Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist

• Offer guidance and consultation during complex and crisis situations, stepping in to provide direct clinical care when necessary, including filling in for absent staff or handling challenging clinical cases
• Review clinical documentation submitted by clinical staff, providing feedback, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and conducting audits as necessary
• Independently manage the daily workflow of assigned clinical services, assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring efficient service delivery
• Form and maintain collaborative working relationships with community partners, courts, and justice system personnel
• Provide presentations and training to community partners about behavioral health services, crisis intervention, and mental health court processes
• Write clear, accurate reports and evaluations, ensuring that all documentation meets legal, clinical, and regulatory requirements

• Prior experience in providing clinical supervision and leadership, particularly in behavioral health settings
• Understanding of systems serving vulnerable adults including homeless individuals and those struggling with substance use disorder as well as severe and persistent mental health challenges and problems with the criminal justice system
• Excellent clinical skills in crisis intervention, assessments, therapeutic interventions, and treatment planning for individuals experiencing significant mental health challenges
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively document and present information
• Ability to work from a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive perspective
• The ability and interest to develop and mentor staff to become excellent clinicians in a team-based model
• Knowledge of advocacy and local resources

• Hiring Incentive** - (Prorated based on FTE) The Department of Health Services is currently offering a $20,000 signing bonus paid over three installments during the first two years of service for permanent full-time and part-time positions
• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals and 12 paid holidays
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include a Master's Degree or higher in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university; and two years of related experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, licensed Psychologist, OR a successor licensure recognized as equivalent by the State of California.

Special Requirement: Possession of either a valid, current Licensed Clinical Social Worker license, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist license, OR Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license, issued by the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners, State of California; OR possession of a valid, current license as a Psychologist issued by the State of California, Board of Medical Quality Assurance, Psychology Examining Committee; OR possession of a successor licensure recognized as equivalent by the State of California.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Considerable knowledge of: prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation techniques used in the identification and treatment of mental illness and emotional disorders; federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations associated with mental health treatment and education programs; the social, psychological, and physiological effects of mental disorders; principles, methods, and techniques used to develop formal and informal training programs associated with assigned specialty areas; methods and techniques used to develop community information and education programs; the scope and activities of community based agencies involved in the education and treatment of mental health, including wellness and recovery, and strength based approaches with clients and their families.

Knowledge of: modern methods and techniques used to lead, plan, and control the work of others.

Ability to: plan, assign, supervise, review, and evaluate the work of staff; plan, organize, conduct, and evaluate the effectiveness of training and education programs, including training staff in clinical casework techniques and methodologies; provide lead direction to a multi-disciplinary mental health treatment team; use community resources to establish and maintain effective community programs to assist in the care, prevention, education, and treatment of mental health clients and their families; assess situations, identify problems, develop acceptable problem-solving options, anticipate possible risks associated with each option, and determine appropriate course of action; work effectively with a multicultural client and family population with diverse background and needs; establish and maintain effective working relationships on a multi-disciplinary team with peers, supervisors, subordinates, members of the public, other County employees, community agency staff, and others who have an interest in mental health prevention and treatment; supervise individual and group behavior and provide necessary support; prepare clear and concise oral and written reports; lead, plan, and control the work of others.

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.