For more than 50 years, Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) has served the Washington County community and the Orange County towns of Orange, Washington, and Williamstown. WCMHS provides education, support, and treatment of individuals and families living with mental health challenges, substance use issues, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. Providing accessible, high-quality services in the community, schools, and health care settings, we work toward positive outcomes for wellness with collaborative, inclusive, and compassionate care. Washington County Mental Health Services is “Where Hope and Support Come Together.”

Washington County Mental Health Behavior Interventionist

A Behavioral Interventionist works as part of a team by providing supportive counseling, social skills and daily living skills building, direct supervision and crisis intervention to assigned youth. Behavioral Interventionists offer support and model positive behaviors to youth by engaging with them in proactive, encouraging, and safe ways that enable them to build confidence to navigate their world successfully.

This position is focused on helping youth with things like problem solving and task completion, managing emotions and de-escalating when overwhelmed or in crisis, and engaging appropriately with peers and staff. Some of your tasks would be assisting youth get to places like appointments, school, and social activities while helping them engage successfully in those settings.  Additionally, as a WCMHS staff member, you’d be attending and completing all agency/program training and meetings and would be completing daily paperwork to document your activities in accurate and timely ways.

You’d be best matched to this position if you have a bachelor’s degree in human services, education or psychology and if you have experience in a human service setting serving children or youth. A high school diploma or equivalent is a minimum requirement for this position, as is having a valid driver’s license and excellent driving record.  The position requires you to have access to a safe, reliable vehicle that can meets Vermont’s minimum insurance requirements.  Daily physical requirements include frequent standing, walking and running, the ability to lift and carry 50 pounds, and to satisfactorily complete specialized physical and verbal de-escalation training provided by WCMHS (this is a condition of employment.)

We have multiple Behavioral Interventionist openings in several programs in our Children’s Youth and Family Services Division:

Ch.O.I.C.E. Academy

BI’s working at ChOICE Academy are focused on serving students in grades 5-12 ages 10-22. Working in small groups you’ll have an opportunity to provide individual support as needed. The emphasis of this position’s duties is meant to help students access their education, build positive relationships and solve problems as issues arise during the program day.  ChOICE Academy cross trains all staff in the fields of mental health and education.  The position works closely with a multidisciplinary team to help students navigate their school days successfully. There are positions available in both our high school and middle school programs.

Residential Treatment Programs

BI’s working in one of our Residential Treatment programs are focused on helping our youth work on their mental health, academic, and life goals.   The residential treatment programs are dedicated to youth in emotional, social and physical need who desire to grow, heal and improve their lives. We are committed to their self-betterment, and support youth in their daily lives through structure, process, and nurture. Our team of celebrated staff strives to create a therapeutic home environment in which these youth may thrive and ultimately lead independent, successful and healthy lives.

School Based Services

 BI’s working as part of our School Based Services Teams are focused on helping our youth build appropriate social, emotional and behavioral strategies within their school and community settings.  This is done in collaboration with mental health and educational providers by implementing a behavioral support plan focused on improving emotional regulation and building positive connections.  The BI Provides direct supervision to enrolled children or youth within a school setting and serves as an integral member of the youth’s educational team. In additional to Implementing behavioral programming School Based BI’s provide counseling in social, recreational and daily living skills in school and community-based settings.

Compensation and Benefits: This full-time position offers an hourly rate of $23.13/hr.* and excellent benefits, including tuition reimbursement/student loan assistance; generous paid time off; employer-sponsored health, dental, life, and disability insurances; and a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer match.

To Apply: We encourage applicants to apply via the WCMHS website Careers page. Applications (resume and cover letter, preferred) may also be emailed to [email protected] or mailed via USPS mail to WCMHS Human Resources, PO Box 647, Montpelier, VT 05601. Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. WCMHS strives to make our application process accessible to all. If you need language assistance or an accommodation in the application process, please contact us at [email protected] or 802-229-1399.

Washington County Mental Health Services is an equal opportunity employer. Grounded in our understanding that diversity makes our organization stronger, we are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace and services. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and consider applications for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, health care coverage status, military status, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.