Mental Health Specialist

Salary : $51,312.00 - $84,156.00 Annually
Location : Colusa, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00046
Department: Behavioral Health
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt


Definition & Distinguishing Characteristics
The Department of Behavioral Health Services is seeking a dynamic Mental Health Specialist who is ready to make a difference in our community.

We are a community-based, outpatient behavioral health clinic dedicated to serving our most vulnerable populations. Our leadership team is comprised of dynamic, team-oriented leaders who support staff success with the understanding that successful team members equal outstanding client care.


We want to see our community members become successful in reaching their goals, and we feel fortunate to be in a position to support them in this effort. So be sure to check on whether you're aligned with our Department values and culture. If you think you can see yourself delivering excellent customer service as a member of the Behavioral Health team, see the summary below & then check out the job description page: HERE

There is one position available within the Department of Behavioral Health Services. This recruitment will be used to fill a current vacancy and establish an eligibility list to fill other openings without reposting.

What's this Job All About?
Under the direction of the Clinical Program Manager, this position provides clinical services to individuals diagnosed with mental health and/or substance use disorders. Services include facilitating individual and group sessions focused on developing skills that promote improved communication, social functioning, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and other areas that support recovery and overall well-being. Interventions may also include behavior modification strategies and harm reduction approaches to enhance clients' daily functioning and treatment outcomes.

This position collaborates closely with clients' therapists and treatment team to monitor progress toward individualized treatment goals and ensure coordinated, client-centered care. Responsibilities also include assisting with the collection of biopsychosocial information during the intake and assessment process, participating in treatment planning, and responding to behavioral health crises under the clinical supervision and guidance of a Clinical Program Manager.
We take self-care seriously and believe that a healthy work-life balance is essential to doing our best work and providing exceptional care to our community. We support our employees' professional and personal growth through training opportunities and team-building activities designed to strengthen collaboration, build skills, and foster a positive work environment. Embracing the Colusa County Work Culture Our Core Values are more than just words; they're a way of life here in the Behavioral Health Department. We know that departments with a strong culture & a higher purpose perform better in the long run.

Do our values speak to you?

• Deliver WOW Through Service to Others & Our Community
• Embrace and Drive Change
• Be Adventurous, Creative, Open-Minded
• Pursue Growth and Learning
• Build Open and Honest Relationships with Communication
• Foster a Positive Team and Family Spirit
• Be Passionate and Determined
• Be Humble and Kind

What are the benefits?

• A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve.
• A caring, empathetic, & fun work family that you will be welcomed into - where we work hard, but play hard, too!
• A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
• Competitive salary commensurate with education & experience
• A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members) - As long as you work for 5 years and vest in the CalPERS system, you will receive a retirement paycheck for the rest of your life.
• Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
• Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff.
• 457 Deferred Compensation.
• PAID vacation, PAID holidays (15), and PAID leave if you get sick.
• Vacation Parity - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County. A public agency includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities. To learn more about vacation parity, please see our benefit summary.

COME WORK FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUSA: WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU!

Supervision & Examples of Duties


Under the direction of the Director of Behavioral Health or designee, the Mental Health Specialist receives technical and functional supervision from the Clinical Program Manager and general supervision from the Clinical Supervisor.

Qualifications
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be to meet one of the following education and experience patterns, consistent with the minimum qualifications for a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist established in the California Code of Regulations Title IX, §630.
OPTION 1:
Training:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field.
Experience:
Four years of experience in a behavioral health setting.
OPTION 2:
Training:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field, and completion of one year of graduate-level coursework in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field.
Experience:
Three years of experience in a behavioral health setting.
OPTION 3:
Training:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field, and completion of two years of graduate-level coursework in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field.
Experience:
Two years of experience in a behavioral health setting.
OPTION 4:
Training:
Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college with major course work in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field.
Experience:
Six years of experience in a behavioral health setting, including at least two years of experience obtained after completion of the Associate's degree.
Qualifying experience must have been obtained in a behavioral health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment. Qualifying behavioral health settings include, but are not limited to, behavioral health treatment, rehabilitation, psychiatric, or similar settings.
License or Certificate (Required for All Options):
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License.

Supplemental Information


The salary range above consists of 15 steps. Steps 1-6 are annual merit steps with approximately 5% difference between each step, based on successful performance. Steps 7-15 are additional merit steps, requiring 2 years of satisfactory performance at the previous step. Steps 7-14 provide 2.5% increases, while Step 15 offers a 5% increase. The final salary offered will depend on the applicant's experience and qualifications, ranging from steps 1 to 15.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Thank you for your interest in employment with the County of Colusa.


You must demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications of the position. Please be detailed in the job duties of your work history to clearly demonstrate the duties that are relevant to the position in which you are applying.

All sections of the application MUST be completed. Required documents such as a resume, cover letter, references, and any position-specific certifications must be attached and are not accepted in place of completing the application. Blank applications that reference "see resume" will be disqualified. As your resume and supplemental materials will not be considered as part of the initial screening process.

Be sure to review your application prior to submission. No new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.

Application materials are the property of the County of Colusa and will not be returned.

It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number and email address. Failure to do so may result in a missed notification of exams or interviews.

The minimum qualifications as stated in this job announcement represent only the basic requirements of the position. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding this job announcement or the application process:

For a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the NEOGOV application process, visit


Email the Human Resources Department at or call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Addtional Information:

Colusa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

ALL Colusa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers . This means that when Colusa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, power outage, flood, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (CA Govt Code § 3102). As a designated Disaster Worker, you will be required to complete training and may be required report for work during emergencies.

Colusa County does not reimburse travel expenses for employment applications.

The county participates in E-Verify.

Retirees may be subject to hiring restrictions according to Government Code Section 21221 (h) and 21224 for California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.
Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package. For a summary of benefits, please click here: 2026 Benefit Summary
01


Do you have a valid California driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02


Please select the option below that best describes how your education and experience meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Select one option only and ensure that your response accurately reflects your qualifications. Please select Option 1, Option 2, Option 3, Option 4, or N/A or Other.

• Option 1: I possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field and have at least four years of experience in a behavioral health setting.
• Option 2: I possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field, have completed one year of graduate-level coursework in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field, and have at least three years of experience in a behavioral health setting.
• Option 3: I possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field, have completed two years of graduate-level coursework in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field, and have at least two years of experience in a behavioral health setting.
• Option 4: I possess an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college with major coursework in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field and have at least six years of experience in a behavioral health setting, including at least two years of experience obtained after completion of the Associate's degree.
• N/A or Other: None of the options above accurately describe my education and/or experience.

03


Do you have experience providing treatment or supportive services to individuals with substance use disorders?

• Yes
• No

Required Question