Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I/II-Unlicensed

Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I/II-Unlicensed

Salary

$88,904.97 - $113,858.96 Annually

Location

Visalia and Porterville, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

06877

Department

HHSA

Opening Date

10/26/2026

Closing Date

11/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency is recruiting to fill Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I/II - Unlicensed vacancies within the Behavioral Health Branch. Direction is provided by a Behavioral Health or Human Services Clinical Supervisor, Manager, or a higher-level management position within the Agency. This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill immediate and future vacancies throughout Tulare Countys Behavioral Health and Human Services Branches.

Incumbents of this class carry a caseload requiring professional competency in applying evidence-based practices. Successful candidates will know the principles and techniques of interviewing, counseling, psychotherapy, and treatment modalities. The Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I - Unlicensed classification is considered to be in training status as an associate and may reasonably expect to be promoted to Behavioral Health Associate Clinician II - Unlicensed, upon completion of the clinical hour requirements. The successful candidate will work with complex casework in social service and mental health areas, respond to crisis, complete assessments, provide triage, and follow through with appropriate treatments which can include clinical interventions, referrals and risk assessment to aid in determining need for psychiatric hospitalizations. In accordance with State of California laws and regulations, the candidate will identify adults and children with mental, emotional, and/or substance use disorders. The selected candidate will also know the laws, rules, and regulations affecting the work of a mental health and public social service agency. Incumbents in this classification may carry an ongoing caseload of mental health clients and provide appropriate, evidence-based treatment and associated documentation to help clients work toward wellness and recovery.

Incumbents in the Behavioral Health Branch will work with complex casework in various programs depending on current vacancies. These programs may include clinics, criminal justice, Alcohol and Other Drugs, administration, homeless outreach, Integrated Services, childrens services, and other mental health settings. The ideal candidate must work well within a team setting and have a wealth of therapeutic skills to help problem-solve and make immediate decisions about challenging therapeutic cases. The Tulare County Behavioral Health Branch has two adult mental health clinics in Visalia and Porterville and one childrens clinic in Porterville. The Behavioral Health Branch works with community-based providers to ensure mental health services are available throughout the county.

Candidates accepting one of these positions may qualify to apply for loan repayment of up to $30,000 for a two-year work commitment and providing direct client care in a qualified facility. For more information on the loan repayment program, visit https://hcai.ca.gov/loans-scholarships-grants/loan-repayment/lmhspep/.

Typical Duties

Key Responsibilities

• Perform initial assessments of clients to evaluate psycho-social dysfunctions and to determine diagnosis and prognosis.
• Develop a Problem List for consumers in areas they believe improvement will be beneficial to improve or ameliorate Mental Health symptoms and challenges in life functioning.
• Provide ongoing psychotherapy for clients on an individual and/or group basis; effectively utilize clinical measurement tools and data; determine when to discontinue counseling with client.
• Manage a caseload involving casework of an advanced nature.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels, as well as with other agencies, county departments, and the public.
• Perform crisis intervention services in clinics, over the phone, or in the field as assigned; determine triage level and refer for appropriate services.
• May perform in-home or field crisis intervention or treatment services.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet the qualifications listed below by the application deadline.

• A masters degree in one of the following areas: social work; marriage, family, therapy; psychology; clinical psychology; or counseling psychology; obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

License/Certificate:

Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I - Unlicensed:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Intern number as issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). Proof of registration application must be submitted within 30 days from the date of hire into this classification.
• Must possess current and active registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist as issued by the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences, within 120 days from the date of hire into this classification.

Behavioral Health Associate Clinician II - Unlicensed:

In addition to the necessary employment standards for Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I:

• Letter of clinical hour completion towards a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license as issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Applications will be accepted for graduate students who can provide proof they are within 90 days of completion of a masters degree required for the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences registration as noted above. No person shall be hired without confirmation of completing the required masters degree.
• Registration with the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as noted above is a condition of employment in this classification. Proof of BBS Registration application must be provided within 30 days from the date of hire into this classification. Failure to satisfy this requirement will result in separation from County employment.
• Permanent status may not be obtained in this classification. Incumbents must maintain current registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at all times, and within two years of appointment to the Behavioral Health Associate Clinician II-Unlicensed classification must obtain Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

Desirable Qualifications for Behavioral Health

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a masters degree in Behavioral Science, Social Science, Liberal Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related field
• Knowledge of federal Medicaid and state Medi-Cal regulations pertaining to clinical licensing, provider site certification, service documentation, and billing
• Experience and knowledge of working with special populations such as Criminal Justice, Sevier Mental Illness (SMI), Unhoused or others.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

• Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.
• If in a driving position, candidates must be able to obtain and retain a valid California drivers license.

Student Loan Forgiveness

• This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007, and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information, you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

PLEASE NOTE: ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 4

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:

2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)

3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)

4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)

5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)

Limit of 300 hours.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 60 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Career Incentive Pay

Employees who have completed five (5) or more Years of Service with Tulare County and meet the eligibility criteria described in Administrative Regulation - 52, earn additional pay according to the schedule below.

Years of Service

% Increase

Total

5

3%

3%

10

2%

5%

15

3%

8%

20

2%

10%

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare Countys benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

01

Describe your experience working with individuals with mental health symptoms (adults and children).

02

Describe your experience working with special populations such as Criminal Justice, Child Welfare Services, Unhoused Individuals, or those with severe Mental Illness.

03

Have you applied for an ACSW, LCSW, LMFT, or AMFT Intern number as issued by the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences?

• Yes
• No

04

Please describe the following: components of a risk assessment related to signs of abuse, and signs of neglect.

05

Describe your experience doing community outreach and/or providing supportive services to clients or family members outside of an office setting.

06

Do you have a letter of clinical hour completion towards a Marriage, Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker license as issued by the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences?

• Yes
• No

07

Would you like to be considered for the Behavioral Health Branch, CWS-Human Services Branch, or Both?

• Behavioral Health Branch
• CWS-Human Services Branch
• BOTH

Required Question

Employer County of Tulare

Address 2500 W Burrel Avenue

Visalia, California, 93291

Phone (559) 636-4900

Website http://www.tularecounty.ca.gov