Mental Health Program Manager I-Public Defender

The Job

Step increases of 2.5% up to Top Step of Applicable Salary Range after 1040 Hours

3% Annual Across the Board Salary Increase February 2026

( Salary increases contingent upon Property Related Revenue and/or

statewide Realignment Sales Tax Collections performance.)



STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS

San Bernardino County employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more details/application information, review here .

The San Bernardino County Public Defender's Office is seeking a Licensed Mental Health Program Manager to oversee the Mental Health Diversion Program under the California Mental Health Diversion Law (PC 1001.36). The role of the Program Manager would entail overseeing the planning, coordination, and delivery of mental health services for Public Defender clients. In this role, the Program Manager would facilitate multidisciplinary meetings, evaluate program effectiveness, ensure treatment plans are created in a timely manner, and create client-centered strategies that support a fluid transition from custody into mental health services for those participating in the Mental Health Diversion Program.

Additionally, the Program Manager will directly supervise the Clinical Therapist and provide clinical supervision hours for the Social Service Practitioner Unit. Furthermore, the Program Manager will conduct Mental Health Diversion Program clinical evaluations in determining whether the client meets the criteria under the Mental Health Diversion Law and will testify on their findings if needed.
For more information, refer to the Mental Health Program Manager I job description.

About The Public Defender's Office

The Law Offices of the Public Defender San Bernardino County is a county department that is staffed with attorneys licensed by the State Bar of California. The attorneys who handle cases in court are called Deputy Public Defenders. In addition to attorneys, the Public Defender employs Investigators to fully investigate cases handled by the Department. The Department also has a unit of social service practitioners and support staff to ensure the best holistic representation for clients.

The Public Defender will be appointed to represent any criminal or civil commitment defendant who cannot afford to hire an attorney, unless the office has a legal conflict of interest with that defendant’s case. The Public Defender represents adults and juveniles charged with misdemeanor or felony crimes, and individuals facing involuntary civil commitment for mental disorders or commitment under the Sexually Violent Predator statute.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender San Bernardino County is a leader in innovation, developing and implementing programs to operate more efficiently and improving individual lives. Using a holistic approach, the Public Defender seeks to increase client opportunities for achieving self-sufficiency. In addition to providing legal defense, our agency also seeks to arrange client access to social service programs and assistance with receiving alcohol and drug rehabilitation services and counseling for mental health issues.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background: A background investigation will be conducted, including a DOJ/FBI fingerprint check and drug screening.

License: A valid California Clinical Social Worker license must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.
Certification: California Board of Behavioral Science Supervision Training certification must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.

Travel: Travel throughout the County may be required and employees will be required to make provisions for such transportation.

Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS PACKAGE

Benefits Overview

HEALTH BENEFITS

PAID TIME OFF

RETIREMENT PERKS

• Medical & Dental: Family Coverage
• Vision: Employee Coverage
• Premium subsidies to offset health costs
• Flexible Spending Account: Pre-tax account for qualified healthcare expenses

• Up to 4 weeks accruable vacation with cash-out option
• 11 days accruable sick leave
• 15 paid holidays
• Perfect Attendance Leave
• Flexible work schedules (in some departments)

• Generous pension
• Retirement reciprocity may be available!
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation
• Retirement Medical Trust (RMT)

DCAP Account - County Paid Life Insurance - AD&D Insurance - 529 Savings Plan - Short & Long-Term Disability
Wellness Program - Commuter Services - Employee Discounts - Annual Tuition Reimbursement

Review HERE for more Employee Benefits information

As an alternative to the traditional benefits package, you may also be eligible to elect the Modified Benefit Option (MBO) that provides an increased base rate of pay ($2.00 above the base rate of pay) with modified benefits. For more detailed information on the MBO for the Management Unit, refer to the MBO BbBOU - Benefits Summary Guide .

Minimum Requirements

License: California Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Certification: California Board of Behavioral Science Supervision Training certification.

Experience: Three (3) years of professional-level administrative and/or clinical experience within a mental health program (mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment program) or a forensic justice involved program. Experience must include responsibility in one or more of the following areas: development of programs, policies and procedures; compliance/quality management; data/legislative analysis; monitoring contracts; or budget/fiscal administration. Experience must also include managing crisis situations in the field and working in a co-located setting . Clerical and/or routine accounting experience is not considered qualifying. You must attach a copy of your California Clinical Social Worker license and proof of completion of a Supervision Training Course approved by the California Board of Behavioral Science to your application.

Selection Process

Application Procedure : To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 pm on Friday, October 17, 2025. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire.

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of the application and supplemental questionnaire. It is to your advantage to be explicit in your responses on the application and supplemental questionnaire.

All communications regarding the selection process will be via e-mail. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mail frequently to learn additional information regarding this recruitment. Check your GovernmentJobs account for notifications. Update your firewalls to allow e-mails from San Bernardino County through governmentjobs.com. Update your Spam, Junk, and Bulk settings to ensure it will not spam/block/filter communications from e-mail addresses with the following domain "@hr.county.gov". Finally, be sure to keep your personal information updated. Taking these steps now will help ensure you receive all communications regarding this recruitment.

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note, if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application we have not received your application.

If you require technical assistance, please review the Government Jobs Online Application Guide , or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer or browser used to submit the application.


EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.

Veterans’ Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouse or widow(er) who are not current County employees may be awarded additional Veterans’ Preference points. Please review the Veteran's Preference information and instructions on how to request Veteran's Preference points.

Please review for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process

Management Unit

The County of San Bernardino offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.

For a summary of benefits,* please click here .

Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County's Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the Benefits website for more detailed information at hr.sbcounty.gov/employee-benefits/ .

*Retirement benefits subject to change.

Closing Date/Time: 10/17/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• San Bernardino County

• 9093878304

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