SENIOR MENTAL HEALTH CLIENT SPECIALIST II

County of Santa Cruz -
Santa Cruz, CA

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Job Details

10 days ago

Benefits

Paid holidays
Disability insurance
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Dependent health insurance coverage
Vision insurance
Bereavement leave
Life insurance

Qualifications

Computer operation
Risk management for crisis intervention support
Referral services for crisis intervention support
DSM-5
Safety planning
Group therapy
Individual therapy
Client file management
Care documentation
Clinical social history assessment
Clinical case management notes
De-escalation techniques
Community resource coordination in health services social work
Mental health resources facilitation
Substance abuse counseling
Records management
Medical treatment knowledge
Clinical training
Team training
Clinical assessment documentation
Multidisciplinary team collaboration for treatment planning
Psychiatric disorder emergency response
Providing care for clients
Experience working with individuals with substance use disorders
Psychopharmacology
Risk assessment implementation
Group counseling
Suicide risk assessment
Substance abuse services in social work

Full Job Description

County of Santa Cruz
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

SENIOR MENTAL HEALTH

CLIENT SPECIALIST II

Supplemental Questionnaire Required

Open and Promotional
Job # 26-SL6

Salary: $8,316 – 10,530 / Month

**September 2026 – 3.5% increase to base pay

Closing Date: Friday, August 28, 2026

County Equity St atement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every status,

providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.
Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional oppoCrtluonsitiniegs aDnadt aec: c Cesosn, ftoinstueroinugs a n

environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

THE JOB: Under direction, to provide highly skilled, specialized, and intensive crisis intervention which may
include evaluating for 5150/5585 applications, psychosocial assessments, mental health and/or substance
use services, counseling, brief therapy, and short term case management services to individuals with mental
illness or emotional disturbance, their families and support network; to serve as a liaison to other community
agencies/organizations in a training, educational, advisory, and/or consulting capacity; and to do other work
as required. This eligible list established will be used to fill the current vacancy and any future vacancies
during the life of the list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required
knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain this knowledge and abilities would be:

Possession of a master’s degree or PhD with a major in social work, psychology, clinical counseling,
psychiatric nursing or a closely related behavioral science field which has included completion of a
university approved internship, preferably a clinical internship, in a mental health agency. AND One year of
full-time experience as a Senior Mental Health Client Specialist I at the County of Santa Cruz or equivalent
experience.
OR
Possession of a master’s degree or PhD with a major in social work, psychology, clinical counseling,
psychiatric nursing or a closely related behavioral science field which has included completion of a

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Apply online at: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

university approved internship, preferably a clinical internship, in a mental health agency. AND Three years’
experience in crisis intervention as a Mental Health Client Specialist II.

Special Requirements/Conditions: License Requirement: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver
license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
Possession of one of the following licenses issued by the State of California: Clinical Social Worker; Marriage
and Family Therapist; Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor; or Clinical Psychologist. If licensed in another
state, the incumbent must obtain the appropriate license issued by the State of California within twenty-four
months from the date of employment. Alcohol and Drug Assignment: All persons providing alcohol and
drug counseling services within the Alcohol and Drug Program must be certified as an Alcohol and Drug
Counselor OR be licensed as a mental health professional, OR within six (6) months of the date of hire, all
non-licensed individuals pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Division 4, Chapter 8, Subchapter
2, or non-certified individuals providing counseling services in an AOD program, must be registered to obtain
certification as an AOD counselor by one of the approved certifying organization (CCR, Section 13035 (f)).

Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required.

Special Working Conditions: All assignments: Exposure to offensive odors such as unwashed people and
clothes, human and animal feces; the possibility of infections which may cause chronic disease or death;
and may be exposed to cigarette smoke. Juvenile Hall and Acute/Emergency Services assignments:
Exposure to noise, such as people yelling. Children's Service assignment: Exposure to disturbing material,
such as photos of abused children; allergens such as poison oak, insect stings or bites, and pollens. Some
positions may require lifting objects such as boxes of belongings weighing up to fifty pounds. Note: Persons
in this classification may be assigned to positions with any of the above working conditions on an
emergency, as needed basis.

Other Special Requirements: Positions may be assigned to carry an agency issued cell phone and laptop
and respond to crisis situations and perform "on-call" or call/back duties. Work situations may include
evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of psychological and social aspects and characteristics of emotional
disturbances and mental illness and/or substance use disorders; principles and methods of counseling and
the accepted techniques for assessing psycho-social behavior; welfare and institution codes 5150 and 5585;
crisis intervention models. Working knowledge of human behavior and development; appropriate and
available community resources; problems, needs and attitudes of individuals with emotional and social
disturbance; pertinent laws and regulations regarding health and social service programs; laws and
regulations as they pertain to clients’ legal rights. Some knowledge of pharmacology of medications and
psychotropic drug treatment; current diagnostic and statistical manual of the American Psychiatric
Association.

