Human Services Care Specialist

Title: Human Services Care Specialist

State Role Title: 49053

Hiring Range: $42,493.00 to $58,640.00; Salary to Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/csh/

Recruitment 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 person’s 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 illness. In 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 hospital’s 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 driver’s license required.
- Experience planning, leading, and implementing active treatment groups and conducting leisure activities.
- Experience in computer data entry as well as basic computer skills knowledge/experience that includes internet research in order to teach computer skills.
- Ability to work irregular hours including weekends, evenings and holidays.

Additional Considerations

- Experience in leading leisure based groups with adults with mental illness in an inpatient setting, as well as knowledge of benefits to a patient's 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.
- Must be able to work assigned schedule and weekends as scheduled with assigned adjusted days off.
- 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.

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 Virgini