Client Services Counselor - I

Placer County is currently hiring for temporary/extra help** Client Services Counselor - I positions. This is a bachelor's degree, entry-level position in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Incumbents hired from this recruitment are not eligible to be transitioned into a permanent full-time or part-time position.

The Client Services Counselor performs a broad spectrum of duties including, but not limited to, providing direct services/case management support to clients facing difficult situations, emotional stresses, or significant changes in their lives as well as addressing emotional, behavioral, substance use, and/or mental health disorders, and homelessness, lack of employment and/or education in individuals and families.

Client Services Counselors assist individuals to cope with the situation at hand, advocate for them, and assist them in seeking out valuable resources and other means of support.  

Opportunities in HHS could include:

Adult System of Care

• Adult Protective Services
• In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
• Mental Health Services, Housing and Homeless Services
• Quality Management
• Substance Use Disorders

Children’s System of Care

• Mental Health Services, including wraparound
• Child Welfare Services, including intake, ongoing services, and Resource Family Approval

Human Services

• Employment Services, including the Business Advantage Network (BAN)

**Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to working 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits.

Employees who are designated to use a second language in the normal course and scope of work will receive five percent (5%) bilingual pay.

This recruitment is open until filled. Applications will be screened on a bi-weekly basis.

To perform a variety of professional case management and direct client services duties; to coordinate and act as liaison with other departmental and community services/resources; and to function as an integral and supportive member of assigned departmental and multi-disciplinary team(s).

This is the entry level class in the Client Services Counselor series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under general supervision while learning job tasks. 

Receives general supervision from a supervisory/management position and may receive technical and functional supervision from a senior level professional.

• Provide counseling and case management to assigned clients on an on-going basis; monitor and document treatment plans and activity strategies, provide linkage and refer clients to other departmental and/or community services and resources, conduct home/work site visits, and monitor and assess client status on an on-going basis.
• Conduct intake and screen applicants for designated services; review investigations and case studies utilized in the determination of the needs and qualifications of applicants/clients; determine appropriate services necessary and/or applicable to most effectively meet client needs.
• Coordinate and oversee clients involved in the learning and performance of designated living/working skills; evaluate and track the level of functional behavior; teach/train clients in appropriate behaviors/skills utilizing a multi-disciplinary team approach; and assist clients with re-entry into the community and/or work place.
• Participate in the development and on-going implementation of treatment plans, activity strategies, and other individualized programs to include behavior modification, basic financial management, social and workplace skills, job search, and other activities necessary for independent living; observe and interact with clients and families, employers, and other involved participants in a defined and professional manner and record observations and interactions.
• Assess applicant/client status and abilities relative to assigned program acceptance, appropriate placement, and/or on-going participation; conduct needs assessments, administer tests, and apply standardized criteria in making determinations and recommendations.
• Identify and report potential crisis situations or, within established procedures, apply appropriate intervention; document activities, behavior, incidents and interactions; be alert to all conditions and situations involving clients; counsel clients and provide positive role model behavior.
• Provide limited crisis intervention or conflict resolution in emergency/stressful situations requiring immediate attention.
• Lead group discussions and interactions regarding assigned program area and activities and the clients' participation in these activities; provide input and act as a resource to clients in a group environment.
• Provide outreach and referral networks to the community, general public, local employers, as well as public and private agencies; conduct training workshops and/or presentations to clients, care providers, community groups and the general public.
• Participate in and contribute to an inter-agency and community networking/referral system; evaluate clients' needs relative to appropriate program referrals; maintain close communication with contract providers, employers, and community service agencies to ensure treatment plan/activity strategies and client needs are being met in a successful manner.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees community resources, clients, and the general public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as required.

Knowledge of:

• Standard and accepted terminology utilized in designated program areas and its relation to treatment and regulations affecting service provision.
• Techniques used in individual/group care, counseling, and treatment of designated client population, including the multi-disciplinary approach to providing services.
• Crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques, including management of assaultive behavior; seclusion and restraint philosophy.
• Use of medication in mental health treatment.
• Standard and accepted case management techniques.
• Standard and accepted interviewing and observation techniques and methods.
• Health and human services delivery systems and the multi-disciplinary approach to these systems.
• Standard and accepted English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar, and basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job and observe safety rules; intermittently review work papers, reports and special projects; identify and problem solve situations involving clients; identify safety hazards; locate equipment and supplies; remember clients' names; understand and explain Department policies and procedures to clients, families and the general public.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time or while driving; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, or kneel while retrieving or returning files, documents and supplies and making copies; walk, stand, bend, squat, kneel, climb, or twist while conducting home/site visits or transporting client; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with sufficient acuity to observe and assess physical condition and living environment of client; and lift moderate weight.
• Assess financial, physical, mental and emotional well-being of applicants or clients.
• Develop adequate and appropriate case plans.
• Effectively interview individuals who may be physically, mentally and/or emotionally impaired or distressed.
• Relate positively to clients; establish trust and rapport; and display empathy.
• Learn how to develop a treatment plan or activities strategy.
• Work cooperatively as part of a team providing services and/or treatment to designated clients.
• Provide effective case management services and learn the community resources available to client population.
• Assess situations involving designated clients quickly and objectively, determine appropriate course of action and respond effectively using a variety of appropriate interventions and approaches.
• Prepare thorough documentation and maintain accurate and systematic records.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Work assigned shift schedule.
• Use a telephone and photocopy machine, routine housekeeping equipment and recreational and athletic equipment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both in oral and written forms.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Janine Martindale, Administrative Technician, at jmartind@placer.ca.gov or (530) 889-4083.