MENTAL HEALTH CLIENT SPECIALIST I

santacruzcountyca.gov

Santa Cruz (CA)

On-site

USD 72,000 - 90,000

Part time

5 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Holidays

Retirement plan

Medical plan

Job summary

County of Santa Cruz is seeking a Mental Health Client Specialist to provide professional mental health and/or substance abuse services, including case management, crisis intervention, evaluation, and counseling. Bilingual Spanish-English clinicians may translate materials and interpret for clients in need.

Applicants with a master’s degree in related fields are encouraged to apply. The position is Extra-Help with the potential for future full-time or part-time vacancies, requiring a California

Qualifications

Four years full-time experience in mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation, or case management.
Fluency in Spanish and English for bilingual positions to provide full range of services.
Knowledge of laws, regulations, and client rights applicable to health and social services.

Responsibilities

Provide a variety of professional mental health and/or substance abuse services and related administrative functions.
Conduct case management, crisis intervention, evaluation, and counseling as part of treatment plans.
Assist in implementing treatment/service plans and coordinate with treatment teams.
Translate or interpret for Spanish-speaking clients when required; document and report client progress.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Case management

Counseling

Assessment

Interpersonal communication

Education

Master's degree in behavioral health counseling or social work-related field

Bachelor’s degree in counseling/psychology or related field

Master’s degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Social Work, Clinical Psychology or related field

Job description

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

County of Santa CruzINVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

County Equity Statement

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 opportunities and access, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

THE JOB:

Under general supervision, to provide a variety of professional mental health and/or substance abuse services and related administrative functions in support of clients and their families, including case management, short term crisis intervention, evaluation, counseling, and/or assisting in the implementation of appropriate treatment or service plans and to do other work as required. Bilingual Mental Health Client Specialist positions require that the mental health and/or substance abuse clinician be fully fluent in Spanish and English to provide the full range of professional level mental health and/or substance abuse services in Spanish, including the facilitation of individual, group, family, and crisis counseling. Bilingual clinicians may be asked to translate written clinical materials and interpret for Spanish speaking clients that need to communicate with monolingual Englishspeaking mental health and/or substance abuse professionals. Applicants who have completed a master’s degree in behavioral health counseling or social work-related field are encouraged to apply. The current vacancy is for Extra-Help. The list established from this recruitment will be used for current and future full-time, part-time vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these would be: Four years full-time experience in a recognized public or private agency providing mental health counseling*, substance abuse counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation, or case management services to individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or emotional disturbance.

ORBA Degree from a college or university in counseling, psychology, other mental health related field AND three years full-time experience in a recognized public or private agency providing mental health counseling*, substanceabuse counseling, psycho-social assessment, or case management services to individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or emotional disturbance.

ORA one-year Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, or closely related behavioral science field AND two years full-time experience in a recognized public or private agency providing mental healthcounseling*, substance abuse counseling, psycho-social assessment, or case management services to mentallyill, substance abusing, or emotionally disturbed individuals.

ORA two-year master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, or closely related behavioral science field (with a focus in counseling methods or techniques).* 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 assigned treatment or case management team;

prepare a variety of administrative and professional reports; learn the appropriate laws, regulations, Agency policies and procedures of health and social service programs; communicate effectively and persuasively in both oral and written form; establish and maintain effective work 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 combative clients which may include active restraint if needed; and stand and walk for extended periods of time may be required for some positions.

Mental Health Client Specialist

Closing Date: Friday, December 4, 2026

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 PublicEmployees’ 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 qualifyingDEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.