Behavioral Health Clinician Intern

  • Sonoma County, CA
  • Santa Rosa, California
  • Mar 05, 2024
Full Time Internship Public Health
  • Salary: 84,924 USD

Job Description

Position Information

Are you a skilled Behavioral Health professional with a passion for helping others?
Join the Department of Health Services as a Behavioral Health Clinician Intern!


Starting salary up to $49.46/hour ($103,228/year), and a competitive total compensation package!* PLUS a $15,000 Signing Bonus^

The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services (DHS) seeks licensed professionals to fill multiple full-time, part-time, and extra-help Behavioral Health Clinician Internpositions within multiple behavioral health programs. Note: These positions may also be filled by Behavioral Health Clinicians, for which there is a separate, concurrent recruitment intended for individuals who are already licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology.

Under direct supervision of licensed Behavioral Health staff, Behavioral Health Clinician Interns provide recovery-oriented behavioral health interventions to adults, families, children, and youth. These services include individual and group counseling, case management, crisis intervention, outreach, and other related support. Behavioral Health Clinician Interns work in a variety of programs including:

  • AB 109 and PC1370 Programs
  • Adult Access
  • Adult Services Team (Adult Full-Service Partnership, Integrated Health Team, Integrated Recovery Team, Older Adult Team, Community Mental Health Centers, SonomaWORKS, Transitional Age Youth Team, Transitional Recovery, Whole Person Care)
  • Crisis Stabilization Unit
  • Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Team
  • Homelessness Services (Homeless Encampment Access and Resource Team, Homekey Cohort, Interdepartmental Multidisciplinary Team)
  • Hospital Liaison Team & Utilization Review
  • Mobile Support Team
  • Program Support (Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Team)
  • Substance Use Disorder Services
  • Youth Services (Family Advocacy, Stabilization and Support Team, Foster Youth Team, Juvenile Hall, Juvenile Sex Offender Program, Valley of the Moon Children’s Home, Child Trauma Response Team, Youth Access, Youth Medication Support)
Note : For information on these Behavioral Health Division programs, many of the programs above are hyperlinked for additional resources.

In addition to the required registration, the ideal candidates for these position will:

  • Have prior recovery-focused and/or evidence based professional experience with substance abuse disorder and/or mental health clients
  • Be registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology
  • Work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Possess the ability to multi-task and set priorities independently and understand when to seek supervision and consultation
  • Possess strong attention to detail
  • Thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
  • Currently be registered as a Medicare provider or willing to register upon appointment
What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

  • Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
  • Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
  • County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
  • An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
  • County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
  • Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
  • May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
  • Some positions may have the ability to work within a hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve
^Hiring Incentives (New Full-Time and Part-Time Hires, Prorated Based on FTE)
The Department of Health Services is currently offering a $15,000 signing bonus paid over three installments during the first two years of service.

Other incentives which may be offered, if applicable, include:
  • Advanced paid vacation and/or sick leave (up to 24 hours per leave type)
  • Relocation reimbursement up to $5,000
Please note: Effective January 1, 2017, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) must obtain written confirmation from the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) stating that they meet the requirements to assess and treat couples and families prior to assessing or treating a couple or family client. If you are a LPCC, be sure to answer the corresponding supplemental question and attach your written confirmation from the BBS to your application materials.

**Applicants who indicate they do not possess bilingual skills will not be considered for future bilingual positions. An examination will be conducted prior to employment to confirm skill level. The bilingual premium pay begins upon the assignment of bilingual work.

EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENT

Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as: long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a county contribution toward medical coverage.

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Engineers and Scientists of California Union Local 20 Memorandum of Understanding (ESC MOU) and our Employee Benefits directory.

This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include possession of Master's degree or higher in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field.

Special Requirements: Valid, current registration with the State of California as either an Associate Clinical Social Worker, a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Intern, a Registered Psychological Assistant, OR a Registered Psychologist, OR a successor registration or licensure recognized as equivalent by the State of California.

Incumbents in this classification are expected to acquire sufficient knowledge and ability to pass the licensing examinations. Consequently, each employee is expected to successfully pass the licensing exam within three years. Failure to pass the licensing exams within three years and/or loss of State registration at any time may result in termination or reassignment, if such a vacancy exists and the incumbent meets the minimum requirements.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles and techniques of individual, family, child, and group counseling; individual, group, and family psychodynamics; psychological diagnostic methods and terminology; personality development from infancy through adulthood; current principles and practices of psychiatric case work; the scope and activities of human and health services systems in the community including private agencies and other community resources; various methods used in individual and group therapies; social aspects, characteristics, treatment, and management of mentally and/or emotionally disturbed individuals and their families; the needs, problems, and attitudes of mentally disturbed, socially, and economically disadvantaged people, and minorities; the principles of community mental health; the principles of crisis intervention, child sexual abuse treatment, forensic services, and school services; client's legal rights.

Ability to: set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment; evaluate clients' degree of mental disability or emotional distress; develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of mentally and emotionally disturbed clients to secure pertinent information and to effectively deliver mental health services; establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, clients, and their families, supervisors, ancillary staff, social agencies, and others who have an interest in mental health issues; supervise individual and group behavior, and provide necessary support; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive clinical records; analyze such information and reach sound decisions on the basis of such information; communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

  • Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
  • You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
  • You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
  • Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination(weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Positions that are assigned to one or more facilities with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate pursuant to the California Department of Public Health must meet all vaccination requirements. Documented proof of vaccination(s) will be required.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted on-line at : www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: BH
HR Technician: RR

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan : Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County contribution towards the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit.For specific details, please refer to the applicable MOU).A County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement is available for some bargaining units.

Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Base Pay

84,924

Job Address

Santa Rosa, California United States View Map