Human Services Specialist

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.

The pay range listed above is effective July 1, 2026.

Arlington County's Department of Human Services (DHS) is hiring a full-time Human Services Specialist for its Specialty Docket/Court/Diversion and within the Behavioral Healthcare Division. This is a grant funded position that will provide therapeutic recreation services for adults with mental health and substance use conditions within the program with additional as-needed services being given to the Forensic Jail Diversion Team.

The focus of this position will include assisting participants to develop and enhance skills related to self-care, physical wellness, family and peer leisure pursuits, conflict resolution, stress management, positive peer modeling, treatment compliance, and to assist participants in developing a greater level of independence to successfully graduate.

Major Job Duties:

• Conducting comprehensive recreation therapy assessments for participants to identify areas of need and appropriate levels of service;
• Utilizing the outcome data of the RNR (Risk-Needs-Responsivity) Simulator Tool to identify appropriate level/dosage of treatment and implementing the identified plan;
• Attending court dates as required for participants;
• Developing individual and group programming;
• Participating and consulting as a member of the multidisciplinary teams regarding service delivery and care coordination;
• Collaborating with the teams regarding participants treatment needs and facilitating access to community mental health and substance use disorder services including recreational and self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous;
• Attending team meetings and providing information to the team regarding participant’s progress and areas of non-compliance; and
• Providing input regarding the participant’s overall treatment plan.

Arlington County DHS 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.