Clinical Counselor

Department of State Hospitals -
San Luis Obispo County, CA

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Job Details

Full-time
$8,133 - $10,378 a month

Benefits

Wellness program
Paid holidays
Dependent care reimbursement
Health insurance
Dental insurance
401(k)
Flexible spending account
Military leave
On-the-job training
Employee assistance program
Vision insurance
Loan forgiveness
Flexible schedule

Qualifications

LPCC

Full Job Description

Job Posting: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Department of State Hospitals

JC-522531

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Clinical Counselor

$8,133.00 - $10,378.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 7/15/2026

Job Description and Duties

**You MUST be a CA Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor to be considered for this position.**

The Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor will be directed by the Senior Psychologist Supervisor in the Department of Psychology at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

Collaborate with the treatment team.
Conduct assessments and/or screening.
Complete required documentation.
Facilitate individual and group therapy.
Collaborate with treatment team to provide critical observations about patients.
Assist with the development, implementation, and adherence to behavioral plans and treatment plans, including the competent use of electronic systems used for treatment planning and documentation.
Provide clinical supervision as needed/required by the Board of Behavioral Science for unlicensed professional clinical counselors.
Participate in meetings, committees, and conferences.

Eligibility: To be considered for this career opportunity, applicants must have eligibility by way of one of the following: reachable on a certification list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications specified in the examination bulletin/classification specifications.

If you do not have eligibility, you must take the exam. The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.

Click here to take the Clinical Counselor Examination

Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-522531

Position #(s):

455-655-0050-925

Working Title:

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Classification:

Clinical Counselor

$8,133.00 - $10,378.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

Work Location:

San Luis Obispo County

Telework:

In Office

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Facility:

DSH - Atascadero

Department Information

The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is a secure public sector hospital providing inpatient forensic services for mentally ill adult males who are court committed throughout the State of California. Located on the central coast of California, the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is in the vicinity of destination locations such as San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Morro Bay, with easy access to beautiful beaches, serene natural settings and many historical landmarks. We invite you to join our professional and talented workforce.

Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov

Special Requirements

The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

You MUST be a CA Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor to be considered for this position.
Candidates must submit proof of possession of a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or psychotherapy.
The Medical Staff of DSH-Atascadero requires Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor candidates meet the Medical Staff criteria for allied health professional privileging set forth in the facility bylaws. Candidates applying for both licensed and unlicensed positions must submit the required documents listed under the Required Application Documents Section.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 7/15/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Postal

Attn: DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

PO Box 7005

Atascadero, CA 93423-7005

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Drop Off

DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

10333 El Camino Real

Atascadero, CA 93422

Building 105

08:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Other -
- Candidates must submit proof of possession of a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or psychotherapy with their application (STD. 678).
  - Transcripts must include candidate's name, the name of the school, and the date the degree was conferred, if applicable, in order to be considered for this position.
  - Foreign transcripts must include verification for US equivalency from an independent company.
  - Please ensure that the birthdate and social security number are redacted from the transcripts.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California offers a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:

Medical Benefits (health, dental, and vision)
Work life balance (some positions qualify for flexible work hours and schedules, and a minimum of 10 days of paid leave annually – specific accrual rates can be found here)
Paid Holidays and leave (family medical leave, military leave, etc)
Defined benefit retirement program with CalPERS
Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
School loan forgiveness under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Commute Program
Employee Wellness Program (discounts to health clubs)
Employee Assistance Program
Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
ScholarShare (college savings account)
On-the-job training and professional development
Most positions qualify for annual raises until you reach the maximum salary for that position, subject to meeting performance standards

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

These webpages are intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base, and length of appointment.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
DSH-Atascadero Employment Office
(805) 468-3384
[email protected]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Pearl Melena
(805) 468-2007
[email protected]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

• Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

• Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.

• This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.

• This position requires candidates to take and pass a Drug Screening Test. You will be required to take and pass the drug screening test prior to being hired.

Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted. Scanned, copied or faxed applications will not be accepted.

• Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

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Job Description and Duties

Working Conditions

Position Details

Department Information

Special Requirements

Application Instructions

Benefits

Contact Information

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity Employer

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