Ability to: Assess and diagnose all types of client behavioral, substance use and emotional
actions/problems, and develop and implement effective and appropriate treatment plans; conduct
effective and appropriate individual and group psychotherapy on an on-going basis; train others at various
levels of expertise in the concepts and theories of the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and/or
substance use disorders; prepare a variety of administrative and professional reports; lead and participate
in a treatment team, including effectively coordinating and directing the work of others; establish and
maintain a variety of case notes, client records and other required documentation; communicate effectively
in both oral and written form, expressing complex and technical terminology and concepts in an
understandable manner; learn Agency’s policies and procedures relative to client support and treatment
programs; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance
of required duties; learn to input and access data utilizing a computer; distinguish speech and non-speech
sounds in noisy environments; intervene and diffuse situations involving individuals in crisis who are
presenting a danger to themselves or others due to a grave disability; stand and walk for extended periods
of time may be required for some positions. Work in field-based settings; be designated to perform 5150

and/or 5585 assessments and holds, including lifting holds when indicated following a comprehensive risk
assessment in a variety of settings including in the community, in the office, or as a co-responder with law
enforcement or emergency medical services; interact with individuals in crisis and utilize evidence-based
crisis de-escalation techniques to stabilize the individual and connect them with services, including
hospitalization or admission to a crisis program in the community; see new patients who are not connected
with services and presenting as a walk-in to the Access Team or similar programs; perform suicide risk
assessments and utilize that information to develop a comprehensive safety plan for the individual.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you
have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job
announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete
in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training
and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all
components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there
are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the
announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months, and your overall score will be based
upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is
necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to
remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and
supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite
510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications
will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing
date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, and people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability
that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new
employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation
and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County
contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA
Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average
compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability
Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have
their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to
cover qualifying health care expenses.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

SENIOR MENTAL HEALTH CLIENT SPECIALIST II

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS

NAME: _________________________________________________

THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS ARE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION WILL BE
SCREENED OUT OF THE SELECTION PROCESS. Employment, internship, or volunteer
experiences referred to in your responses MUST also be included in the Employment
History section of the application.

NOTE: Please answer the question(s) below as completely and thoroughly as
possible, as your answer(s) may be used to assess your qualifications for moving to
the next step in the recruitment process.

1. Describe the population(s) to whom you have provided mental health and/or

substance abuse services and the types of settings in which you have provided
those services.

2. Describe your scope of experience (if any) providing mental health services for

adults with serious mental illness.

3. Describe your scope of experience (if any) providing mental health services for

children/youths who have been diagnosed with an emotional disturbance and
support services for their families.

4. Describe your scope of experience (if any) providing psychosocial assessments for

children/youth and/or adults.

5. Describe your scope of experience (if any) providing crisis services in community
response teams, walking in clinics, crisis lines, & forensic settings (such as juvenile
halls, jails, and co-response with law enforcement).

6. Do you hold current certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor?
 Yes
 No

7. How much experience, if any, do you have providing mental health services for

children or youth clients?
 Less than 0.5 Months

 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

8. How much experience, if any, do you have providing mental health services for adult
clients?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

9. How much experience, if any, do you have providing substance abuse counseling
services for drug and/or alcohol issues?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

10. How much experience, if any, do you have providing services in locked psychiatric
facilities (includes psychiatric hospitals and Institutes for Mental Disorder)?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

11. How much experience, if any, do you have providing mental health and/or substance
abuse services in criminal justice settings such as juvenile hall, California Youth
Authority, county jail, prison or programs serving adult or youth probationers?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

12. How much experience, if any, do you have working in residential mental health or
substance abuse settings (not including residential services for developmentally
delayed population)?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

13. How much experience, if any, do you have providing mental health or substance
abuse services in community settings, such as client’s home, park, etc. (not in office,
residential facility or clinic setting)?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

14. How much experience, if any, do you have providing crisis services in community

response teams, walk in clinics, crisis lines, & forensic settings (such as juvenile
halls, jails, and co-response with law enforcement)?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

15. How much experience, if any, do you have placing agitated, distressed and/or
acutely psychiatrically symptomatic persons on a 5150 hold and/or assessing such
patients to determine if they need to be psychiatrically hospitalized?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

16. How much experience, if any, do you have conducting and documenting
psychosocial evaluations/assessments including determining Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual (DSM) diagnosis?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

17. How much experience, if any, do you have providing mental health and/or
substance abuse services while collaborating with co-workers or representatives
from different disciplines (psychiatrists, consumer employees, therapists, case
managers, social workers, public guardians, probation officers, teachers,
psychologists, law enforcement officers, and/or different agencies?

 Less than 0.5 Months
 0.5-5 Months
 6-12 Months
 13-24 Months
 25-36 Months

(Note: Selective certification to positions will be based on the preference(s) you have
indicated above along with the demonstrated working knowledge and abilities you
have demonstrated on your application and supplemental application).

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