Clinical Counselor - High Desert State Prison (HDSP)

California Correctional Health Care Services; California; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Potential $5,000 referral bonus

Access to professional development resources

Job summary

A correctional health care agency is seeking a Clinical Counselor to work at High Desert State Prison. In this position, you will apply counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic techniques to enhance the mental well-being of incarcerated individuals. The role involves working preventatively in mental health services and supporting patients in developing effective wellness skills. Candidates should possess a relevant degree in psychology or social work and effective communication skills. This is a full-time role located in California, with additional application review dates stated.

Qualifications

• Experience in mental health counseling is required.
• Licensed to apply psychotherapeutic techniques.
• Knowledge of applicable Business and Professions Codes.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling interventions to improve mental health.
• Assist incarcerated individuals in developing wellness strategies.
• Work with the mental health delivery system.

Skills

Counseling interventions

Psychotherapeutic techniques

Communication skills

Mental health knowledge

Education

Relevant degree in psychology or social work

Job description

Department Information

Vision

We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission

To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug‑free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

CDCR and CCHCS strive to collaborate with the community to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Incumbents establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities.

CDCR/CCHCS values all team members. We work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population, which includes medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR/CCHCS mission.

Clinical Counselor Position at High Desert State Prison (HDSP), Susanville, CA, Lassen County

This advertisement is for a Clinical Counselor position(s) located at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) in Susanville, CA, located in Lassen County.

Please indicate the position number on your application: 934-220-0050-XX X.

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

Department Website: https://cchcs.ca.gov/careers

Job Description and Duties

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full‑time employee in Bargaining Unit 19 and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and will receive 5 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. Part‑time employees are subject to the same conditions as full‑time employees, on a prorated basis equivalent to their time‑base. Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition as full‑time employees, based on the number of hours worked in the pay period.

Job Control is listed Until Filled. Applications will be reviewed on the following dates:

• 2/27/26
• 3/13/26
• 3/27/26
• 4/10/26
• 4/24/26
• 5/08/26
• 5/29/26
• 6/12/26
• 6/26/26
• 7/10/26
• 7/24/26
• 8/7/26

IMPORTANT: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) employees may be eligible for a $5,000 referral bonus should you be selected for hire, and remain employed with CCHCS for 90 days. For a CDCR/CCHCS employee to be considered, a questionnaire must be completed to the best of your knowledge, including the referring employee’s name, classification, PERNR, and work location. The questionnaire will be provided to the selected candidate during the pre‑employment process.

Clinical Counselor

Under the general direction of the Sr. Psychologist, Supv/Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker I, the Clinical Counselor (CC), works in Mental Health Services. The CC applies counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic techniques within the scope of applicable Business and Professions Code(s) and license, for the purpose of improving an incarcerated individual’s mental health and the effectiveness of preventative skills and behaviors developed for wellness. The CC works preventatively with the incarcerated population including those not in the mental health delivery system to provide incarcerated patient access, outreach, and prevention wellness strategies.

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

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 workplace. 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.