Crisis Services Manager

Crisis Services Manager

Salary

$126,102.08 - $160,940.00 Annually

Location

County of Santa Barbara - All locations, CA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

26-8141-04 (O/BW)

Department

Behavioral Wellness

Opening Date

08/12/2026

Closing Date

8/26/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The County of Santa Barbaras Behavioral Wellness Department is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time position for a Crisis Services Manager in Any location in Santa Barbara County, California. Although this position can be based in any location in Santa Barbara County it will have countywide responsibility and will require travel to Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria. The countywide classification is Health Services Manager II. This position is "At-Will" and is exempt from Civil Service provisions.

Crisis Services Manager Job Description

The Crisis Services Manager reports to the Branch Chief of Specialty Programs and serves as a member of the Behavioral Wellness Department management team. This role manages prevention, intervention, and treatment addressing alcohol and other drug-related problems, mental illness, and/or co-occurring conditions in the countys Crisis Services teams. Works in close collaboration with the Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF), the Crisis Stabilization unit, crisis residential facilities, oversees hospital discharges, monitors the utilization review for crisis services, and performs related duties as required. The Crisis Services Manager oversees programs countywide including Mobile Crisis, Co-Response teams, and the Access Line; as well as being the department's liaison with contractors overseeing our Crisis Stabilization Unit and Crisis Residential Treatment facilities.

About the Department

Founded in 1962, it is the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellness to promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services. The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers. The Department's decisions and service delivery are guided by the following values:

• Quality services for persons of all ages with mental illness and/or substance abuse
• Integrity in individual and organizational actions
• Dignity, respect, and compassion for all persons
• Active involvement of clients and families in treatment, recovery, and policy development
• Diversity throughout our organization and cultural competency in service delivery
• A system of care and recovery that is clearly defined and promotes recovery and resiliency
• Emphasis on prevention and treatment
• Teamwork among department employees in an atmosphere that is respectful and creative
• Continuous quality improvement in service delivery and administration
• Wellness modeled for our clients at all levels; i.e., staff who regularly arrive at the workplace healthy, energetic and resilient
• Safety for everyone

Benefits: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or click here to view more information. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Hiring Incentive: The Behavioral Wellness Department may offer and may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and, at the discretion of the CEO, can provide flexible relocation assistance, housing and student loan offsets, cash incentives, and/or vacation and sick leave pre-accruals in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization.

The Ideal Candidate will have the following:

• Extensive experience with the LPS Act and 5150/5585 codes and the ability to train and keep current with the industry standards.
• Proven track record with the management of mental health programs, especially those involving crisis evaluation, de-escalation and stabilization.
• Ability to manage and understand very difficult and stressful situations.
• Experience and skills in building and maintaining positive and collaborative relationships with community partners and providers, stakeholders, consumers and family members.
• Strong skills in collecting and analyzing data.
• Ability to respond effectively in adversarial situations.
• Ability to inspire, coach, develop, and empower staff.
• Experience leading change initiatives

Examples of Duties

These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

• Leads Crisis Services which consists of multiple major programs and/or functions that include addressing behavioral health crisis situations, assuring the delivery of high-quality emergency response services, crisis stabilization, safety planning and referrals/linkage.
• Sets program goals and measurements; and assumes accountability for program results.
• Makes broad policy decisions for the program/business, the work that is performed, and the expansion of services.
• Oversees the program budget development; balances fiscal priorities; prioritizes and allocates resources within the program; and coordinates resources with other programs or departments.
• Directly supervises the Behavioral Wellness Team Supervisors who have responsibility for Behavioral Wellness programs.
• Exercises high-level of independent action, sound judgment and decision making in support of overall departmental goals and assumes accountability for result.
• Serves on the departments management team and participates in the departments strategic planning processes.

Employment Standards

The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent of a bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university in public health administration, public administration, behavioral/mental health, or related field, AND
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a behavioral health field, mental health substance use, social work, etc. including at least two (2) years as a supervisor or manager; AND
• A valid California license in one of the following:
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
• Clinical Psychologist
• Psychiatrist

Note on Out-of-State Licensure: Applicants must possess valid California, clinical licensure in their profession at the time of application.

This position also requires the possession and maintenance of a valid California driver's license and the ability to meet automobile insurability requirements of the County or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as a condition of continued employment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of health care management in a public agency setting including public health, mental health and recovery, correctional health, and medical health including the interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Trends in public, mental, medical, and correctional health, and recovery education, treatment, prevention, and related issues.
• Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Management principles, practices, and techniques.
• Principles and practices of fiscal management and budgeting.
• Principles and practices of program planning and administration.
• Personnel management principles and practices, including employee supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.
• Principles and practices of group facilitation, conflict resolution, and consensus building.
• Principles and practices of procurement and contract administration.
• Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Business systems, equipment, and applications relevant to the area of assignment.
• Social, economic, cultural, and other issues impacting program area.

