Job Description

Behavioral Health Specialist I/II

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 clients, recommends appropriate referrals, maintains community liaisons to ensure adequate services are made available to clients, provides facilitation for a variety of client-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 Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help and On-Call vacancies.

Application deadlines and tentative exam dates:

• Application deadline: April 20, 2026 | Oral Examination: Tentatively, April 27, 2026
• Application deadline: May 11, 2026 | Oral Examination: Tentatively, May 18, 2026
• Application deadline: June 1, 2026 | Oral Examination: Tentatively, June 8, 2026

To learn more about the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Department, visit

Questions? We're Here to Help! If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, the recruitment process, or need assistance with your application, please contact the Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Recruitment Team at (209) 525-6112 or recruitments@stanbhrs.org.

Specializations: Candidates in the Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) classification may be appointed to specialize in the Mental Health (MH) area.

Typical tasks include:

• Providing a variety of highly skilled mental health and supportive services to a varied caseload of members.
• Interviewing clients to screen/access their substance use to determine their service needs.
• Providing Deputy Public Conservator services.
• Developing curriculum on various health topics; facilitating MH and support groups.
• Accompanying members in court, and/or transporting members in County vehicles.
• Preparing daily records, summarizing progress of treatment for members and keeping these records current.
• Acting as a lead worker or directing the work of others and offering training when needed.
• Advocating for and assisting members in accessing and receiving services.
• Communicating with various BHRS departments and other agencies.
• Building partnerships for positive and healthy youth development.
• Consulting with other agencies, law enforcement and community service providers for coordination or care, identifying services, and discussing referrals.
• Engaging community members and local agency partners in planning and coalition development.
• Engaging in compliant and ethical behavior in accordance with County and BHRS policy.
• Facilitating the admission/discharge of members to the County's acute psychiatric hospital or substance use disorder residential treatment programs when necessary.
• Formulating specific health education program objectives from broad program goals, assessing education and training needs through formal and informal means, and designing programs and information to reduce substance misuse and abuse.
• Interacting productively within a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic case management services.
• Meeting regularly with members and coaching them in developing age-appropriate social skills.
• Assisting in establishing members' eligibility for Medi-Cal or other benefits and advocating for continuation of benefits.
• Participating in diagnostic and evaluative staff conferences for cooperative planning and treatment.
• Interviewing members to screen, and determine their service needs, including evaluating risk factors.
• Providing case coordination and treatment planning and evaluation.
• Speaking to public and/or agency groups to provide education that reduces stigma.
• Supporting MH program compliance with BHRS, State, & Federal regulations, reviews and corrective actions by reviewing, monitoring, tracking, etc.
• Supporting MH quality services program with BHRS, State, & Federal standards and requirements.

Minimum qualifications:

Behavioral Health Specialist I -Mental Health View the job description for a full list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Behavioral Health Specialist II - Mental Health View the job description for a full list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE All applicants must possess a BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST 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.

PATTERN III

• Bachelors 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.

Desirable qualifications:

• Current or previous consumer of service(s) through Behavioral Health and Recovery Services;
• An immediate family member of an individual who previously or currently receives services through Behavioral Health and Recovery Services;
• Individuals/family members who have lived experience with a severe mental health diagnosis or substance use disorder

Application and selection procedures:

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:

• 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:

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Community & Health Services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.

Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification.

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