Title: Office Services Specialist (FET)
State Role Title: 19013
Hiring Range: $33,828 - $38,110; 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 an Office Services Specialist (Forensic Evaluation Team) who demonstrates a professional demeanor and respect toward patients, staff, and external partners while providing comprehensive administrative and clerical support to ensure the efficient operation of forensic evaluation services. This role works collaboratively with Forensic Services Administrative support staff to maintain continuity of services, including serving as back-up support for essential functions such as mail distribution, telephone routing, scheduling attorney-client visits, coordinating Polycom video conferences, and arranging outside evaluators. The position is responsible for preparing and managing critical documentation—receiving admission packets, maintaining case sheets with key legal deadlines, producing accurate correspondence, and ensuring timely submission of evaluations and related materials to courts and attorneys. Additional duties include maintaining evaluator files and PHI documentation, tracking case progress through spreadsheets and the Statewide FIMS database, obtaining court orders and criminal history records, supporting pre-trial evaluation preparation, and assisting with data tracking and reporting. The incumbent will also organize and maintain physical and electronic records, support data aggregation efforts, and complete all required training in compliance with hospital and departmental standards.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Successfully Perform the Job:
- Requires basic knowledge of office services technology and working with current software and hardware systems and the rules governing confidentiality.
- Requires a skill base of excellent typing, telephone presence, and clerical skills to include typing, filing, data entry, and word processing with current software and hardware systems. - Requires the ability to use excellent interpersonal communication skills, and good discretionary judgment.
Minimum Qualifications
Required:
- Previous clerical experience required with demonstrated use of office services technology, word processing, and data entry.
- Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to manage complex tasks.
- Must have strong written and oral communication skills.
Additional Considerations
Preferred:
- Prior experience in a legal, correctional, or healthcare setting.
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 Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you detail all relevant work experience clearly and specifically; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.
Applications/résumés will begin to be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.
Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.
Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.
Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (804) 524-7111 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.
Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.
Benefits: DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including your choice of health plans, paid life insurance, retirement plans, 13 paid holidays, annual leave, family personal leave, sick leave, employee discount programs, and more!
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: 1-804-524-7111
Email: CSHRecruitment@dbhds.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.