Behavioral Health Specialist III - CARESline

About The Position For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section. The Riverside University Health System (RUHS) – Behavioral Health Department is currently recruiting for a Behavioral Health Specialist III position with the CARESline in Riverside. The Behavioral Health Specialist III position with the CARES Line requires managing a high volume of incoming member calls and inquiries related to mental health and substance use disorder services. Key responsibilities include conducting ASAM screenings, determining appropriate levels of care, assessing member needs, identifying and responding to crises, and coordinating treatment referrals and placements. Additional duties include gathering relevant medical, social, family, and behavioral health histories, collaborating with treatment providers and community agencies, maintaining accurate documentation, completing assigned callbacks, and ensuring timely access to appropriate services in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The ideal candidate will have experience with working in a high-volume call center. Bilingual Spanish or Mandarin language is preferred. Schedule 9/80 M-TH 10:30am-8pm, Friday RDO 11:30am-8pm This position requires a valid Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor, or Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor Certification. A valid CA Driver's License is required. Meet the Team! Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is a leading provider of mental health and substance use services in Riverside County. With a dedicated team of professionals, including psychiatrists, clinicians, peer specialists, and paraprofessionals, RUHS-BH serves over 45,000 individuals annually. We are committed to delivering culturally competent, evidence-based care across all ages. Our programs, including Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, and the Public Guardian’s Office, address the diverse needs of our community. At RUHS Behavioral Health, you’ll join a compassionate, innovative team where your skills make a real difference. We offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact. If you’re passionate about advancing your career while improving mental health in Riverside County, RUHS Behavioral Health is the place for you! For more information, please visit Examples Of Essential Duties Interview, evaluate, and counsel clients relative to alcoholism or drug abuse. Refer clients to County operated and/or community treatment facilities (e.g., detoxification centers, hospitals, recovery homes, residential treatment programs, or DUI program providers). Provide individual and group counseling sessions for clients and their families affected by substance abuse. Participate in joint County-community agency efforts in providing educational and prevention services to control and prevent substance abuse. Under direct supervision, monitor and evaluate program providers and determine compliance with program requirements; assist in planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing program design within the program; assist in resolving crises for clients and their families. Participate in substance abuse treatment and prevention programs; conduct community visits to assist substance abuse clients and their families achieve success in the program. Monitor client's course after discharge to ensure continuum of care and provide for adjustment. Under supervision, may monitor a variety of County and state mandated program providers by conducting site visits and record reviews to ensure compliance with County and state mandates. Assist in making preliminary recommendations as to the appropriateness and quality of treatment and prevention services; may analyze new and current legislation on the delivery of program services. Provide educational presentations on the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Prepare and maintain records, reports, and correspondence regarding substance abuse cases; maintain records on client case work. Minimum Qualifications OPTION I Experience: One year of providing individual or group counseling to individuals in a substance abuse treatment program/facility, which must have included responsibility for assessing, evaluating and making referrals, either individually or as part of a team led by a substance abuse or medical professional, for substance abuse clients. Certificate: Incumbents are required to be registered by the date of hire with an Alcohol and Other Drug certification in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 11833(b)(1). OPTION II Certificate: Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor Certification.

ALL OPTIONS

Knowledge of: Basic principles and practices involved in improving behavioral health; laws, rules and regulations governing a public substance abuse agency; counseling techniques applicable to substance abuse treatment and prevention; social, cultural, psychological, and economic factors relating to substance abuse; public agency, community resources, community based support systems, and their functions; use of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) screening criteria for consumer placement into appropriate levels of care; providing appropriate services for consumers with co-occurring SUD and MH disorders; tenets of providing trauma-informed care; medications used for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services; laws and ethics involved in the provision of substance use services. Ability to: Work effectively with a variety of different agencies, organizations and individuals; interview and evaluate clients experiencing substance abuse problems; counsel and guide clients toward independence from substance abuse; assess and monitor program providers and develop recommendations; communicate effectively in verbal and written form; assist in the development and implementation of new ideas, methods and programs related to substance abuse treatment and substance abuse prevention; match multidimensional severity and level of function with type and intensity of service; provide integrated services. Experience: One year providing direct evidence-based prevention services in a recognized substance abuse prevention program. Other Requirements License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required. An individual who registers as a counselor for the first time on or after July 1, 2025, must complete a minimum of 80 hours of education, including education in the core competency topics as specified in the Health and Safety Code Section 11833(b) within 6 months of registration. Registered AOD Counselors are required to complete continuing education in accordance with the requirements established by their certifying organization. Registered AOD Counselor are required to be Certified AOD Counselor within 5 years of initial registration. Failure to obtain certification may lead to termination.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

For questions regarding this recruitment Contact the recruiter, Nicole Prado: View email address on click.appcast.io , View phone number on click.appcast.io with any questions regarding this recruitment. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member‑4 Form DD‑214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here: Reasonable Accommodations The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: Schedule, Overtime, Standby/On-Call, and Travel Obligations The County of Riverside offers a variety of alternative work schedules, dependent upon department operations and needs. Certain assignments may involve overtime, standby/on-call shifts, and/or travel; however, scheduling, shift assignments, overtime work, standby/on-call duty, and travel obligations are subject to management approval, operational needs, and/or may be modified or discontinued at any time. Applicants should contact the assigned recruiter for additional information regarding the schedule, overtime and standby/on-call expectations, and travel obligations. Proof of Education If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Work Authorization Requirement Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas. Equal Opportunity Employer The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors. Pre-Employment All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required. Probationary Period As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will", are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head. General Information Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies. Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered. #J-18808-Ljbffr County of Riverside