Mental Health Counselor *Revised

The Position

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This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5 : 00 pm on :

3 / 26 / 24, 4 / 30 / 24, 5 / 28 / 24, *6 / 14 / 24, *6 / 24 / 24, *7 / 5 / 24, 6 / 25 / 24, 7 / 30 / 24, 8 / 27 / 24, 9 / 24 / 24, 10 / 29 / 24, 11 / 26 / 24, 12 / 31 / 24

For more information, see the Mental Health Counselor Brochure (Download PDF reader)

The following table illustrates the salary range for this position should you be assigned to one of the programs that receives a differential :

Program Differential Amount Combined Salary Community Support Team5%$86,552.45 - $100,187.42Homeless Engagement and Response Team (In the Field / Encampments)5%$86,552.

45 - $100,187.42Mental Health Treatment Center7.5%$88,613.22 - $102,572.83Community Wellness Response Team10%$90,673.99 - $104,958.

25YDF Valley Oak Youth Academy15%$94,795.54 - $109,729.08

Note : Vacancies may be permanent or intermittent on-call (per-diem). Shift differential may be available in addition to base salary.

PM (swing) shift - 7.5%. NOC (grave) - 10%.

Under direction, the Mental Health Counselor provides professional mental health treatment services for severe mental disorders in in-patient or out patient settings, including assessment, diagnosis, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, non-medical psychotherapy, and initiation of involuntary holds;

to prepare reports and maintain records related to patient or client services; and to perform related duties as assigned.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of

• principles and techniques of clinical interviewing, diagnosis, and assessment
• the most current version of DSM
• theories, principles and techniques of individual and group psychotherapy
• psychological, physical and social aspects of mental disorders, chemical dependency, and recovery
• theories of human behavior and personality and techniques of evaluating, and modifying human behavior
• planning, development and implementation of comprehensive treatment plans
• Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations governing mental health treatment
• basic techniques of training
• referral sources and community resources

Ability to

• conduct accurate and thorough assessments of client status, history, danger to self and others, progress, chemical dependency, and related mental health information
• prepare diagnoses and evaluations of mental disorders
• conduct effective professional clinical interviews
• formulate, implement, and monitor treatment plans
• conduct group and individual psychotherapy
• respond appropriately in crisis situations
• understand, interpret and apply complex mental-health technical materials and applicable laws, codes and regulations
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, staff, and other agencies
• prepare effective written reports
• maintain accurate records
• communicate effectively in oral and written form
• provide effective training, guidance and consultation to other staff
• assist in physically controlling and / or restraining violent and / or combative patients

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Either : A Master's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a mental health related field such as psychology, counseling, social work, or psychiatric nursing.

Or : Current enrollment in the final semester of a master's program at an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree in a mental health related field such as psychology, counseling, social work, or psychiatric nursing.

NOTE : Failure to submit proof of completion of master's degree within six months of appointment may be cause for release from probation or discipline in accordance with Civil Service Commission Rules.

Note : Persons who were employed by the Sacramento County Health Department, held permanent or probationary status in Sacramento County Civil Service, and were engaged in the direct delivery of mental health service in the Mental Health or Alcohol Division on July 24, 1980, may substitute their mental health experience for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Employees qualifying under this provision must have a combined minimum of six years of acceptable experience and / or education in a mental health field, such as psychology, counseling, social work, rehabilitation counseling, public health, pastoral counseling, occupational therapy, special education, or psychiatric nursing.

Note : If the word experience is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable.

Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note : If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate / license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application.

Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here (Download PDF reader) or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

License Requirements :

Note : Failure to obtain and / or maintain such required license(s) may be cause for disciplinary action in accordance with Civil Service Commission rules.

• Selected positions require possession of a valid Class C California Driver License, or the ability to arrange for field travel, at the time of appointment.
• Current certification of training in CPR is required within 6 months of employment for positions assigned to the Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment Center.

Working Conditions :

• Duties require exposure to patients who may be hostile, violent, mentally ill, and / or who may have infectious diseases.
• Positions assigned to the Mental Health Treatment Center work shifts and holidays.

Other Special Requirements : Some positions in these classes may require the ability to communicate fluently in a language other than English.

Incumbents in such special skills positions utilize the language skill in performing the duties of the class and may serve as a consultant to others in planning and delivering effective mental health services to individuals of different language and cultural backgrounds.

The Civil Service Commission approved the use of selection certification for a special skill for the class May 8, 1980, revised the types of special skills applicable to this class March 12, 1987, and approved the use of selective certification for special language skills on April 9, 1987.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.