Behavioral Health Specialist I/II - Mental Health (Part-Time/On-Call)

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Access, Crisis and Support Line (ACSL), within the Crisis, Access and Medication Services Division, is seeking compassionate, adaptable, and service-oriented professionals to join our team as On-Call Behavioral Health Specialist I/II. This position is part of a 24/7/365 access and crisis response system that serves as the first point of contact for individuals seeking behavioral health services.

The ideal candidate is a confident professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to supporting individuals and families experiencing crisis, emotional distress, or uncertainty. Responsibilities include conducting telephonic screenings, assessing service needs and urgency, verifying eligibility, providing crisis intervention, and connecting callers with appropriate behavioral health, substance use, crisis, and community resources.

Successful candidates possess strong communication, active listening, customer service, and de-escalation skills, exercise sound judgment in high-pressure situations, and accurately document services within a confidential electronic health record. This part-time position requires flexibility to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and other shifts as needed to support continuous operations. This position will not hold a set schedule; hours will be determined based on need. The Behavioral Health Specialist works collaboratively with Crisis Response Teams, hospitals, Managed Care Plans, law enforcement, emergency responders, and community partners to ensure timely, coordinated, and person-centered care.

If you are passionate about public service, expanding access to behavioral health care, and making a meaningful difference during some of the most critical moments in people's lives, we encourage you to apply. Candidates with lived experience are encouraged to apply, as their unique perspectives strengthen engagement, foster hope, and support recovery.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
 Application Review Deadline:

• December 7, 2026

Written Examination: 

To learn more about Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, please view the link https://www.stancounty.com/bhrs/. 

THE POSITION 

Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Behavioral Health Specialist I/II. The entry-level position performs under supervision while the experienced, journey-level position performs with much greater independence. Applicants who have lived experience as a consumer of Behavioral Health & Recovery Services or a family member of a loved one who is/was a consumer of Behavioral Health & Recovery Services are encouraged to apply. 
 
This position provides a variety of para-professional counseling services to members, recommends appropriate referrals, maintains community liaisons to ensure adequate services are made available to members, provides facilitation for a variety of member- focused specialty groups, and as part of the treatment team, establishes and implements treatment plans. Behavioral Health Specialists work under supervision and may be assigned to regional teams, residential or inpatient facilities and various outpatient programs. Performs field visits to those under care and supervises subordinates. 
 

This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple vacancies for Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and establish an eligibility list to fill future Part-Time, Extra Help and On-Call vacancies.

THE PROGRAM

Access, Crisis and Support Line Program Summary

The Access, Crisis and Support Line (ACSL) is the central point of entry for behavioral health services within Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, ACSL provides telephonic crisis intervention, behavioral health screenings, eligibility determination, service navigation, referrals to mental health, substance use treatment, Mobile Crisis Response, and community-based services.

As the first point of contact for many individuals, families, healthcare providers, first responders, schools, and community partners, ACSL plays a vital role in ensuring timely access to care. Staff assess behavioral health needs, identify urgent and emergent situations, coordinate appropriate levels of care, and connect callers to services that promote safety, recovery, and wellness.

Questions? We're Here to Help!

• Respond to behavioral health access and crisis calls by conducting telephonic screenings, assessing service needs, determining urgency, and providing crisis intervention and triage.
• Connect individuals to appropriate mental health, substance use disorder, specialty behavioral health, Mobile Crisis Response, and community-based services.
• Verify eligibility, assist with benefit navigation, and advocate for timely access to appropriate services.
• Coordinate care with Behavioral Health & Recovery Services programs, hospitals, Managed Care Plans, law enforcement, emergency responders, and community partners.
• Facilitate referrals and, when appropriate, coordinate admissions to psychiatric hospitals or substance use disorder treatment programs.
• Accurately document services and maintain confidential records in accordance with County, departmental, State, and Federal requirements.
• Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team to provide person-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed services.
• Promote quality services by adhering to policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards while supporting program compliance and continuous quality improvement.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I/II

