CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER (HEALTH/CORRECTIONAL FACILITY) - SAFETY

Job Description and Duties

**This classification is subject to Section 5, Hiring-Above-Minimum (HAM) Authorization of the California State Civil Service Pay Scales. The authorized HAM minimum rate for this classification is $8,265 (Range U - Unlicensed/ASW) and $8,876 (Range V - Licensed/LCSW).**

The permanent/full-time  Clinical Social Worker (H/CF, Safety) is under the administration and clinical supervision of the Chief of Social Work Services through the Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker I at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties, but not limited to:

• Conduct or co-lead weekly treatment groups.
• Meet with and provide social work services for patients who have identified need, as defined by the Social Work Service.
• Develop and maintain contact with family of patients, as appropriate, and provide them with information when proper release forms have been signed by the patient allowing contact.
• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of correct methods in Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI). Assist in the maintenance of a safe and secure environment through response to physical assaults, escape attempts or other major patient disturbance, and assist in the management of the conduct of the patients.
• Participate in all Interdisciplinary Treatment Team reviews of each patient on assigned caseload; provide input on progress in treatment; report on family, social and community resources; identify current and ongoing treatment needs, and make recommendations.
• Write clinical progress notes describing and evaluating the patients’ responses to treatment, as defined by the Social Work Service.
• Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team, State’s Conditional Release Program, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) stakeholders: Behavioral Health Reintegration (BHR) clinician, DSH-A parole, and the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) field agents, County Behavioral Health programs statewide, and/or representative from the dispositional setting to formulate an outpatient treatment contract/discharge plan and facilitate the patient discharge to the dispositional setting.

Eligibility : To be considered for this career opportunity, applicants must have eligibility by way of one of the following: reachable on a certification list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility.

*It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications specified in the examination bulletin/classification specifications.*

If you do not have eligibility, you must take the exam. The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.

Click here to take the Clinical Social Worker Exam .

Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION :  The Medical Staff of DSH-Atascadero requires Clinical Social Worker candidates meet the Medical Staff criteria for allied health professional privileging set forth in the facility bylaws. Candidates applying for both licensed and unlicensed positions must submit the required documents listed under the Required Application Documents section.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 9/3/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Postal

Attn: DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

PO Box 7005

Atascadero , CA 93423-7005

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Drop Off

DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

10333 El Camino Real

Atascadero , CA 93422

Building 105 - After hours drop box available

08:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other -
  • Eligible applicants MUST possess a valid Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners;
    If unlicensed, applicants MUST have a valid Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) registration issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners by the final filing date to be considered for a hiring interview at this location.
• Other -
  • You MUST provide a copy of your unofficial college transcripts, that include date degree conferred, if applicable, along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. Higher degrees cannot be accepted without evidence of the lower degree that leads to it. Please note: foreign transcripts MUST include a verification for US equivalency through an independent company.
• Other -
  • You MUST include three (3) current letters of reference on letterhead, with signature, which comment on your experience doing psychosocial assessment, individual, group and family therapy, treatment planning and evaluation, and community liaison, consultation, and post-hospital planning. A recent MSW fieldwork evaluation may be substituted for one letter of reference.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California offers a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Medical Benefits (health, dental, and vision)
• Work life balance (some positions qualify for flexible work hours and schedules, and a minimum of 10 days of paid leave annually – specific accrual rates can be found here )
• Paid Holidays and leave (family medical leave, military leave, etc)
• Defined benefit retirement program with CalPERS
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• School loan forgiveness under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Commute Program
• Employee Wellness Program (discounts to health clubs)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• ScholarShare (college savings account)
• On-the-job training and professional development
• Most positions qualify for annual raises until you reach the maximum salary for that position, subject to meeting performance standards

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

These webpages are intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base, and length of appointment.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website:

Human Resources Contact:
DSH-Atascadero Employment Office
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Hiring Unit Contact:
Mona Amian-Skamfer
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Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Pearl Melena
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California Relay Service: View phone number on us.fitly.work (TTY), View phone number on us.fitly.work (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

• Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.
• Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
• This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.
• This position requires candidates to take and pass a Drug Screening Test. You will be required to take and pass the drug screening test prior to being hired.
• Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted. Scanned, copied or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.
• Any limited-term appointments may transition in to a permanent appointment.

You may be eligible for a pay differential of:

• 1% of annualized base salary paid as a one-time payment after 12 consecutive qualifying pay periods (QPP), increasing by 1% every 12 QPPs (2% at 24 QPPs, 3% at 36 QPPs, 4% at 48 QPPs, 5% at 60 QPPs), until maxing out at 7% of annualized base salary at 84 QPPs.