Senior Therapist, Youth Substance Use
Apply NowCompany: City of Alexandria, VA
Location: Alexandria, VA 22304
Description:
Salary: $72,597.46 - $97,246.50 Annually
Location : Alexandria, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00237
Department: Department of Community and Human Services
Division: CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY
Opening Date: 03/26/2025
Closing Date: 4/9/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Senior Therapist, Bilingual (Spanish/English)
Youth Substance Use
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.
This position qualifies for a signing bonus of $3,000. Are you searching for a position with purpose; a position that allows you to share your clinical expertise; a position that challenges you? Are you passionate about partnering with children and youth with significant mental health and substance use challenges and their families, natural supports, and system partners to ensure children live and thrive in their homes and communities? If so, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is hiring a Bilingual (Spanish/English) Senior Therapist with a focus on Youth Substance Use. We are a team dedicated not only to children, youth, and families, but also dedicated to supporting and valuing team members. We provide extensive development and learning initiatives, a competitive wage and benefits package, a focus on equity, and the facilitation of advanced clinical training and career advancement opportunities.
The Opportunity:
What we are looking for:
The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of diagnosis, assessment and evidence-based treatment for adolescents who experience substance use, trauma and mental health; skills in conducting behavioral health assessments, treatment plans, family, individual and group therapy; ability to prioritize youth and family voice and collaborate with community partners; ability to document in an electronic health record; ability to communicate both orally and in writing, in a clear concise manner, with other professionals and with the public.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Possession of Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education or related field; at least two years of post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to consumers having one or more substance abuse, psychiatric, and emotional disorders; and licensure or license eligible (has completed all required education and supervision as required by applicable board) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; if license eligible, the employee must obtain Virginia licensure at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish to meet the needs of persons served; At least two years of post-master's experience engaging adolescents and/or young adults with substance use disorders and their families in trauma-informed evidence-based behavioral health treatment services; At least one year experience providing behavioral health services in a school setting; At least two years of experience providing family therapy; Certification or training in Motivational Interviewing with youth and families; At least one year of experience with electronic medical records.
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; education/certifications; and driver's license.
Schedule: Monday through Friday, some evening hours required.
We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!
The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Also, temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Benefits Division of the Department of Human Resources at 703.746.3785 or email
01
In Virginia or any other location, have you ever been or are the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect? If yes, list all cases and explain. If no, indicate "N/A."
02
All positions in DCHS require successful completion of pre-employment background checks in the Virginia State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry and national Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database. Some positions require criminal records check, and scrutiny of any found criminal records against the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services list of Barrier Crimes. Some positions require drug testing, and verification of driver's license and education/certifications.
03
To answer yes to this question, you must answer yes to all the following questions: Do you possession of Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education or related field? Do you have at least two (2) years of post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to consumers having one or more substance abuse, psychiatric, and emotional disorders? Are you licensed or license eligible (has completed all required education and supervision as required by applicable board) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; if license eligible, the employee must obtain Virginia licensure at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities? Do you have a valid driver's license?If you answer no to any part of this question you must answer no.
04
If you answered "No" to question 3, do you have any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position? (If you answered, "Yes' to question 3, please answer "Yes" to this question).
05
Are you Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish to meet the needs of persons served?
06
Do you have at least two (2) years of post-master's experience engaging adolescents and/or young adults with substance use disorders and their families in trauma-informed evidence-based behavioral health treatment services?
07
Do you have at least one (1) year of experience providing behavioral health services in a school setting?
08
Do you have at least two (2) years of experience providing family therapy?
09
Do you have certification or training in Motivational Interviewing with youth and families?
10
Do you have at least one (1) year of experience with electronic medical records?
Required Question
Location : Alexandria, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00237
Department: Department of Community and Human Services
Division: CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY
Opening Date: 03/26/2025
Closing Date: 4/9/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Senior Therapist, Bilingual (Spanish/English)
Youth Substance Use
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.
