Therapist (BS118/BS050)

Counselor / TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$71k-$77k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 7mo ago

Job Description

Title: Therapist (BS118/BS050)

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: $70,986 - $76,822

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice

Location: Bon Air JCC

Agency Website: djj.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.

About the Agency

DJJ is committed to excellence in public safety by providing effective interventions that improve the lives of youth, strengthening both families and communities within the Commonwealth.

About the Job

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice is currently seeking a professional and dynamic Therapist to: Provide evidence-based mental health, substance use, sex offender, and aggression management treatment services to residents, in order to promote their well-being and rehabilitation as well as reduce the likelihood of recidivism. A significant focus of this position is to provide direct clinical services to youth requiring individual, group, and family psychotherapies.

Additionally, the Therapist is expected to work with multiple disciplines to establish and maintain a therapeutic milieu for residents. This position is required to work primarily in-person with committed residents, ages 14 to 20 years old, at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center. Work hours will consist of at least one late evening per week.

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable knowledge in providing evidence based treatment practices / psychotherapy to adolescents, individuals, families and groups; Skilled in working within a multidisciplinary treatment team, with effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work independently.

  • For sex offender treatment: Working knowledge of sex offender treatment and risk assessment.
  • For substance abuse treatment: Working knowledge of substance abuse treatment.

Additional Considerations

Prefer licensure in given discipline such as LCSW or LPC.

  • For sex offender treatment, prefer certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP).
  • For substance abuse treatment, prefer certification/licensure as a Substance Abuse Counselor or Treatment Provider (CSAC or LSAT).

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 Process

Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed employment application or you may attach a resume before the position’s closing date. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Documents sent through postal mail, email, or fax will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to be specific regarding job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities.

You will be provided an email 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. Status updates will not be provided via telephone or email.

Background & Pre-employment Screenings

Selected applicants are subject to a background investigation and pre-employment drug screen. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (if required and relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks based on the position.

Pre-employment medical screenings are required for some DJJ positions.

Driver License

A valid driver’s license is required of DJJ employees to operate a state-owned or leased vehicle.

Supplemental Questions

You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information may help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Lay Off Policy 1.3

If you have been impacted by the DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff and have a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), it is necessary to submit the card before the closing date for this position. You can include the Card as an attachment with your state application.

DJJ Welcomes Veterans

DJJ is committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible to receive additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard, or Reserve. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application.

The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Department of Juvenile Justice practices fair and equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to foster a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion.

Contact Information

Name: Victor Rogers

Phone: 804-659-9979

Email: Victor.Rogers@djj.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.

Key Responsibilities

The Therapist will provide evidence-based mental health, substance use, sex offender, and aggression management treatment services to residents to promote well-being and reduce recidivism. A significant focus involves delivering direct clinical services through individual, group, and family psychotherapies while collaborating with multiple disciplines to maintain a therapeutic environment.

Requirements

Candidates must possess considerable knowledge in providing evidence-based treatment practices to adolescents, individuals, families, and groups, along with skills in multidisciplinary teamwork and effective communication. Working knowledge of sex offender treatment and substance abuse treatment is also required, with licensure or specific certifications being additional considerations.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Adolescent TreatmentIndividual PsychotherapyGroup PsychotherapyFamily PsychotherapyVerbal Communication

Counselor Career Context

Virginia Information Technologies Agency ranks #18 of 20 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% are remote, 46% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$71k–$77kMental Health Therapy median $72k (middle half $65k–$92k)17 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$73k in purchasing powerVirginia index 101.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Virginia268 active7,924 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 42% remote · 46% no call · 68% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Virginia Information Technologies Agency#18 of 20 for payTop Employers work-life index
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, Top Employers work-life index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

37 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

37 jobs · 29 employers
14
<$80k
6
$80k-95k
7
$95k-110k
8
$110k-125k
2
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

30 jobs · 29 employers
401k / retirement match
93%
CME allowance
33%
Loan repayment
23%
Sign-on bonus
17%
PSLF eligible
17%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

$74k-$126k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

$115k-$120k
+ 35 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,891 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Bon Air

Median resident rent
$1,799/mo≈ 30% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
25 min
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.