Mental Health Clinician I/II - Merced - Merced County, CA

Description

Salary : $74, $110,115.20 Annually
Location : Los Banos, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
Opening Date: 01/06/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 08 Public Services
Examples of Duties
Please Note: This recruitment is to establish a list to fill positions in Los Banos.
This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for both full time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay is $ $43.55 per hour.
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Meets with individuals and groups, including families, to assist them with understanding complex mental and emotional problems and with developing realistic plans to resolve them.
• Advises clients on the availability of community resources.
• Interprets clients' needs and problems, assisting them with environmental adjustment.
• Works with clients' relatives to secure cooperation in treatment programs.
• Utilizes highly developed professional skills in outpatient, in-patient, children's service, day care, rehabilitation and education programs.
• Assists with training other Mental Health Department staff in diagnosis and treatment methods.
• Develop and conduct training and informational presentations for other County staff, school districts, and community agencies.
• Serve as a consultant for other community agencies.
• Participate in the preparation and presentation of cases for consideration by other professional staff.
• May assume operational responsibility for a unit within a clinical program.
• May conduct or participate in professional research and special studies.
• Develop and implement treatment plans; develops and prepares extensive records, complex reports, progress notes, and correspondence.

Minimum Qualifications
MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN I
Education:
Graduation from an accredited institution with a Masters Degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related field.
Registration:
Must have registration from the appropriate California State Licensing Board at time of application.
Licensure:
Must pass the written and oral examination for licensure within (6) years from the date of hire as a Clinician I with a MFT Intern (IMF), Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASW) and Professional Clinical Counselor Intern (PCCI) from California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN II
Education:
Graduation from an accredited institution with a Masters Degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related field.
Experience:
Two (2) years of progressively responsible clinical experience in a mental health setting.
License:
Valid license issued by the State of California as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Marriage Family Therapist (MFT) or Clinical Psychologist .
Out of State Licensure:
Registration for a waiver of the State Professional License may be obtained for a maximum of three (3) years.
SOME POSITIONS IN THIS CLASSIFICATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS PURSUANT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECTION 2, B.
Essential Functions

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions.
• Respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Make presentations.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Regular attendance is an essential function

Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, techniques, and trends of clinical and casework services, counseling, and treatment.
• Laws, rules, and regulations governing mental health programs and services.
• Behavioral and environmental aspects of physical illness, emotional disturbance, and mental disability or retardation.
• Social aspects and characteristics of mental and emotional disturbances.
• DSM IV Diagnostic criteria for mental and emotional disturbances.
• Principles of mental health education.
• A wide variety of therapeutic and treatment approaches for persons with mental, emotional problems and drug and alcohol addictions.
• Scope, availability, and activities of community resources
• Current trends in mental health, public health, alcohol and drug services, and social services, including State and Federal programs in these areas.

Ability to:

• Perform counseling and psychotherapy of a complex nature with clients, families and groups.
• Develop and maintain the cooperation and effective working relationships of mentally and emotionally disturbed patients and families.
• Analyze case information and make sound clinical assessments, diagnosis and decisions regarding treatment methodologies, client progress, and case development.
• Maintain the confidentiality of client information.
• Interact with clients in a therapeutic effective manner.
• Participates as a member of a therapeutic team.
• Provide work direction, coordination, training, and consultation for new professional, paraprofessional staff and student interns.
• Organize data, develop information, and prepare clear, concise, comprehensive records and reports.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public co-workers and those contacted during the course of work.
• Ability to engage in a diverse population as demonstrated by sustaining a 65% direct service ratio.
• Problem solve and manage fiscal considerations impacting clientele as directly related to Mental Health insurance coverage.
• Manage, organize and sustain time efficiency.
• Write in a clear, concise and focused manner.

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
VACATION
10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).
SICK LEAVE
0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.
HOLIDAYS
Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.
INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

Dental Insurance - Delta Dental

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

Vision Insurance - VSP

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

DISABILITY INSURANCE
State Disability Insurance (SDI)
Merced County non-management employees are enrolled in the State Disability Insurance Program (SDI). Premiums for this insurance are paid by the employee. This insurance is administered solely by the State, who determines eligibility and payments. Benefit amounts are based on the quarter with the highest wages earned within the base period.
LIFE INSURANCE
County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Represented Employees $10,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee
RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pre-tax or post-tax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.
MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.
EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.
EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.
EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS
The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.
THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.
For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at
01
Are you currently registered and/or licensed with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences?

• Yes
• No

02
Can you effectively communicate in any of the following languages?

• Spanish
• Hmong
• None of the Above

03
This recruitment is being established to fill both full time and part time positions. Please indicate below all types of work you would be willing to accept:

• Full Time Only
• Part Time Only
• Either Full Time or Part Time

04
This recruitment is being established to fill positions in Los Banos. Are you willing to accept a position in Los Banos?

• Yes
• No