Human Services Care Specialist

Title: Human Services Care Specialist

State Role Title:49053

Hiring Range: $42493.00 to $58640.00; Salary to Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location:Central State Hospital

Agency Website: Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870 when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property with a scheduled completion date of 2027.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the persons individual needs recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication evidence-based group and individual therapy peer support psychosocial rehabilitation vocational training preparation for court and treatment for substance use.

Central State Hospital is recruiting for a Human Services Care Specialist to join our team and play a key role in delivering dynamic recovery-focused services to adults with serious mental this vital role you will provide at least 20 hours of active treatment and leisure programming each week facilitate groups and individualized engagement sessions offer library and weekend activity services and help plan special events that support clients needs and interests. You will ensure a safe and therapeutic environment by supervising client workers maintaining strict inventory control of equipment and materials and transporting clients to on- and off-campus activities. Strong communication professionalism cultural awareness and teamwork are essential as you collaborate with peers and support the hospitals mission. You will maintain accurate and timely documentation manage administrative tasks such as scheduling equipment maintenance and meeting participation and uphold policies civility standards and safety procedures. If you are passionate about promoting hope empowerment and meaningful recovery experiences we welcome you to apply and make a difference at Central State Hospital.

Minimum Qualifications

- Valid Virginia Drivers License

Additional Considerations

- Must be able to work irregular hours and work weeks which include: evenings weekends holidays and special events.
- Ability to drive/operate and escort clients by state cars wheelchair equipped bus and 15 passenger van.
- Experience in leading leisure based groups with adults with mental illness in an inpatient setting as well as knowledge of benefits to a patients well-being and recovery process.
- Proficient in verbal and written communication skills with ability to use Microsoft Office and other identified computer software successfully.
- Ability to plan and implement leisure based activities.
- Ability to manage aggressive/assaultive clients utilizing approved TOVA techniques and assist in verbal de-escalation of individuals as needed.
- Awareness of safety and security procedures.
- Ability to work collaboratively with others.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginias Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you detail all relevant work experience clearly and specifically; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.
Applications/résumés will begin to be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police FBI) local agency checks Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks employment verification and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1 the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers individuals convicted of specific (barrier) crimes or those with pending barrier charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation please notify Human Resources at during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture hair type and protective hairstyles such as braids locks and twists) sex color national origin religion sexual orientation gender identity or expression age veteran status political affiliation disability genetic information and pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans active members of the Virginia National Guard and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

Benefits: DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package including your choice of health plans paid life insurance retirement plans 13 paid holidays annual leave family personal leave sick leave employee discount programs and more!

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 1-

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at .

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022- February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.