Mental Health Counselor

The Position

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 5/26/26, 6/30/26, 7/28/26, 8/25/26, 9/29/26, 10/27/26, 11/24/26, 12/29/26. For more information, see the Mental Health Counselor Brochure. The following table illustrates the salary range for this position should you be assigned to one of the programs that receives a differential:

Program - Differential Amount - Combined Salary

Community Support Team - 5% - $93,747.02 - $108,523.80

Homeless Engagement and Response Team (In the Field/Encampments) - 5% - $93,747.02 - $108,523.80

Mental Health Treatment Center - 7.5% - $95,979.10 - $111,107.70

Community Wellness Response Team - 10% - $98,211.17 - $113,691.60

Note: Vacancies may be permanent or intermittent on-call (per-diem). Shift differential may be available in addition to base salary. PM (swing) shift - 7.5%. NOC (grave) - 10%. Under direction, the Mental Health Counselor provides professional mental health treatment services for severe mental disorders in in-patient or out patient settings, including assessment, diagnosis, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, non-medical psychotherapy, and initiation of involuntary holds; to prepare reports and maintain records related to patient or client services; and to perform related duties as assigned.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of principles and techniques of clinical interviewing, diagnosis, and assessment; the most current version of DSM; theories, principles and techniques of individual and group psychotherapy; psychological, physical and social aspects of mental disorders, chemical dependency, and recovery; theories of human behavior and personality and techniques of evaluating, and modifying human behavior; planning, development and implementation of comprehensive treatment plans; Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations governing mental health treatment; basic techniques of training; referral sources and community resources. Ability to conduct accurate and thorough assessments of client status, history, danger to self and others, progress, chemical dependency, and related mental health information; prepare diagnoses and evaluations of mental disorders; conduct effective professional clinical interviews; formulate, implement, and monitor treatment plans; conduct group and individual psychotherapy; respond appropriately in crisis situations; understand, interpret and apply complex mental-health technical materials and applicable laws, codes and regulations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, staff, and other agencies; prepare effective written reports; maintain accurate records; communicate effectively in oral and written form; provide effective training, guidance and consultation to other staff; assist in physically controlling and/or restraining violent and/or combative patients.

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications Either: A Master's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a mental health related field such as psychology, counseling, social work, or psychiatric nursing. Or: Current enrollment in the final semester of a master's program at an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree in a mental health related field such as psychology, counseling, social work, or psychiatric nursing. NOTE: Failure to submit proof of completion of master's degree within six months of appointment may be cause for release from probation or discipline in accordance with Civil Service Commission Rules. Note: Persons who were employed by the Sacramento County Health Department, held permanent or probationary status in Sacramento County Civil Service, and were engaged in the direct delivery of mental health service in the Mental Health or Alcohol Division on July 24, 1980, may substitute their mental health experience for the required education on a year-for-year basis. Employees qualifying under this provision must have a combined minimum of six years of acceptable experience and/or education in a mental health field, such as psychology, counseling, social work, rehabilitation counseling, public health, pastoral counseling, occupational therapy, special education, or psychiatric nursing. If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements. Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. License Requirements: Note: Failure to obtain and/or maintain such required license(s) may be cause for disciplinary action in accordance with Civil Service Commission rules. Selected positions require possession of a valid Class C California Driver License, or the ability to arrange for field travel, at the time of appointment. Current certification of training in CPR is required within 6 months of employment for positions assigned to the Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment Center. Working Conditions: Duties require exposure to patients who may be hostile, violent, mentally ill, and/or who may have infectious diseases. Positions assigned to the Mental Health Treatment Center work shifts and holidays. Other Special Requirements Some positions in these classes may require the ability to communicate fluently in a language other than English. The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

Application and Testing Information

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date. Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the cut-off date. Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. All candidates meeting the minimum qualifications by the cut-off date will have their Supplemental Questionnaire scored in the Formula Rate Examination. This examination will evaluate the relevance, level, recency, progression and quality of candidate's education, training and experience. The score from the Formula Rate Examination will determine the ranking on the eligible/employment list for this job.