Mental Health Program Specialist - Primary Care Interface Team - SPA Prf. (Dept. Promotional Only)

Description

San Mateo County Health is seeking an experienced individual for the position of Mental Health Program Specialist - Primary Care Interface - Spanish Speaking Preferred to coordinate and supervise a specialized program in the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Division; supervise a small staff of professionals; consult with several community groups and agencies on mental health services and awareness; set up service delivery systems; and perform related duties as assigned.

The current vacancy is in the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division's Primary Care Interface Program. The position is located in San Mateo, but may travel throughout the County to perform duties of the position.

The Mental Health Program Specialist will maintain an active caseload and assist the Supervising Mental Health Clinician (Unit Chief) in coordinating and supervising the Primary Care Interface Program. The Primary Care Interface team provides brief therapy, case management, MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) and psychiatric evaluation to youth and adult patients who are referred by their primary care provider. Interface staff are embedded in San Mateo County-operated primary care clinics and work collaboratively with primary care to provide integrated treatment.

In addition to maintaining an active caseload, the Mental Health Program Specialist will directly supervise 3-5 MAT co-occurring case managers, complete monthly reports, attend MAT meetings, adult and youth leadership meetings, travel to different clinic sites, support current staff and train new staff in documentation compliance, build collaborative relationships with primary care, provide support to carry out administrative responsibilities of the program such as data gathering, reporting, program planning and back up unit chief as needed. The ideal candidate will possess a thorough understanding of an integrated approach to primary care and behavioral health including alcohol and other drug services, have solid clinical background with knowledge of evidence based practices, have strong oral and written communication skills, have flexibility in job assignments, have the ability to work in a fast paced environment among clinical, primary care, administrative and management staff, have proficient use of AVATAR, EPIC and experience working in a culturally diverse and multidisciplinary environment.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Thorough understanding of an integrated approach to primary care and behavioral health including alcohol and other drug services
• Solid clinical background with knowledge of evidence-based practices
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Flexibility in job assignments and have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment among clinical, primary care, administrative and management staff
• Proficient use of AVATAR and EPIC
• Experience working in a culturally diverse and multidisciplinary environment
• Fluency in both English and Spanish is preferred with demonstrated ability to provide clinical services using bilingual skills for monolingual Spanish speaking clients

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate assigned program activities with services provided by and responsibilities of the Division's Regional clinics, private service providers, schools, state institutions and other public or community agencies.
• Establish and maintain program procedures which are consistent with Federal, State and local laws governing mental health services.
• Monitor and consult with contract providers to ensure compliance with services requested by the County and help determine jointly beneficial solutions to problem areas.
• Research and prepare grant proposals for specific mental health projects.
• Consult with schools and other public agencies regarding the assigned program and provide the proper program supervision and liaison to the contracted service providers .
• Collaborate with Primary care providers regarding services provided in the primary care setting.
• Evaluate and integrate changes in legislation into the program procedures.
• Provide clinical consultation to various agencies.
• Evaluate employee performance of subordinates assigned to program.
• Compile data and prepare program evaluations and other reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience : Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Three years of experience as a Mental Health professional.

License/Certification:

• California license as one of the following: 1) Clinical Social Worker; 2) Marriage and Family Therapist; or 3) Clinical Psychologist.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, techniques and practices of program management and delivery.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision and training.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and County policies and guidelines.
• Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology.
• Current principles and practices of psychiatric casework.
• Human and health services systems in the County including private agencies and other community resources.
• Various methods used in individual and group therapies such as role playing, play, art and milieu.
• Methods and techniques used in mental health education.

Skill/Ability to :

• Plan, assign, supervise, review and evaluate the work of interdisciplinary subordinates.
• Train staff in work procedures and provide technical and programmatic assistance to staff and subcontractors.
• Analyze, interpret and apply various regulations, requirements and/or clinical approaches.
• Prepare grant proposals and written reports.
• Set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment.
• Evaluate patients/clients' degree of mental disability or emotional distress.
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally and make public presentations as needed.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy and regulatory guidelines.

Application/Examination

Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in San Mateo County Health with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in the County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
Final Filing Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: Week of June 16, 2026
Panel Interviews: Week of June 22, 2026
About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community, and we encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Talent Acquisition Contact: Priscilla Bermudez (060226) (Mental Health Program Specialist - G081)

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• County of San Mateo Human Resources Department

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