Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Salary : $257,400.00 - $344,947.20 Annually
Location : All Locations - San Luis Obispo County, CA
Job Type: Permanent - Hourly
Job Number: 0926KS-000522-01
Department: Health Agency
Division: Health Agency - Behavioral Health
Opening Date: 09/21/2026


About the Position
San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health is seeking a physician (MD/DO) specializing in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to provide psychiatric assessment, medication management, and integrated behavioral health care for children and adolescents with mental health conditions, including youth with co-occurring substance use disorders.

The Child/Adolescent Prescriber is an integral member of a multidisciplinary behavioral health team and works collaboratively with licensed psychiatric technicians, therapists, behavioral health clinicians, substance use disorder counselors, case managers, primary care providers, schools, families, and other community partners.

The position emphasizes accessible, evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and patient- and family-centered care, with particular attention to youth with complex presentations, co-occurring disorders, and barriers to accessing traditional psychiatric services.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations of children and adolescents, including assessment of psychiatric, developmental, medical, family, social, trauma, and substance-use factors.
• Diagnose and treat common and complex childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and behavioral disorders.
• Provide evidence-based psychopharmacologic treatment and ongoing medication management, including monitoring effectiveness, adverse effects, adherence, and relevant laboratory or physical health parameters.
• Assess youth for alcohol, cannabis, opioid, stimulant, nicotine, and other substance use and identify co-occurring substance use disorders when present.
• Integrate mental health and substance use treatment rather than requiring youth and families to navigate separate systems of care whenever clinically appropriate.
• Collaborate closely with therapists, counselors, psychiatric technicians, and other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team to develop and update individualized treatment plans.
• Engage parents, caregivers, and youth in shared decision-making while appropriately balancing adolescent confidentiality, family involvement, safety, and developmental needs.
• Assess suicide risk, self-harm, aggression, psychosis, substance-related risk, and other safety concerns and determine when crisis intervention or a higher level of care is indicated.
• Coordinate with primary care, schools, hospitals, residential programs, child welfare, juvenile justice, and other community providers when clinically appropriate.
• Provide consultation and clinical guidance to other members of the treatment team regarding diagnosis, medications, psychiatric symptoms, and co-occurring conditions.
• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation consistent with County, Medi-Cal, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case consultation, quality improvement, and efforts to improve access and continuity of behavioral health care for youth throughout San Luis Obispo County.

to view a detailed job description
This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County.

Note: This is a continuous recruitment and will remain open until it is filled; however, the posting can close at any time without notice, therefore, prompt application is encouraged

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a collaborative, flexible, and clinically strong Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary public behavioral health system and is comfortable caring for youth with complex psychiatric and psychosocial needs.

The successful candidate will have:

• An MD or DO degree and an active or eligible California physician license.
• Completion of an accredited psychiatry residency and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship.
• Board certification or board eligibility in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
• Experience evaluating and treating a broad range of psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents.
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based pediatric psychopharmacology and appropriate monitoring of psychiatric medications.
• Comfort assessing substance use and co-occurring substance use disorders in adolescents, including cannabis, alcohol, nicotine, opioids, stimulants, and emerging substances.
• Experience working or an openness to learn how to work with youth with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, or a strong interest in developing expertise in integrated co-occurring care.
• Ability to determine appropriate treatment intensity and recognize when a youth requires crisis, inpatient, residential, substance use, or other higher-level services.
• Experience working collaboratively with therapists, counselors, nursing/medication support staff, primary care providers, families, and community partners.
• Strong communication skills and an ability to engage adolescents and families using a respectful, developmentally appropriate, nonjudgmental approach.
• Familiarity with motivational interviewing, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and shared decision-making.
• An understanding that engagement and retention in treatment are important clinical goals, particularly for youth who may have difficulty consistently accessing or participating in care.
• Comfort practicing in a team-based environment in which psychiatric treatment is integrated with therapy, case management, substance use treatment, family interventions, and other supports.
• Sound clinical judgment, particularly around suicide risk, substance use, medication safety, and decisions regarding level of care.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

NOTE: Private Patients: The Staff Psychiatrist is not authorized to engage in any private practice on County premises or to conduct private business during assigned work hours, unless specifically authorized by separate written approval of the Board of Supervisors.
Licenses and Certificates
Possession of a valid California license as a physician and surgeon at the time of appointment; and evidence of having completed three years of graduate training in psychiatry in a program approved by the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association.

Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid CALIFORNIA driver's license will be required at the time of appointment.

How to Apply
Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online. Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.
An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.
Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io. Confidential inquiries are welcome.
For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at

Your attached resume will not substitute for the completion of the application. Please complete all required fields and supplemental questions.

Be advised that while use of AI is common practice, we want to see your individual style and critical thinking skills in your answers to the supplemental questions.
Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call View phone number on click.appcast.io for assistance or e-mail View email address on click.appcast.io for more information.

Veteran's Preference Points
If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran's credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.
Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.


In general, temporary employees are not eligible for County-sponsored benefits and may have limited benefit options available to them. For more information on benefit eligibility, please e-mail .

For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated Benefits-At-A-Glance webpage (click here for link) .

Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation plan with up to $500 per year match (depending on bargaining unit)
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies
- Flexible work schedule options
- Rideshare commuter benefits
- Pet Insurance

The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.


Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.


To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria),


Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.


Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:


- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings


Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.


Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by to get a loan for the down payment.
01


Do you possess a valid California license to practice as a physician and surgeon?

• Yes
• No

02


Have you completed three years of graduate training in psychiatry in a program approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and can you provide documentation verifying completion of this training?

• Yes
• No

03


Please describe your experience diagnosing and treating common and complex childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and behavioral disorder.
04


Please describe your experience conducting comprehensive psychiatric evaluations of children and adolescents, including assessment of psychiatric, developmental, medical, family, social, trauma, and substance-use factors
Required Question