, workflows, and coordination processes for the restoration unit;
• Maintaining knowledge of applicable legal standards, clinical practices, and community resources to support effective service delivery; and
• Attending staff meetings to discuss procedural and administrative developments and difficult cases, as well as attending applicable training sessions, conferences, and workshops provided by the department and other agencies or organizations.

The ideal candidate will have a vast knowledge of the criminal justice system as well as insight into best practices in treating behavioral health needs, addiction, and substance use disorders.

Arlington County 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.