Mental Health Specialist II

WHY JOIN US AT SOLANO COUNTY?

COMMITMENT TO SERVICE: Our mission is to serve the people and to provide a safe and healthy place to live, learn, work and play.

We serve the public in many different ways, including:

· Providing primary medical, dental, substance abuse, mental health and social services to residents, including the uninsured, low-income, and medically underserved, and administering federal, state, and local public assistance programs

· Providing law enforcement services in the unincorporated area of the county

· Protecting the community from public health threats such as communicable diseases

· Coordinating countywide responses to domestic violence and terrorism or other emergencies

· Managing the criminal justice process after arrest (jail, prosecution, defense, probation)

· Supporting other local governments through efficient property tax collection as mandated by the State, County and local jurisdictions; and,

· Administration and enforcement of Federal, State, and Local laws and policies pertaining to environmental health, building construction, and land use planning

OUR EMPLOYEES: Our diverse workforce is committed to fulfilling this mission and does so by exemplifying our IDEAL Core Values, engaging in our day to day work of serving the public with Integrity, Dignity, Excellence, Accountability, and Leadership.

WHY WE EXIST 

Health is all about people – where they live, learn, work and play. 

The mission of Solano County's Health and Social Services is to Promote Healthy, Safe and Stable Lives.

Join our team dedicated to mental health wellness and recovery!

Solano County's Behavioral Health mission is to provide mental health services and support in Solano County that are person-centered, safe, effective, efficient, timely and equitable, that are supported by friends and community, that promote wellness/recovery, and that fully incorporate shared decision making between consumers, family members and providers. 

Solano County Behavioral Health dedicates itself to the care of Solano residents to help them remain in the community so that they can progress in their recovery and benefit from natural supports, avoiding institutionalization. Behavioral Health provides psychiatric services to Solano Community in an integrated health care environment in three adult and child outpatient clinics located in Vallejo, Fairfield, and Vacaville.   

Our Services: In addition to outpatient psychiatric services, the Behavioral Health Division offers the following to its clients:

• Outpatient Psychotherapy
• Case  Management
• A.C.T. model services (Full Service Partnerships)
• Wellness Centers
• Consumer and Family Support

Solano County Behavioral Health is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our services aim to empower all community members throughout their journey towards wellness and recovery. It is also of equal importance for us to improve access to quality care for underserved and under-represented ethnic and minority populations who have been historically marginalized by health care systems. We are seeking qualified staff who possess valuable life experiences and expertise to ensure our workforce is culturally and linguistically responsive and leverages diversity to foster innovation and positive outcomes for the people we serve.

Click here to learn more about Health and Social Services Department  

Click here to learn more about the Behavioral Health Services Division

Help us lead a team dedicated to mental health wellness and recovery!

The Mental Health Specialist II assists in the provision and coordination of mental health support counseling and rehabilitative treatment services for people with acute emotional, mental health, and substance abuse problems; performs ongoing case management support for cases with established treatment and service plans, assists in the development of treatment plans; maintains records related to patient or client services; and performs related duties as required. 

The Mental Health Specialist II is the full journey-level in this class series. Incumbents work under the supervision or direction of professional staff and perform para-professional casework duties in providing supportive counseling, rehabilitative services, including training in activities of daily living, identifying client needs, using community resources, assisting clients with immediate problems, and in client advocacy. Final disposition of cases is subject to review and approval by licensed supervisory and professional staff. 

The eligible list created as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill part-time and full-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur of the need arises.

The current vacancy is in the Division of Behavioral Health Services in the Department of Health and Social Services. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

EITHER

One year of experience equivalent to the Mental Health Specialist I in Solano County;  

OR   

Four years of experience in a private or governmental agency providing direct mental health related services to clients, which included identifying client mental health and/or substance dependence needs, using community resources, and client advocacy.   

Completion of all coursework from an accredited college or university required for an Associates degree or higher in a mental health related field preferably in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, counseling, or pastoral counseling or a closely related field may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis under pattern II. (Please see "Document Submittal Requirements" below).

Click here to view the job description for this position 

Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage is $1,900.58 per month for 2023. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More coverage.

Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.   

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement and contributes to Social Security.    

The County observes 12 full day fixed and 2 half day fixed paid holidays per year.  Additionally, employees in this bargaining unit receive 2 floating paid holidays per year.

Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year..

Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year.

Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years.

Click here to view the 2023 Benefits Summary

Extra-help employees who work less than 29 hours per week do not typically receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment. All extra-help employees accrue .034 hours of Sick Leave for every full hour worked.

• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Annual Education Fair
• County Mentoring Program
• Leadership Academy
• Supervisory Trainings
• Skill Development Trainings
• Self-paced learning opportunities

12/18/2023 – Deadline to submit application and required documents for first consideration.

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a supplemental questionnaire assessment, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Responses to supplemental questions may be used as screening and testing mechanisms and will be used to assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the process; as such, responses to supplemental questions should be treated as test examination responses. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced.

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. Applications must be submitted through the JobAps system. Paper copies of applications are not accepted. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (degree/transcripts, certificates, DD-214 if applicable, ADA Accommodation Request) must be submitted by the final filing date. Be sure to include the recruitment title (Mental Health Specialist II) and the recruitment number (23-433300-02) in your email or fax.

Previously submitted application materials (e.g., copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.

Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170, business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA.

Please note that all dates/times listed in the job announcement are Pacific Time.

All candidates qualifying for the position under the education requirement must submit a copy of their official/unofficial transcripts (verifying the courses and units completed) or degree (verifying institution, student, date, degree and area of specialization conferred) by the final filing date.  Candidates who fail to submit their transcripts by the final filing date will be disqualified from the recruitment.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service. The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment. Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTS

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com.  Be sure to include the recruitment title (Mental Health Specialist II) and the recruitment number (23-433300-02) in your email or fax.

Driver’s License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment.  Loss of the Class C Driver’s License is a cause for discipline.  Individuals who do not meet this driver’s license requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis.  

Assignment Requirements: Some positions in these classes may require work in an out-station location or in a setting with other professionals integrated as a team.  Some positions may require first hand experience as a mental health consumer and the ability to provide peer self-help counseling.  

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://webstartadmin/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=6664.

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

OUR COMMUNITY

Solano County is the ideal place to live, learn, work and play… The America's Promise Alliance has named Solano County as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People for six straight years—the only California community with that distinction.

• Live – Solano County as well as cities within the County have ranked in the top 15 hottest markets across the country and within the Bay Area due to prime location and affordability.
• Learn – Higher education abounds! Within the County, education choices include: Solano Community College, CSU Maritime Academy, Brandman University, and Touro University. Bordering our County is the renowned University of California Davis.
• Work – The blend of agriculture, corporate business and pleasant lifestyle enhance the attraction of Solano County. Blessed with a thriving agricultural economy, the county is also home to biotechnology and other growth industries.
• Play - Situated midway between San Francisco and Sacramento—the State capitol, Solano County is home to rolling hillsides, waterfronts and fertile farmland. County residents can enjoy day trips to the San Francisco Bay area, Lake Tahoe region and the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

County Population (2019): 447,643

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER