Behavioral Health Clinician I

Behavioral Health Clinician I

Salary

$72,626.03 - $89,320.86 Annually

Location

Madera County, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Department

Behavioral Health Services

Opening Date

09/08/2026

Closing Date

9/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

PROFS

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Under general supervision, provides behavioral health assessments, intervention, and recovery services to clients and their families; develops treatment plans and performs psychotherapeutic counseling, routine and emergency assessment, crisis intervention, risk assessment, and related treatment services; coordinates client care and provides consultation to caseworkers, internal staff, external agencies, and relevant service providers; and performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision from the Clinical Supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Examples of Duties

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed in various divisions/departments. Types of work performed shall be within the scope and licensure (if required) for the classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law. Some dutiesmay be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I level) positions.

• Provides individual, group, and family interventions, rehabilitation, and treatment services including counseling, therapy, and referral and linkage to community services to a variety of clients.
• Receives referrals from various County departments and programs; conducts assessments to determine criteria eligibility for therapeutic services; contacts referrals to provide information related to available services.
• Within scope of authority, assesses, diagnoses, and treats a variety of clients with behavioral health and/or co-occurring disorders; collaborates with clients and creates individualized treatment plans according to client's needs and circumstances.
• Initiates and conducts individual, group, and family counseling and biopsychosocial therapy sessions utilizing a variety of techniques and modalities; coordinates case management services in the office and in the field.
• Performs routine and emergency intake evaluations according to department procedure; completes appropriate forms and documents relating to the intake process; and prepares medical and demographic case history for use in diagnosis.
• Assists clients and family members in understanding behavioral health diagnosis, contributing factors/causes, effects, prognosis, rehabilitation, and treatment.
• Works with clients to address stressors and barriers to treatment and/or social functioning; identifies and focuses on client strengths and personal resources to effectively engage and treat client; attends meetings with schools and/or other external agencies as part of the client's behavioral health support team.
• Performs crisis intervention; evaluates individuals to identify level of stable behavior; provides support and assistance in problem resolution; conducts comprehensive risk assessments and coordinates or arranges for the provision of appropriate care services.
• As a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, provides critical clinical input related to client diagnosis and recommended treatment; presents findings and clinical observations; and makes recommendations for additional services.
• Maintains and submits accurate, detailed, and thorough documentation, case records, and notes of all billable and non-billable activities and services related to client care; completes necessary documentation for billing purposes.
• Provides resources and referrals to address basic needs and other barriers to wellness and recovery including food, housing, clothing, transportation, and other financial resources.
• Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, case conferences, joint team meetings, in-service trainings, and other staff development activities; collaborates with a variety of internal and external departments, agencies, service providers, and client/family support network to address needs and coordinate services.
• Observes and complies with County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive behavioral health program which encompasses adult, juvenile, and children's services.
• Principles, methods, and techniques of clinical diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of behavioral health disorders and illness.
• Principles, procedures, techniques, and trends of clinical and casework services, counseling, and treatment.
• Social aspects and characteristics of behavioral and emotional disturbances.
• Principles of behavioral health education.
• Principles and practices of clinical casework.
• Theories and causes of substance abuse.
• A wide variety of therapeutic and treatment approaches for persons with behavioral and emotional problems.
• Scope, availability, and activities of community resources, including other behavioral health and social service agencies.
• Current trends in mental hygiene, behavioral health, public health, and social services, including state and federal programs in these areas.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Conflict resolution techniques.
• Principles and practices of recordkeeping, case files, and records management.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Provide professional behavioral health clinical intervention, recovery, and case coordination services to a variety of clients.??
• Conduct individual, group, and family counseling/therapy sessions to clinically assess, diagnose, and treat clients.??
• Develop and implement treatment plans and monitor the progress of clients toward established goals.??
• Understand and apply criteria for various diagnoses.??
• Utilize evidence-based interventions.??
• Analyze client behavior and apply appropriate treatment techniques in a coordinated care, social rehabilitation, and recovery model focused environment.?
• Develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of clients to secure pertinent information and to effectively deliver services.?
• Understand scope of authority in making independent decisions.?
• Coordinate with internal and external treatment team members.??
• Effectively utilize community resources to assist clients.?
• Listen attentively to clients and address their needs and issues fairly and professionally.??
• Work well with and provide services to a variety of clients in various stages of behavioral health illness/treatment; maintain appropriate boundaries, identify and nurture strengths, and support their right to make independent decisions as appropriate.??
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to the work performed.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in counseling, social work, psychology, marriage and family counseling, or a closely related field.
• No experience required.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, valid registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), to be maintained throughout employment.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Environmental Conditions

Employees predominately work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, vermin and pests, hazardous substances, infectious diseases, and fumes. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Working Conditions

Some positions require attendance at meetings outside of regular working hours.

Application Process

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training and experience relative to the required knowledge and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only the most qualified applicants, who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the examination process which may be administered either by a written examination, oral examination, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more assessment. Of those passing the initial assessment, only the top 15 will move forward to the appraisal panel. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section. If only one assessment is conducted, the weight for that assessment will be 100%.

THE ASSESSMENT (100%) IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2026.

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/maderacountyca. All job postings are also included via the TDD phone at 559-675-8970 and the 24-hour job line at 559-675-8685. Please attach to your application a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded), licenses, certificates or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.

Those applicants claiming veterans preference must submit a copy of their DD-214 form along with the application. Candidates who attain ranking on an eligible list and are involuntarily called to active duty may be considered for eligibility reinstatement upon their return.

Placement on Eligible List:

The Civil Service Commission may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the examination process. If two or more candidates have the same total final grade on an examination, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in that portion of the examination which has the greatest weight. In case this fails to break the tie, they shall be ranked in the order of filing applications.

Candidates who are successful in all phases of the examination process will be placed on an eligible list, in rank order based on a calculation of their total score from the examination process. Eligible lists are generally active for a minimum of six (6) months up to a maximum of two (2) years. The duration of the eligible list is determined by Civil Service Commission Rules.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:

As a condition of employment with the County of Madera, a candidate must submit to a Tuberculosis (TB) screening, and related follow up testing as necessary. Designated classifications* are also subject to a medical examination, which includes a review of medical history. TB screenings and medical exams are administered by the Madera County Public Health Department and/or health care professional designated by the County.

Designated classifications required to submit to an employment medical examination generally include those that are physical in nature or as may be required by law. If you have any questions about the pre-employment requirements, please contact the Department of Human Resources at (559) 675-7705 orhr@maderacounty.com.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT:

You will be required to submit verification of your identity and citizenship or legal right to work in the United States at the time of and as a condition of an offer of employment.

As a condition of employment, all prospective employees shall be required to be fingerprinted.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Madera County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, political affiliation, or any other basis protected by Federal or State law.

Benefits of employment with the County of Madera include:

• 14 paid holidays per year;
• 1 sick leave day per month (unlimited accrual);
• 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year, vacation accrual increasing thereafter with years of service (45 days maximum accrual);
• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), with an enhanced 2.7% @ 55 retirement benefit formula (based on the highest 12 months with the employee paying 8% toward the retirement cost) for those individuals with current or prior qualifying public sector service that establishes eligibility as a "classic member" pursuant to the provisions of Californias 2013 Pension Reform Act (Act) and CalPERS Regulations. Individuals with no current or prior qualifying public sector service, and who are defined as new members or new employees under the Act, will be eligible for the 2% @ 62 retirement benefit formula (based on the average compensation over 36 consecutive months with the employee paying 7.75% toward the retirement cost);
• County participates in the Public Employees Retirement System Health Benefit Program and for certain selected health plans, the County pays 95% of health insurance premium for employee and 50% for either two-party or dependent coverage;
• Additional salary increases after 10, 15, and 20 years of service.

01

Have you graduated from an accredited graduate school with a masters degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in counseling, social work, psychology, marriage and family counseling, or a closely related field? (Applicant must attach transcripts)

• Yes
• No

02

This position requires registration with the California State Board of Behavior Sciences as an Associate or Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), or an Associate or Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC), or obtain registration within ninety (90) days from the date of appointment. Are you registered with the California State Board of Behavior Sciences as a MFT, ASW, PCC, or will you be able to obtain registration within ninety (90) days from the date of appointment? Note: Employees who do not obtain an appropriate registration will be terminated or demoted to an appropriate lower position, if one is available.

• Yes
• No

03

I understand that I must indicate the specific time period and distinct job title in the applications work experience section. I understand that I am required to describe, in detail, my qualifying experience on my application.

• Yes, I understand.

Required Question

Employer County of Madera

Address 200 W. 4th Street

Madera, California, 93637

Phone 559.675.7705

Website http://www.maderacounty.com