Critical Care Unit Senior Therapist - Jail Services
Salary
$74,423.18 - $130,968.76 Annually
Location
Alexandria, VA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
2026-00223
Department
Department of Community and Human Services
Division
CENTER FOR ADULT SERVICES
Opening Date
07/16/2026
Closing Date
8/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit
N/A
Critical Care Unit Senior Therapist
Jail Services
Position Overview:
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 expertise in psychotherapy; a position that challenges you? Are you passionate about helping people with behavioral health challenges transform their lives and achieve recovery? If so, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is hiring for a Critical Care Unit (CCU) Senior Therapist position in our Adult Jail Services department. We are a department dedicated to not only serving our clients and families but also dedicated to supporting and valuing our staff. We provide extensive development and learning initiatives, a competitive wage and benefits package, and the facilitation of advanced clinical training and career advancement opportunities.
Examples of Duties:
About The Jail Services Team
Under minimum supervision from the Team Supervisor, the CCU Senior Therapist provides clinical intervention services to adult inmates who are experiencing psychiatric, behavioral and/or substance abuse related problems in the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center. Duties include triage, psychosocial assessment, diagnostic evaluation, risk assessment, brief counseling, individual and group counseling, specialized case management, and facilitation of temporary detention orders for forensic hospitalization of inmates as needed. The Senior Therapist evaluates and arranges for diagnostic assessment and treatment for individuals with severe mental illness, who may be housed in the CCU, in booking, or other areas in the jail. Possesses excellent knowledge of diagnostic assessment and treatment of incarcerated individuals with mental illness/substance use disorders. Develops and maintains excellent rapport with other professional staff of the Detention Center and related community agencies. Ensures continuity of information flow and consumer care from shift to shift. Communicates thoroughly, relevantly, and in an organized fashion both orally and in writing. The expectation is for the CCU Senior Therapist to conduct the duties of the position independently, requiring minimal supervision.
What we are looking for:
The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of individual and group behaviors, family dynamics, abnormal psychology, and disorders related to substance use. Thorough knowledge of psychiatric interviewing; gathering clinical data; assessments; and DSM-5 diagnosis. Knowledge and experience with clinical risk assessment and writing reports based on clinical formulation. Thorough knowledge and ability to provide case management services to homeless persons who have mental illness and / or substance use disorders. Knowledge of the criminal justice systems and law enforcement systems, and interaction with services for mental health / substance use disorders. Good skills working with persons having mental illness and with their families. Thorough knowledge of DSM-5. An ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other professionals and with the general public, both orally and in writing.
Who we are:
You will work alongside professionals who are passionate about providing top-notch clinical services to adults with behavioral health disorders. We're dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals and also, dedicated to supporting and valuing our staff. We are a community of lifelong learners who collaborate, challenge and support each other to advance our clinical knowledge and skills, and help our clients achieve the best outcomes.
What we offer you:
In addition to an awesome group of people to work with, the City of Alexandria offers great benefits!
As a full-time employee of the City of Alexandria, the following are available to you:
The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is also a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Use the following link to access the PSLF website and learn about this program in detail: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Minimum: Possession of Masters 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 drivers license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications
At least one year of clinical experience with jail/forensic population. Possession of Virginia clinical license as Psychologist, LPC, or LCSW. Fluent & 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 and Verification of education/certifications; and Driver's license.
This position is located within the Alexandria Detention Center and must pass additional background investigation from the Alexandria Sheriff's Office (ASO), to include a polygraph conducted by the ASO.
Schedule (On-Site): Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM, rotating Saturday, 1/2-day shift.
The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.
We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandrias excellent benefits and programs!
Click here to learn more about Employee Benefits
Click here to learn more about the Citys Employee Development Program
The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at DHR.TA@alexandriava.gov.
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 have a 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 use, 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
Do you have at least one (1) year of clinical experience with jail/forensic population?
06
Are you currently licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Clinical Psychologist in the state of Virginia?
07
Are you fluent and bilingual in both English and Spanish?
Required Question
Employer City of Alexandria
Address City Hall
421 King Street,
Alexandria, Virginia, 22314
Phone 7037463784
Website http://alexandriava.gov/jobs