Mental Health Specialist

Job Description

Definition & Distinguishing Characteristics

The Department of Behavioral Health Services is seeking a dynamic Mental Health Specialist who is ready to make a difference in our community.

We are a community-based, outpatient behavioral health clinic dedicated to serving our most vulnerable populations. Our leadership team is comprised of dynamic, team-oriented leaders who support staff success with the understanding that successful team members equal outstanding client care.

We want to see our community members become successful in reaching their goals, and we feel fortunate to be in a position to support them in this effort. So be sure to check on whether you’re aligned with our Department values and culture. If you think you can see yourself delivering excellent customer service as a member of the Behavioral Health team, see the summary below & then check out the job description page: HERE .

There is one position available within the Department of Behavioral Health Services. This recruitment will be used to fill a current vacancy and establish an eligibility list to fill other openings without reposting.

What's this Job All About?
Under the direction of the Clinical Program Manager, this position provides clinical services to individuals diagnosed with mental health and/or substance use disorders. Services include facilitating individual and group sessions focused on developing skills that promote improved communication, social functioning, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and other areas that support recovery and overall well-being. Interventions may also include behavior modification strategies and harm reduction approaches to enhance clients' daily functioning and treatment outcomes.

This position collaborates closely with clients' therapists and treatment team to monitor progress toward individualized treatment goals and ensure coordinated, client-centered care. Responsibilities also include assisting with the collection of biopsychosocial information during the intake and assessment process, participating in treatment planning, and responding to behavioral health crises under the clinical supervision and guidance of a Clinical Program Manager.

We take self-care seriously and believe that a healthy work-life balance is essential to doing our best work and providing exceptional care to our community. We support our employees’ professional and personal growth through training opportunities and team-building activities designed to strengthen collaboration, build skills, and foster a positive work environment.

Embracing the Colusa County Work Culture
Our Core Values are more than just words; they’re a way of life here in the Behavioral Health Department. We know that departments with a strong culture & a higher purpose perform better in the long run.

Do our values speak to you?

• Deliver WOW Through Service to Others & Our Community
• Embrace and Drive Change
• Be Adventurous, Creative, Open-Minded
• Pursue Growth and Learning
• Build Open and Honest Relationships with Communication
• Foster a Positive Team and Family Spirit
• Be Passionate and Determined
• Be Humble and Kind

What are the benefits?

• A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve.
• A caring, empathetic, & fun work family that you will be welcomed into - where we work hard, but play hard, too!
• A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
• Competitive salary commensurate with education & experience
• A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members) - As long as you work for 5 years and vest in the CalPERS system, you will receive a retirement paycheck for the rest of your life.
• Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
• Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff.
• 457 Deferred Compensation.
• PAID vacation, PAID holidays (15), and PAID leave if you get sick.
• Vacation Parity - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County. A public agency includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities. To learn more about vacation parity, please see our benefit summary.

COME WORK FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUSA: WE’RE WAITING FOR YOU!

Supervision & Examples of Duties

Under the direction of the Director of Behavioral Health or designee, the Mental Health Specialist receives technical and functional supervision from the Clinical Program Manager and general supervision from the Clinical Supervisor.

Qualifications

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be to meet one of the following education and experience patterns, consistent with the minimum qualifications for a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist established in the California Code of Regulations Title IX, §630.

OPTION 1:

Training :
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field.

Experience :
Four years of experience in a behavioral health setting.

OPTION 2:

Training :
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field, and completion of one year of graduate-level coursework in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field.

Experience :
Three years of experience in a behavioral health setting.

OPTION 3:

Training :
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field, and completion of two years of graduate-level coursework in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field.

Experience :
Two years of experience in a behavioral health setting.

OPTION 4:

Training :
Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college with major course work in psychology, social welfare, social work, or a related field.

Experience :
Six years of experience in a behavioral health setting, including at least two years of experience obtained after completion of the Associate's degree.

Qualifying experience must have been obtained in a behavioral health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment. Qualifying behavioral health settings include, but are not limited to, behavioral health treatment, rehabilitation, psychiatric, or similar settings.

License or Certificate (Required for All Options) :
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License.

Supplemental Information

The salary range above consists of 15 steps. Steps 1-6 are annual merit steps with approximately 5% difference between each step, based on successful performance. Steps 7-15 are additional merit steps, requiring 2 years of satisfactory performance at the previous step. Steps 7-14 provide 2.5% increases, while Step 15 offers a 5% increase. The final salary offered will depend on the applicant's experience and qualifications, ranging from steps 1 to 15.

Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package. For a summary of benefits, please click here: 2026 Benefit Summary

Closing Date/Time: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific