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About the Position:
The current position is assigned to the Behavioral Health Department's Prevention and Early Intervention programs, specifically school-based early intervention counseling as part of middle and high school Student Assistance Programs.
The Specialist will be responsible for providing behavioral health screening, counseling, and referrals, alcohol and drug education, mental health wellness promotion, and service delivery to schools and program participants, including youth, families, educators, and the public.
Behavioral Health Specialists assigned to secondary school counseling are required to work in interdisciplinary teams, provide individual and group counseling, screening and referral, and work with community and parents to promote health and wellness on campus. This includes culturally relevant and inclusive services for a diverse school population.
All prevention and early intervention Specialists develop and implement wellness activities which address mental health and substance abuse issues. This position requires work in all areas of the County and is based on a flexible schedule with limited weekend and evening work an expectation.
Definition:
Classes in this series provide a variety of outreach, prevention, evaluation, intervention, treatment, counseling, education and case management to clients of behavioral health services, including mental health and substance use disorders. Services may occur in the community, schools, clinics, jail, juvenile hall, and inpatient settings.
Typical Tasks and Representative Duties (Not in order of importance):
Manages a caseload of individual clients and client groups who require intervention, testing, screening, evaluation, education, counseling and guidance.
Provides mental health and/or substance abuse related services to clients, their families, and significant others. Services may occur in the community, schools, clinics, jail, juvenile hall, and inpatient settings.
Provides youth development activities, substance abuse and mental health education and promotion, training, support, and other services.
Provides information regarding the services of the Behavioral Health Division, and provides mental health and substance use disorder consultation services to the general public and specified target groups.
Works with community groups, youth, adults, and businesses, including non-profit organizations, and media, in providing education, outreach, wellness opportunities and alcohol and other-drug prevention education and activities.
Screens and evaluates individuals with behavioral health needs and those experiencing life stress; interviews clients to collect personal history.
Updates and maintains a variety of files, records, charts and other documents; gathers, compiles and synthesizes data for management purposes; maintains appropriate records and prepares reports. Documents all services provided within the client's electronic health record in accordance with County of San Luis Obispo Health Agency and Behavioral Health Department practices and policies which meet or exceed State and Federal regulations.
Consults with other staff and providers as needed to develop and implement treatment and guidance programs and plans for individuals and groups. Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings to review client caseload, treatment, concerns, and recommendations; prepares and presents progress reports.
Assesses cultural and linguistic differences of populations and provides language interpretation services as needed. Integrates follow-up care with existing services or resources.
Provides training for co-workers, health agency staff, community groups, and other agencies, as requested.
Promotes healthy relations between the County of San Luis Obispo and the constituent population by demonstrating courteous, cooperative and professional behaviors when interacting with clients, visitors, and other employees.
Interacts and provides services to individuals in a manner consistent with the Agency's core values and reflecting the standards of the Division which include understanding that each individual is unique and entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, with rights to make their own decisions.
Maintains and enforces all aspects of confidentially of client information in accordance with state and Federal regulations.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Factors that affect position allocation include: the complexity of assigned responsibilities, nature and size of program, independence of action, decision making authority, and level of specialized training and experience. Certification may be required for certain position assignments within the series.
This class series is distinguished from the higher level Behavioral Health Clinician series, in that the latter is a professionally licensed series and, as such, diagnoses and provides therapy for behavioral health conditions. The Behavioral Health Specialist provides client evaluation, outreach, education and counseling, but may not diagnose conditions or provide therapy.
Behavioral Health Specialist I:
Under direct supervision and within scope of certifications currently held and training and experience, may conduct screenings, interventions and counseling, direct client care, case management, outreach, prevention and recovery oriented activities.
Behavioral Health Specialist II:
Under general supervision and within scope of certifications currently held and training and experience, may conduct screenings, evaluations, interventions, counseling and treatment, education, direct client care, case management, outreach, prevention and recovery oriented activities.
Behavioral Health Specialist III:
Under general direction and within scope of certifications currently held and training and experience, and in addition to the performing all of the duties of the Specialist II, the Specialist III is responsible for the management of a caseload and/or program assignments, and providing consultation and training to staff. The Specialist III may be required to serve as lead Specialist for programs and/or teams, and may represent a Program Supervisor in their absence. The Specialist III may also provide facilitation to community groups; organize and provide educational activities; collect and analyze relevant data; and participate in curriculum development activities.
Employment Standards
Knowledge of:
Within scope of certification, training, and education: prevention, screening, evaluation, case management, crisis intervention, and counseling techniques
Principles of culturally competent recovery and resiliency oriented services
Federal, State and local regulations including confidentiality, privacy, and 42CFR
Documentation standards and requirements
Basic principles of individual and group behavior
County and Community resources
Ability to:
Effectively evaluate and provide interventions for assigned clients
Establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of clients, their families, and support systems
Plan, implement, publicize, manage, and evaluate community events and group activities.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Develop and utilize community resources
Work effectively in a demanding environment while maintaining composure and professionalism, and foster teamwork and collaboration when interacting with staff and others
Maintain a safe and orderly work environment
Document accurately in the Electronic Health Record
Education and Experience
Licensure must be held at time of application and maintained throughout employment.
Behavioral Health Specialist I:
Either A: Bachelor's degree a human social services/sciences or related health field;
Or B:Two (2) years post-secondary education in a human/social services or related health field and two (2) years experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience in education, recreation, social, human, or behavioral sciences or a related field;
Or C: High school diploma or equivalent AND four (4) years experience in other social service/substance use/mental health agency or related field;
Or D: Licensed Psychiatric Technician, Licensed Vocational Nurse, or Registered Nurse AND two (2) years experience in other social service/substance use/mental health agency or related field;
Or E: Current certification as a drug and alcohol treatment certificate or equivalent AND two (2) years experience in providing counseling/prevention services to persons with substance use related problems, or experience in other social service, substance use, or mental health agency services.
Behavioral Health Specialist II:
Either A: Master's degree program in a counseling or related field
Or B: Bachelors degree in a human social services/sciences or related health field, and two (2) years of experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services;
Or C: Two (2) years post-secondary education in a human/social services or related health field and Four (4) years experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in education, recreation, social, human, or behavioral sciences or a related field;
Or D: High school diploma or equivalent and a Licensed Psychiatric Technician, Licensed Vocational Nurse, or Registered Nurse, or a drug and alcohol treatment certificate or equivalent, AND four (4) years experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services;
Or E: two years of experience as a Behavioral Health Specialist I, or equivalent.
Behavioral Health Specialist III:
Either A: A Master's degree in a human social services or related behavioral or health science field and one (1) year experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services;
Or B: Bachelors' degree (or equivalent related credits) in education, recreation, social, human, or behavioral sciences or a related field: AND three (3) years experience in social service, substance use and/or mental health or related field;
Or C: Two (2) years post-secondary education in education, recreation, social, human, or behavioral sciences or a related field AND five (5) years experience in a social service, substance use, mental health or related field;
Or D: A Licensed Psychiatric Technician, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse, or a drug and alcohol treatment certificate or equivalent AND five (5) years experience in a social service, substance use, mental health or related field.
Licenses and Certificates:
Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid CALIFORNIA driver license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
Other Specifications:
Each recruitment will indicate the program responsibility and specific license or certificate required to fill the existing vacancy based on the needs of the County.
This class specification generally describes the duties and responsibilities characteristic of the positions(s) within this class. The duties of a particular position within a multi-position class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class. Accordingly, the essential functions of a particular position (whether it be a multi-position class or a single-position class) will be identified and used by medical examiners and hiring authorities in the selection process. If you have any questions regarding the duties or the working conditions of the position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 805.781.5959.
How to Apply
Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. To apply for this position, copy and paste this link into your browser and click "APPLY" at the top of the page: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca/jobs/3370746/behavioral-health-specialist-ii?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.
An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.
Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at our HR email address. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.
For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.