KNOWLEDGE

• Mental health case management;

• The psychosocial aspects and characteristics of mental illness;

• The principles and techniques of metal health treatment and recovery theories;

• Intervention strategies and techniques;

• The principles and techniques of group, family and individual counseling;

• Behavioral Health programs, community resources, and other public agencies;

• The principles and techniques of risk assessment and treatment;

• Harm reduction;

• Recovery principles; and

• Collaborative networks, agencies and community services such as peer support networks.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Provide mental health para-professional counseling and crisis intervention to a caseload of serious and persistent mental illness or seriously emotionally disturbed youth and their families;

• Provide a variety of highly skilled mental health services to a varied caseload of clients at multiple site locations;

• Provide services that facilitate the recovery process;

• Effectively interview clients while developing and maintaining the confidence and cooperation of individuals and their families;

• Plan, organize and conduct structured groups and classes;

• Assess client's needs and develop effective treatment plans, constantly modeling compassion and respect;

• Respond appropriately to crisis situations involving clients, making accurate interventions and taking effective action independently;

• Relate directly with community organizations, schools, parent groups;

• Supervise others and/or delegate responsibilities, when assigned;

• Communicate verbally and write concise case reports; and

• Maintain and track records of assigned clients.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Pattern I

• Fifteen (15) units of college credit* in a related field; AND

• Four (4) years' experience in crisis intervention, group/family/individual counseling or in a psychiatric inpatient setting or drug/alcohol treatment and recovery program.

Pattern II

• LVN or Psychiatric Technician license or 30 units of college credit* in a related field; AND

• Three (3) years' experience in crisis intervention, group/family/individual counseling, or a psychiatric inpatient setting or drug/alcohol treatment and recovery program.

*California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) and/or National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) hours can be considered in meeting this educational requirement.

Pattern III

• Bachelor's of Arts degree in a related field; AND

• Two (2) years responsible experience in crisis intervention, group/family/individual counseling, or a psychiatric inpatient setting or drug/alcohol treatment and recovery program.

Pattern IV

Master's degree in a related field such as, Counseling, Psychology or Social Work.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE PATTERNS

• One (1) year of experience as a Behavioral Health Specialist I, or the equivalent, in order to qualify for the Behavioral Health Specialist II level; AND

• BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers.

Proof of education is required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-6112 or email [email protected] to make other arrangements. Failure to submit proof will result in disqualification.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE

Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications. 

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS
Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on. 
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position. 
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts. 
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification.  Eligible lists are effective for six months but may be extended up to eighteen months.

GENERAL INFORMATION

CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and on-call vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

Part-time extra-help is a provisional classification where permanent status may not be obtained. This position is subject to overtime, standby, shift, and callback assignments and will perform related duties as assigned. This position is non-benefited except for participation in a 401a program with Nationwide. 

RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations are required to complete and submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form prior to the test administration date. Special arrangements for religious convictions should be included in the "Additional Information" section of the application form.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Pass County-paid pre-employment job-related background investigation.
• Perform job duties in a manner assuring a safe working environment for oneself and others.
• Maintain confidential information according to the legal standards and/or County regulations as required.
• Some positions may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and meet County insurability requirements.

APPLICATION AND/OR EXAMINATION APPEAL RIGHTS

Application and/or examination results may be appealed by applicants presenting facts alleging irregularity, fraud and/or error in application screening or in exam scoring. Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Chief Executive Officer within seven (7) days after the examination results are emailed.

DISCLAIMER

Stanislaus County reserves the right to revise the examination plan described in this flyer to better meet the needs of County service. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The information contained in the bulletin is information which sets forth a general summary of benefits for this respective position. This information is not legally binding. The benefits and other information regarding this position may be found in the Stanislaus County Code, the Stanislaus County Personnel Policies manual, or in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s), and such information prevails over information contained in this flyer. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office/Human Relations.