Licensed Mental Health

Licensed Mental Health Clinician

The County of San Diego is currently accepting applications for the position of Licensed Mental Health Clinician. Interested candidates are encouraged to immediately apply. Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis. This position is eligible for hire at $109,179.20 annually. Future salary increases are available as follows:

June 2026 – 4.27% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 0.77% Market Adjustment Increase)

June 2027 – 3.77% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-Board + 0.77% Market Adjustment Increase)

The following additional pay incentives and premiums are available:

• 4% Licensed Mental Health Clinician Classification Premium (applied to time worked)
• 5% Location Premium for San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital
• May be eligible for relocation allowance up to $8,000.

The County of San Diego has an excellent opportunity for Licensed Mental Health Clinicians to provide behavioral/mental health services such as case consultation, individual/group therapy, intake screening, assessment, case management, care coordination, entitlements, diagnose and development of treatment plans, investigations involving adults and minors who are reported to be gravely disabled due to mental illness, and establish/re-establish involuntary mental health treatment through conservatorship. Incumbents may work in a variety of settings including hospital, juvenile detention facilities, outpatient clinics, case management, care coordination, day treatment, linkage to clinical care, discharge planning from a jail setting, and/or community outreach programs. Incumbents may work weekends, evening hours, and possibility for overtime. The hiring departments have numerous immediate vacancies. Qualified applicants will be invited to schedule an interview time and, if interviewing in-person, should expect to spend at least two hours for the interview and background process. Additional information will be provided prior to the interview. Interview times will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, so if you are contacted for an interview, please schedule as soon as possible. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical exam approximately 2-3 business days after the interview date. The current vacancies are with Behavioral Health Services (BHS), Juvenile Forensics, Aging and Independence Services (AIS) Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator, the Office of the Public Defender, and Child and Family Well-Being; however, the list established from this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies in other divisions/departments.

Behavioral Health Clinics We welcome you to join the outpatient Behavioral Health Center (BHC) team. If you enjoy helping others in a team oriented, fast paced environment; appreciate challenging and rewarding work with a variety of client populations; and are passionate about serving our community, then the BHC team is for you! In addition to being part of a dynamic team, the County offers generous benefits and employment may qualify you for student loan forgiveness. Immediate openings – apply today to make a difference!

Juvenile Forensics The Juvenile Forensic Services S.T.A.T. Team provides essential services to youth on Probation, in detention facilities, and within the community. From crisis intervention and assessments to psychiatric evaluations, medication follow-up, and therapeutic support, we address the diverse needs of our young clients. Our primary mission is to provide crucial mental health services, aiding youth during their detention and facilitating a smooth transition back into the community post-release. With a focus on promoting recovery and resilience, our strength-based approach, family focus orientation, and culturally sensitive approach, enables us to be impactful, therapeutic, and create opportunities for the youth to grow. Join a collaborative environment with highly trained Psychologists, Psychiatrists, LCSWs, and MFTs, working in tandem with the San Diego County Probation Department to support youth needs. Make a meaningful impact on youth mental health with Juvenile Forensic Services S.T.A.T. Team!

AIS - Public Administrator/Public Guardian/Public Conservator (PA/PG/PC) PA/PG/PC conducts investigations involving adults and minors who are reported to be gravely disabled due to mental illness, pursuant to the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act. The Licensed Mental Health Clinician for PA/PG/PC will be responsible for interpreting and applying the LPS Act regarding conservatorship for persons who are gravely disabled and suffering from mental disorders; reviewing and assigning referrals for conservatorship; conducting investigations in compliance with the LPS Act; coordinating and consenting to involuntary mental health and/or medical care, treatment, and placement for clients; coordinating with the Superior Court, County Counsel, and the Public Defender related to LPS legal matters; and acting on behalf of the Public Conservator.

Office of the Public Defender Incumbents working for the Office of the Public Defender will work collaboratively with Deputy Public Defenders to develop treatment and release plans for a diverse group of clients in custody.

Child and Family Well-Being The Licensed Mental Health Clinician reports to the Behavioral Health Program Coordinator for Child and Family Well-Being and is responsible for the implementation and delivery of the Comprehensive Secondary Traumatic Stress program within each region/program. Additional responsibilities include providing ongoing support and education to Child and Family Well-Being staff regarding secondary and vicarious trauma and resiliency; designing secondary traumatic stress and resiliency initiatives across the regions and programs; implementing group interventions aimed at mitigating secondary traumatic stress and increasing resiliency and providing individual interventions for secondary traumatic stress as requested; creating and delivering educational trainings related to secondary traumatic stress and resiliency; and remaining abreast of the current literature on secondary and vicarious trauma and child welfare workers.

Hiring Process The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below:

• Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Education and Experience

1. A master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in counseling, social work, or a closely related field or doctorate degree in psychology; AND,
2. At least two (2) years of full-time, post master's degree experience working in a mental health program providing counseling and crisis intervention, under clinical supervision; AND,
3. Licensure by the State of California as a LCSW, MFT, LPCC, or Clinical Psychologist.

Note: A National Provider Identification Number (NPI) is required at time of employment.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Condition of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.

Evaluation

Qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month eligible list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained on their employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you give will be scored using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job on a case-by-case basis.

The County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization.

Disaster Worker

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.