This position qualifies for a signing bonus of $3,000. Are you searching for a position with purpose; a position that allows you to share your clinical expertise; a position that challenges you? Are you passionate about partnering with children and youth with significant mental health and substance use challenges and their families, natural supports, and system partners to ensure children live and thrive in their homes and communities? If so, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is hiring a Bilingual (Spanish/English) Senior Therapist with a focus on Youth Substance Use. We are a team dedicated not only to children, youth, and families, but also dedicated to supporting and valuing team members. We provide extensive development and learning initiatives, a competitive wage and benefits package, a focus on equity, and the facilitation of advanced clinical training and career advancement opportunities.
The Opportunity:
- Engage youth with substance use and mental health challenges and their families in evidence based, youth led, and family driven individual, family and group therapy, early intervention, case management, crisis intervention and clinical assessment and screening;
- Develop and monitor treatment plans with youth and their families based on their strengths, needs, preferences, and goals;
- Support linkage to young adult and adult behavioral health services;
- Provide consultation and ensure close collaboration and coordination with school and other system partners, i.e., child welfare, juvenile court system, child advocacy center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Guardians Ad Litem, police, etc.;
- Participate in multi-disciplinary workgroups, treatment planning meetings, court hearings, and relevant training, conferences and workshops;
- Provide presentations on behavioral health topics;
- Supervise graduate level interns or externs;
- Collect outcome, research and satisfaction data with persons served;
- Prepare a variety of written reports including progress notes, treatment plans, quarterly updates, clinical/mental health evaluations, status reports and reports to referral agencies;
- Maintain medical records in accordance with accreditation body, Department policies, licensing and Medicaid regulations;
- Follow department policies and procedures, including those related to productivity expectations, client payment issues, training and clinical licensure; and
- Perform all other relevant duties as assigned.
What we are looking for:
The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of diagnosis, assessment and evidence-based treatment for adolescents who experience substance use, trauma and mental health; skills in conducting behavioral health assessments, treatment plans, family, individual and group therapy; ability to prioritize youth and family voice and collaborate with community partners; ability to document in an electronic health record; ability to communicate both orally and in writing, in a clear concise manner, with other professionals and with the public.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Possession of Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education or related field; at least two years of post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to consumers having one or more substance abuse, psychiatric, and emotional disorders; and licensure or license eligible (has completed all required education and supervision as required by applicable board) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; if license eligible, the employee must obtain Virginia licensure at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish to meet the needs of persons served; At least two years of post-master's experience engaging adolescents and/or young adults with substance use disorders and their families in trauma-informed evidence-based behavioral health treatment services; At least one year experience providing behavioral health services in a school setting; At least two years of experience providing family therapy; Certification or training in Motivational Interviewing with youth and families; At least one year of experience with electronic medical records.
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; education/certifications; and driver's license.
Schedule: Monday through Friday, some evening hours required.
We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!
The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Also, temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Benefits Division of the Department of Human Resources at 703.746.3785 or email
01
In Virginia or any other location, have you ever been or are the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect? If yes, list all cases and explain. If no, indicate "N/A."
02
All positions in DCHS require successful completion of pre-employment background checks in the Virginia State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry and national Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database. Some positions require criminal records check, and scrutiny of any found criminal records against the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services list of Barrier Crimes. Some positions require drug testing, and verification of driver's license and education/certifications.
- I Understand.
03
To answer yes to this question, you must answer yes to all the following questions: Do you possession of Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education or related field? Do you have at least two (2) years of post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to consumers having one or more substance abuse, psychiatric, and emotional disorders? Are you licensed or license eligible (has completed all required education and supervision as required by applicable board) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; if license eligible, the employee must obtain Virginia licensure at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities? Do you have a valid driver's license?If you answer no to any part of this question you must answer no.
- Yes
- No
04
If you answered "No" to question 3, do you have any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position? (If you answered, "Yes' to question 3, please answer "Yes" to this question).
- Yes
- No
05
Are you Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish to meet the needs of persons served?
- Yes
- No
06
Do you have at least two (2) years of post-master's experience engaging adolescents and/or young adults with substance use disorders and their families in trauma-informed evidence-based behavioral health treatment services?
- Yes
- No
07
Do you have at least one (1) year of experience providing behavioral health services in a school setting?
- Yes
- No
08
Do you have at least two (2) years of experience providing family therapy?
- Yes
- No
09
Do you have certification or training in Motivational Interviewing with youth and families?
- Yes
- No
10
Do you have at least one (1) year of experience with electronic medical records?
- Yes
- No
Required Question