One year as a Mental Health Client Specialist or equivalent experience.
OR
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or closely
related behavioral science field.
AND
Three years full-time experience in a recognized public or private agency providing mental health
counseling, substance abuse counseling, psycho-social assessment, or case management services to
individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or emotional disturbance, which includes a
minimum of two years’ experience in providing crisis intervention services in the community or in an
inpatient psychiatric program.
- Educational counseling may be considered for up to 50 percent of qualifying experience for assignments in
Children’s Mental Health.
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. 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)).
Other Special Requirements/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; hostile or violent individuals 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.
Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required.
Special Requirements: Positions may be assigned to carry a pager and respond to crisis situations and
perform "on call" or call/back duties. Work situations may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Knowledge: Working knowledge of symptoms and behaviors of major mental illnesses and/or substance
use disorders; basic social rehabilitation, socialization and practical life management skills; psychosocial
aspects and characteristics of emotional disturbances, substance abuse and mental illness; principles and
methods of interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention and assessing psychosocial behaviors; human
behavior and development; and problems, attitudes, and needs of the emotionally or socially disturbed.
Some knowledge of community resources; pharmacology of medications and psychotropic drugs; and laws
and regulations as they pertain to clients' rights.
Ability to: Assess clients' behavioral, substance use and emotional problems/conditions, making
knowledgeable recommendations and/or designing appropriate service plans; interview clients and record
pertinent information in an effective manner, obtaining accurate social, personal, and psychosocial
information; conduct effective individual and group mental health/substance abuse services with assigned
clients including adults with serious mental and/or substance use disorders, individuals in crisis, and/or
children with emotional disturbance and/or substance abuse under supervision; participate effectively with
