Senior Therapist - Early Childhood Wellness

Posting number: 2027-00496

Department: Department of Community and Human Services

Division: CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY

Job classification: SENIOR THERAPIST/ GS 22

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Clerical & Data Entry, Community Services, Health Services, Mental Health, Public Health, Redevelopment, Social Services, Professional, Child Support, Human Services, Community Development, Customer Service, Records Management, Health Education, Counseling, Communications, Community and Social Services, Health Care Support, Child Care, Rehabilitation Services, Medical

Summary

Senior Therapist

Early Childhood Wellness Program

 

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Senior Therapist position.

An Overview 

This position is eligible for a $3,000 signing bonus. The Senior Therapist for the Early Childhood Wellness Program provides mental health prevention and early intervention services using an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) and coaching model to promote the healthy social and emotional development of children from birth to age five. The position supports children, families, caregivers, early childhood educators, and community partners through relationship-based consultation, caregiver coaching, clinical assessment, and capacity building. Services are delivered across child-serving systems, including school-based, center-based, and home-based early childhood programs. The Senior Therapist uses developmental screening and clinical assessment data to support early identification of social-emotional, behavioral, and developmental concerns and to guide intervention planning. This position emphasizes prevention, collaboration, and strengthening the capacity of caregivers and early childhood professionals to support young children's well-being.

The Senior Therapist provides consultation through a multi-tiered approach that includes universal prevention, targeted coaching, and short-term clinical intervention. Responsibilities include conducting mental health observations, completing clinical assessments, developing child-centered support plans, and collaborating with families, educators, administrators, and multidisciplinary teams to promote consistent implementation of evidence-based practices. The position also supports the implementation of social-emotional curricula and trauma-informed practices within early childhood settings. In addition, the Senior Therapist develops and facilitates parent workshops, caregiver education, and professional development for early childhood providers. As needed, the position provides consultation, assessment, and short-term intervention services for children receiving services through the Parent Infant Education (PIE) Program who present with social-emotional, behavioral, or relational concerns.

Services are provided in a variety of community-based settings, including early childhood education programs, homes, clinics, and other natural environments. The Senior Therapist collaborates with community agencies to coordinate services, connect families with resources, and support children with developmental delays, disabilities, behavioral health needs, trauma, or other complex challenges. The position serves a culturally and linguistically diverse population and utilizes culturally responsive, family-centered practices to promote equitable access to services. Strong clinical judgment, effective communication, and collaborative leadership are essential to building partnerships across systems and improving outcomes for young children and their families. The Senior Therapist plays a key role in advancing the City's commitment to early childhood mental health, prevention, and family well-being.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have strong knowledge of infant and early childhood typical and atypical development as well as effective intervention and prevention strategies for children aged to five and their parents. Strong knowledge of caregiver-child attachment and effective therapeutic modalities. Ability to engage early care and education providers, preschool staff, young children and their families and the ability to collaborate effectively with other agencies. Ability to assess behavioral and emotional problems to develop an effective support plan. 

Training and consultation skills and experience in working with young children and their families and caregivers. Excellent ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing, with other professionals and with the general public. Ability to work effectively as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and the ability to evaluate fluctuating levels of need.

The Opportunity 

• Provide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) and coaching to support the healthy social-emotional development of children from birth to age five.
• Deliver prevention and early intervention services using a tiered consultation model that includes universal prevention, targeted coaching, and short-term clinical intervention.
• Conduct developmental and social-emotional clinical assessments, mental health and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations, and analyze screening and assessment data to support early identification and intervention planning.
• Collaborate with families, caregivers, educators, administrators, and community partners to develop and implement individualized child-centered support plans.
• Provide program-centered consultation to school-based, center-based, and home-based early childhood programs to strengthen social-emotional practices and promote nurturing learning environments.
• Support the implementation and sustainability of evidence-based social-emotional curricula and trauma-informed practices within early childhood classrooms and programs.
• Design and facilitate parent workshops, caregiver education, professional development, and training for early childhood professionals on infant and early childhood mental health, child development, attachment, and emotional wellness.
• Provide consultation, assessment, and short-term intervention services, as needed, for children enrolled in the Parent Infant Education (PIE) Program who present with social-emotional, behavioral, or relational concerns.
• Coordinate referrals and connect families with community resources while working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support children with developmental delays, disabilities, trauma, or other complex needs.
• Deliver culturally responsive services to Alexandria's diverse community by building collaborative partnerships that strengthen caregiver-child relationships and promote positive developmental outcomes.

About the Department 

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood and Youth Development. CCF provides compassionate, collaborative and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices.  Our teams support self-determination, safety, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders. Examples of dutiesPossession 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 driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities. QualificationsCurrent Virginia licensure as an LCSW, LPC, LSATP, or Clinical Psychologist and at least two (2) years of experience providing clinical mental health services to young children (birth to age five) and their families are preferred. Experience with providing Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC), caregiver coaching, prevention and early intervention services, and program consultation in school-, center-, or home-based early childhood settings. Experience conducting developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional assessments and using assessment data to inform intervention planning is desirable. Knowledge of infant and early childhood development, caregiver-child attachment, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based social-emotional practice. Knowledge of or certification as a CLASS Observer and certification as a Virginia Early Intervention Professional (EIP) or Early Intervention Specialist (EIS). Experience developing and delivering training and professional development for caregivers and early childhood professionals. Demonstrated ability to engage families experiencing complex social, emotional, or behavioral needs. Excellent oral and written communication skill and the ability to work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse children, families, and community partners. Bilingual proficiency in English and another language commonly spoken within the Alexandria community.
Supplemental information

Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., based on program needs. Eligibility for a telework schedule may be considered upon successful completion of the probationary period, subject to operational needs and supervisory approval.