Registered Behavioral Health Clinician - Youth and Family Services

Position Information

If you have the desire to grow in the mental health field through training and learning opportunities, join the Youth and Family Services team as a Registered Behavioral Health Clinician today! Multiple positions available!

Starting salary up to $53.50/hour ($111,660/year), a competitive total compensation package*, an additional $1.50 per hour for fluent bilingual positions**, clinical supervision for clinical licensure, reimbursement for licensure-related fees, AND a $15,000 Signing Bonus***!
The Registered Behavioral Health Clinician - Youth and Family Services is an entry-level, registered position. To qualify for this role, you must possess one of the following valid, current registrations issued by the State of California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners (BBS):

• Associate Clinical Social Worker
• Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
• Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
• Registered Psychological Assistant (please note that we do not currently have available supervision for this registration pathway)
• Registered Psychologist
• Possession of a successor registration or licensure recognized as equivalent by the State of California.

Note: These positions may also be filled by a Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician - Youth and Family Services , for which there is a separate, concurrent recruitment. If you wish to be considered for the Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician - Youth and Family Services positions , please apply for that recruitment.

About the Position

The Youth and Family Services section within the Department of Health Services provides outpatient mental health services to children and youth, including therapy, case management, rehabilitation, and medication support. These positions will provide vital services in one of the Youth and Family Services programs and will focus on:

• Conducting clinical and risk assessments of individuals
• Providing crisis intervention in clinics, schools, homes, and/or in a field-based setting
• Providing counseling to individuals and families, with a focus on working with the youth in our community
• Connecting the clients to necessary resources and services
• Working with diverse populations using trauma-informed practices and culturally sensitive responses
• Maintaining accurate and timely clinical documentation of services, gathering necessary information, and providing follow-up support to clients as directed

The most qualified candidates for these positions will have experience providing psychotherapy services to youth and families, be passionate about the mental health field and helping others, and possess many of the following:

• Experience providing crisis interventions, risk assessments, trauma-informed care, and case management services
• The ability to work well as part of a multidisciplinary team
• An understanding of when to seek supervision or consultation
• Recovery-focused experience with clients with a substance abuse disorder and/or mental health condition
• Knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of effective interviewing techniques and case management practices
• The ability to adapt to a client's needs and problem-solve as necessary
• English/Spanish fluent bilingual skills are required for the CAPE and FASST positions (see below)

About the Programs

The Crisis Assessment, Prevention, and Education (CAPE) Team (Fluent Bilingual Required) - provides on-campus mental health services across eight designated high school districts in Sonoma County. This role includes crisis response and consultation, assessment and intervention, linkage to care, education and prevention, and post-crisis support. This role collaborates closely with Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) Counselors on the CAPE team to provide integrated support addressing both mental health and substance use needs.

Family Advocacy, Stabilization and Support Team Full Service Partnership (FASST-FSP) (Fluent Bilingual Required) - This p rogram provides accessible, high-acuity short-term specialty mental health services to youth and support for their families. Services include diagnostic assessments, field-based outpatient therapy, care coordination, crisis intervention, case management, and referrals to specialized care. The program prioritizes client-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices that promote healing, recovery, and resilience. Clinicians work within a multidisciplinary team to ensure integrated care and continuity of services, often in collaboration with schools, primary care providers, housing services, and community partners. There will be after-hours on-call shifts required for these positions.

Foster Youth Team (FYT) - Every foster youth in Sonoma County receives a full CANS (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths) Assessment to determine if they have behavioral health needs. We are looking for a compassionate, dedicated, and dynamic individual to assess and coordinate care for our foster youth, ages 0-21. The FYT Assessor will be embedded in the Family Youth and Children (CPS) office to help foster youth access mental health care in a more efficient and trauma-informed way. This assessor will also provide crisis intervention and therapeutic support while coordinating care. This person will need to work closely with child welfare social workers and other professionals and caregivers in the youth’s life. It is important that this person enjoys working as a multidisciplinary team. There will be after-hours on-call shifts required for these positions.

Click on the following links to see what the team has been up to! Youth and Family Services LatinX Clinic Grand Opening (English) and Youth Mental Health Awareness

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• ***Hiring Incentives (New Full-Time and Part-Time Hires, Prorated Based on FTE) - The Department of Health Services is currently offering a $15,000 signing bonus paid over three installments during the first two years of service (for full-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
• Bilingual Premium Pay** - An additional $1.50/hour on top of the hourly pay rate for fluent bilingual positions
• Clinical and Group Clinical Supervision - Offered for Registered Associates working towards clinical licensure
• Fee Reimbursement - Possible reimbursement for registration fees and additional BBS requirements
• 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
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - This confidential service is available to all County of Sonoma employees and their family members
• Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement 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

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

This recruitment is being conducted to fill four Registered Behavioral Health Clinician - Youth and Family Services positions in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title is Behavioral Health Clinician Intern.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include possession of Master's degree or higher in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field.

Special Requirements: Valid, current registration with the State of California as either an Associate Clinical Social Worker, a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Intern, a Registered Psychological Assistant, OR a Registered Psychologist, OR a successor registration or licensure recognized as equivalent by the State of California.

Incumbents in this classification are expected to acquire sufficient knowledge and ability to pass the licensing examinations. Consequently, each employee is expected to successfully pass the licensing exam within three years. Failure to pass the licensing exams within three years and/or loss of State registration at any time may result in termination or reassignment, if such a vacancy exists and the incumbent meets the minimum requirements.

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.

The positions advertised on this announcement do require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles and techniques of individual, family, child, and group counseling; individual, group, and family psychodynamics; psychological diagnostic methods and terminology; personality development from infancy through adulthood; current principles and practices of psychiatric case work; the scope and activities of human and health services systems in the community including private agencies and other community resources; various methods used in individual and group therapies; social aspects, characteristics, treatment, and management of mentally and/or emotionally disturbed individuals and their families; the needs, problems, and attitudes of mentally disturbed, socially, and economically disadvantaged people, and minorities; the principles of community mental health; the principles of crisis intervention, child sexual abuse treatment, forensic services, and school services; client's legal rights.

Ability to: set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment; evaluate clients' degree of mental disability or emotional distress; develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of mentally and emotionally disturbed clients to secure pertinent information and to effectively deliver mental health services; establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, clients, and their families, supervisors, ancillary staff, social agencies, and others who have an interest in mental health issues; supervise individual and group behavior, and provide necessary support; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive clinical records; analyze such information and reach sound decisions on the basis of such information; communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• 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.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: SZ

HR Technician: KK

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits:*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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