Ability to:

• Effectively administer public health, mental health and recovery, correctional health, and/or medical health programs and activities.
• Manage assigned operations/programs; ensure ongoing compliance with strategic objectives and performance measures.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Manage and evaluate assigned staff, including training, coaching, participating in the development of goals and strategic objectives, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands, and assigning/monitoring work.
• Analyze and evaluate operational programs, projects, and procedures.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise changes and improvements in public agency projects and studies.
• Manage budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation.
• Interpret, monitor, and report financial information and statistics.
• Oversee the implementation of, and adherence to, quality assurance activities and standards.
• Research, recommend, and implement industry trends, solutions, and best practices.
• Resolve complex problems within area of assignment.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of reports, grant proposals, documents, and presentations.
• Make presentations to stakeholders, elected officials, County leadership, and the public.
• Creates and provides informative presentations to stakeholders, elected officials, County leadership, and the public.
• Collaborate with program stakeholders, elected and appointed boards, the public, and internal leadership.
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals, including but not limited to coworkers, subordinate staff, supervisors, other managers, professional agencies, and the general public.

Supplemental Information

SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards. Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.
• Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss the required deadlines.

CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER:

• Live Scan and Background Check: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidates appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: August 26, 2026 by 4:59 PM. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

For recruitment related questions, please contact Natalie Alvarado- nalvarado@countyofsb.org

Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: https://www.sbcers.org/ and http://www.santabarbara457.com

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4012/Health-Benefits

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
• For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)

Miscellaneous Benefits

• County Paid Term Life Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Childcare and Employee Discounts
• Relocation Assistance may apply
• Flexible work schedule may apply
• For more information on all of these benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4013/24636/WorkLife-Benefits

Compensation Summary

• To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/3096/Managers---Unrepresented
• This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.

01

This position requires candidates to be willing to work at and travel to ALL LOCATIONS within the County (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc). I agree to these terms, regardless of the work location selected on my application.

• I understand

02

To be considered for this position your application must CLEARLY demonstrate how you meet the requirements under EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS on the Job Posting or you will not be considered for this position. Part of the employment standards are a valid California license in any of the following listed below. Please identify which license you currently possess:

• A valid California license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• A valid California license as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• A valid California license as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
• A valid California license as a Clinical Psychologist
• A valid California license as a Psychiatrist
• None - I do not meet the minimum requirements for this position

03

For the question above, please enter your valid license type (i.e. social worker, LMFT, LPCC, etc.) and number, as it will be verified.

If you do not have this, put N/A.

04

Please describe in detail your five years or more of progressively responsible professional in a behavioral health field, mental health substance use, or social work field. Include your employers name(s), duration of employment with this type of experience and overall responsibilities pertaining to this experience.

(Complete details should be listed on your application under Work History). Do not type "see resume" or "see application." If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."

05

Please describe in detail your two years or more of direct supervisory experience. Include in your response your employer/organization name(s), dates in the supervisory role, number of direct staff supervised, type of setting and your overall responsibilities.

(Complete details should be listed on your application under Work History). Do not type "see resume" or "see application." If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."

06

Describe in detail, how you have used data to improve individual and team performance. In your response, include your employer, title, and dates of employment. Do not type "see resume" or "see application." If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A".

07

How many years of experience do you possess working in partnership with law enforcement, hospitals, acute care psychiatric hospitals or ambulance services.

• More than 5 years experience
• 4+ to 5 years of experience
• 3+ to 4 years of experience
• 2 to 3 years of experience
• Less than 2 years of experience
• I do not have this experience

08

Please select ALL of the following age groups you have experience providing specific/targeted mental health services. (Full details of this experience should be on your completed application)

• Children ages 0-16
• TAY 16-25
• Adults 18-60
• Older adults 60+
• I do not have this experience

09

How many years of professional experience do you have performing crisis de-escalation, safety planning, referrals/linkages to services, and assessing for harm to self, others or the gravely disabled? (Full details of this experience/position(s) should be on your completed application)

• More than 5 years of experience
• 4+ to 5 years of experience
• 3+ to 4 years of experience
• 2 to 3 years of experience
• Less than 2 years of experience
• I do not have this experience

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Barbara

Address 1226 Anacapa Street

Santa Barbara, California, 93101

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty