Human Services Specialist II
Forensic Clinical Case Manager

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Human Services Specialist II position.

An Overview
The Human Services Specialist II is responsible for working with a co-occurring (substance abuse/mentally ill) adult population on the Forensic Services Team. Examples of services provided include: individual, group, and family counseling; preparing, monitoring, and assessing individual treatment plans; crisis intervention; recovery coaching; diagnostic review; psycho-education; conducting clinical assessments as indicated; linking consumers to needed services; collaborating with other members of the treatment team and exploring community resources. Duties also include targeted outreach for the non-engaged consumer; assessing, referring, and monitoring consumers in the shelters; evaluating consumer progress in treatment; and maintaining clear, concise consumer records.

What You Should Bring
The ideal candidate should have thorough of substance abuse, child and adolescent development and behavioral health disorders; good knowledge of available community resources, such as medical, legal, mental health and social services; good knowledge of treatment issues related to behavioral, emotional and social problems, including dual diagnosis, and chemical dependency; skill in engaging a variety of consumers and in communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with consumers, other professionals and citizens; ability to perform individual and group counseling and or provide prevention and education services; ability to evaluate consumer needs and formulate goals to resolve social and emotional problems.

The Opportunity

• Interviews consumers to assess current status, history, strengths, areas for growth, stages of change, and preferences;
• Provides supportive services to consumers including but not limited to: crisis intervention, counseling, problem solving, psycho-education and wellness planning;
• Assists consumers with the development of individualized treatment plans and provides case management/recovery coaching, attending to needs such as housing, healthy relationships, meaningful activities, daycare, family planning, health care, financial management, education, training, and employment;
• Conducts clinical assessments as indicated, including but not limited to Beck Depression Inventory, Mini Mental Status Exam, internal agency bio-psychosocial assessment, diagnostic reviews;
• Locates, procures, coordinates, and monitors the delivery of necessary services for the consumer and/or their family;
• Assists the consumer with the completion of necessary documentation to obtain and/or maintain benefits such as disability income and insurance;
• Acts as a liaison between substance abuse services, social services, mental health, housing, and shelters;
• Assists consumers with navigating complex systems such as: court, social, employment, housing and childcare services;
• Provides advocacy for consumers in these systems;
• Meets regularly with an interdisciplinary team to aid in identifying necessary services for consumers;
• Identifies and provides targeted outreach and engagement to co-occurring individuals in the community and in shelters;
• Participates in staff meetings and staff development programs;
• Prepares reports and completes records of consumer and related family contact with the agency;
• Attends regular team meetings, relevant training sessions, and conferences;
• Completes and tracks Case Management Pre-Authorization for consumers with Medicaid;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

About the Department
The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social services, public health, guidance, or a related field; At least three years of experience in the provision of mental health and/or substance abuse treatment services, including some experience at the level of Caseworker; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities; Must have a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

Registered with the Virginia Board of Counseling as a Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adults (QMHP-A) or able to register within the first two weeks of hire; three years of experience in the provision of mental health and /or substance abuse treatment services to seriously mentally ill adults. One year of experience that includes working with clients in crisis, engaging individuals and their families in Recovery-oriented treatment; One year of experience working with persons involved with the criminal justice system, including the knowledge of the unique challenges faced by individuals who have behavioral health diagnoses who are involved in the system, and the desire to work with that population; Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Verification of education/certifications; Drug screening; and Driver's license.

Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 5:00PM