Practitioner

County of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 5,415,345 - 7,317,811; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual allowance

Special Duty Assignment allowance

Job summary

The County of Santa Barbara is hiring for multiple full-time Practitioner Intern positions in Santa Barbara and surrounding areas. Responsibilities include assessing and treating clients with mental health issues. Candidates must have a valid California registration and must obtain full licensure within four years. Ideal candidates should possess strong communication skills and experience in psychiatric settings. Benefits and bilingual allowances are available. Contact Leza Patatanian at [e-mail] for applications.

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid license as LCSW, LPCC, or LMFT required upon appointment.
• A valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose, and provide psychotherapeutic treatment for clients.
• Work within interdisciplinary teams to provide treatment.
• Collaborate with community partners to meet client needs.
• Provide individual, family, and group therapy.
• Maintain accurate electronic medical records.
• Travel between sites as needed.

Skills

Experience in psychiatric facility or community mental health program

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office

Fluency in English and Spanish

Education

Valid registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences

California license as LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC within four years

Six hours of continuing education in marriage and family therapy per license renewal

Job description

Job Summary

We are accepting applications to fill multiple full-time Practitioner Intern/I/II vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The department may hire at the Practitioner Associate, I, or II level. If hired at I or II levels, possession of a valid license as LCSW, LPCC, or LMFT is required at the time of appointment.

Location

Applicants may be assigned to Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Goleta, Lompoc, Los Olivos, Santa Maria, and Santa Ynez.

Salary

Practitioner Associate: $39.31 - $47.14 hourly ($81,758.56 - $98,049.12 annually)

Practitioner I: $43.03 - $51.68 hourly ($89,492.00 - $107,488.16 annually)

Practitioner II: $44.83 - $53.88 hourly ($93,240.16 - $112,066.24 annually)

Bilingual allowance when applicable. Special Duty Assignment allowance for those regularly assigned to a Psychiatric Health Facility.

Benefits

Click on the Benefits tab or CLICK HERE for more information on County benefits. Applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose, counsel, and provide psychotherapeutic treatment, rehabilitation, and care coordination for seriously emotionally disturbed children and adolescents, and seriously and persistently mentally ill adults.
• Work within a system of interdisciplinary departmental teams or contract service agencies providing assessment, prevention, intervention, and treatment.
• Collaborate with community partners to address clients’ needs.
• Provide individual, family, and group therapy including crisis intervention, case management linkage, and advocacy.
• Maintain accurate and timely electronic medical records.
• Travel between sites as needed.

The Ideal Candidate Will

• Have experience in a psychiatric facility or community mental health program.
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Work with clients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Have proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office.
• Speak English and Spanish fluently (preferred for some positions).

Duties

• Interview potential clients to assess needs and provide counseling or psychotherapeutic services.
• Develop treatment and service plans involving the client and family.
• Document clinical activity, diagnostic and interview findings, and recommendations.
• Advise clients’ relatives and caregivers about treatment and rehabilitation.
• Educate clients and families about their diagnosis and treatment process.
• Assist clients in obtaining stable housing, healthcare, benefits, and basic living skills.
• Cross‑train and cover roles in crisis services programs as needed.

Qualifications

• Valid registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW), or Professional Clinical Counselor Intern (PCC); or Waivered Psychologist status within California.
• Must obtain a California license as LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC within four years of appointment.
• For Waivered Psychologist, must obtain a California Licensed Psychologist before waiver expiration.
• Minimum of six hours of continuing education in marriage and family therapy per license renewal.
• A valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required.
• Knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions; methods of developing treatment plans; human service delivery systems; basic math.
• Ability to perform counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; develop cooperative relationships; prepare and present clear reports.

Application Process

• Submit applications and respond to the supplemental questionnaire.
• Applicants must score at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on the employment list.
• Decision and appointment contingent upon a background investigation.
• Conditional offer subject to Live Scan background check and one‑year probationary period.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to equity and inclusion and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Contact

Leza Patatanian – [e-mail]