Trauma Informed Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Arlington Public Schools (APS) announces an opening for the position of a Social Worker-RISE Team

This 12-month E-11 position of Social Worker serves on the RISE Team (Respond, Intervene, Support, Empower) to support students experiencing significant behavioral challenges. The position provides immediate crisis intervention, behavioral health assessment, stabilization support, and short-term therapeutic services for students experiencing emotional, behavioral, or mental health crises within Arlington Public Schools. This position emphasizes assessment, intervention, consultation, and collaboration to develop a responsive program for the students on their caseload. This position is initially onsite at the referring school with other RISE team members to respond to immediate behavioral needs and safety concerns. The team develops an intervention plan and works with the staff to implement the plan with fidelity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Develops and provides evidence-based therapeutic interventions for students

Conducts functional behavioral assessments (FBAs)

Develops Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)

Analyzes and tracks behavioral and other data to evaluate intervention effectiveness and recommend adjustments

Responds to acute behavioral, emotional, and mental health crises occurring in school settings.

Conducts suicide risk assessments, threat assessments, safety planning, and behavioral health evaluations.

Provides de-escalation, crisis stabilization, and brief therapeutic intervention for students.

Assists in determining appropriate levels of care and facilitate referrals to community mental health providers, hospitals, mobile crisis units, or emergency services when necessary.

Participates in re-entry and transition planning for students returning from hospitalization, alternative placements, or crisis events.

Provides individual and short-term counseling services for students experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges.

Supports students impacted by trauma, grief, family instability, substance use, self-harm behaviors, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns.

Collaborates with parents/guardians to connect families with school and community resources.

Facilitates family meetings and provides socio-cultural assessment regarding behavioral health and intervention strategies.

Collaborates with administrators, school counselors, psychologists, nurses, teachers, and special education staff regarding student behavioral and mental health concerns.

Participates in multidisciplinary student support teams, manifestation determination meetings, IEP/504 meetings, and threat assessment processes as appropriate.

Provides consultation and training to school staff on trauma-informed practices, crisis response, suicide prevention, behavioral intervention, and mental health awareness.

Assists schools in developing division wide prevention and intervention strategies to improve student well-being and school climate.

Coordinates wraparound services to support continuity of care for students and families.

Participates in community-based and division-wide crisis response initiatives, emergency planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration efforts.

Serves as an active member of the RISE Team

Supports the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

Designs and delivers professional development to APS staff related to:

Positive behavior supports

Crisis prevention and intervention

Trauma-informed practices

Functional behavior assessment

Data collection and progress monitoring

Classroom behavior management

Maintains timely and accurate case documentation, risk assessments, service records, and referral information in accordance with APS policies and related implementation procedures, Federal and state regulations, FERPA, and adheres to professional and licensing body ethical standards.

Enrolls in and maintains appropriate credentials for Medicaid billing; completes Medicaid billing within department timelines

Prepares reports and maintains data related to crisis response activities and student outcomes.

Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Experience working in educational settings preferred

Strong knowledge of child and adolescent development, behavioral health disorders, and evidence-based crisis intervention practices

Experience developing services for children and adolescents

Specialized training in evidence-based practices (e.g., CBT, trauma-informed care, psychological (psychological assessments, psychopathology, counseling techniques, and therapeutic interventions)

Ability to remain calm and effective in high-stress situations

Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and restorative practices

Strong collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution skills

Ability to build positive relationships with diverse students, families, and staff

Knowledge of special education processes, mandated reporting requirements, and school safety procedures

Experience with MTSS, PBIS, and threat assessment models

Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills

Expertise in behavioral intervention and school-based mental health

Effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams

Excellent human relations, problem solving, as well as oral and written communication, including report writing, skills

Ability to use computer technology in an administrative and educational setting to manage meetings and all aspects of work assignments

Minimum of 5 years of experience providing clinical mental health services to children and adolescents

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Doctoral or Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program required.

Experience in crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, trauma-informed care, and school-based mental health strongly preferred

Experience working in educational settings preferred

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

Active Virginia licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) required

SALARY

• Salary range: based on the 26/27 pay plan.