Mental Health Specialist I

This examination is being given to fill multiple part-time vacancies in the Behavioral Health Services Department and to establish a referral pool to fill future vacancies.

Behavioral Health Services - Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF)
This position will be in the Psychiatric Health Facility which is a 40 bed inpatient program. This inpatient facility is separated into three suites to provide progressive care designed to meet different treatment needs. Psychiatric interventions are provided on a 24-hour basis to assist individuals in controlling the disabling effects of mental illness or related emotional problems.

Website:  www.sjgov.org/mhs

Work Schedule:  This position is for a rotating shifts.  This work schedule includes nights, weekends, and holidays.

Supplement:  Positions regularly assigned to direct patient care in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), Crisis or the Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) receive a 5% supplement

Special Requirement: The Psychiatric Health Facility will perform a background investigation on prospective employees to include criminal background information from State and Federal information banks.

Pre-employment Drug Screening:  Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen.  

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

Education: Completion of 45 semester units from an approved college or university of which a minimum of 30 must be in Psychology, Social Work, Nursing or related Social Science.

Substitution: For persons employed as a Mental Health Technician by San Joaquin County on the date this class specification is adopted, possession of a valid license as a Psychiatric Technician may be substituted for the 45 semester units.

Basic concepts of mental illness, mental health and substance abuse; techniques of dealing with the physical, emotional and social needs of emotionally disturbed individuals or substance abusers; clinical terminology.

Learn to develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of clients and patients; learn to recognize symptoms of mental or emotional disorders and substance abuse; analyze situations accurately and take appropriate action; understand and follow oral and written instructions; express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Applicants for part-time and temporary recruitments who meet the minimum qualifications are either referred to the hiring department for further selection or they may be required to take a written examination.  If a written examination is given, the top candidates may be referred to the hiring department for further selection.

Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date. 

Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination.  The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-employment Drug Screening Exam:  Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grandparent, grandchild or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when:

• They are related to the Appointing Authority, or

• The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other

Department Heads may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility:  If you are offered a job, you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

Apply Online:       

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

By mail or in person:  

San Joaquin County Human Resources

44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

Stockton, CA 95202                                  

Office hours:               
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone:  (209) 468-3370 

Job Line:

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377. 

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).  

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.