Behavioral Health Clinician I/II

Kings County, CA

$74K — $90K *
Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or related field required.
  • Behavioral Health Clinician II requires two years of relevant experience.
  • Valid California driver's license required at time of appointment.
  • For Behavioral Health Clinician I: Registration as ACSW, AMFT, or APCC must be obtained within 120 days of hire.
  • For Behavioral Health Clinician II: Licensure as LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC required.

Responsibilities

  • Provide individual, group, and family counseling and rehabilitation services.
  • Conduct assessments to determine eligibility for therapeutic services and contact clients with information on available services.
  • Assess, diagnose, and treat clients with behavioral health disorders; collaborate to create personalized treatment plans.
  • Initiate and conduct therapy sessions using various techniques and provide case management support.
  • Perform intake evaluations, preparing detailed case history and documentation for diagnosis.
  • Support clients in understanding diagnoses and challenges; focus on client strengths in treatment.
  • Perform crisis intervention and coordinate appropriate care services.

Benefits

  • Enrolled in CalPERS retirement system with reciprocity options.
  • Comprehensive health insurance coverage including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents.
  • Paid holidays and vacation accrual of two to four weeks per year based on service length.
  • Sick leave accumulation starts upon employment.
  • Reimbursement for continued education up to $1,500 for relevant courses.
Full Job Description
Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Kings County Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA
Job Type: Full-time permanent
Job Number: 2026-021
Department: Behavioral Health Administration
Division: Behavioral Health Administration
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN I/II - CONTINUOUS

I: $74,401.60 - $90,812.80 Annually

II: $82,201.60 - $100,318.40 Annually

This recruitment is a continuous recruitment, which means we will accept application on a continuous basis. A continuous recruitment may be closed once the position is filled or at any time. Future vacancies for this position may be filled from the eligible list to be established.

To discover what makes Kings County a great place to live and work, click to watch a short video.
DUTY SAMPLE
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.
  • Provides individual, group, and family interventions, rehabilitation, and treatment services including counseling, therapy, case management, and referral and linkage to community services to a variety of clients.
  • Receives referrals from various County departments and programs; conducts assessments to determine criteria eligibility for therapeutic services; contacts referrals to provide information related to available services.
  • Within scope of authority, assesses, diagnoses, and treats a variety of clients with behavioral health disorders; collaborates with clients and creates individualized treatments plans according to client's needs and circumstances.
  • Initiates and conducts individual, group, and family counseling and biopsychosocial therapy sessions utilizing a variety of techniques and modalities; provides case management services in the office and in the field.
  • Performs routine and emergency intake evaluations according to department procedure; completes appropriate forms and documents relating to the intake process; and prepares medical and demographic case history for use in diagnosis.
  • Assists clients and family members in understanding behavioral health diagnosis, contributing factors/causes, effects, prognosis, rehabilitation, and treatment.
  • Works with clients to address stressors and barriers to treatment and/or social functioning; identifies and focuses on client strengths and personal resources to effectively engage and treat client.
  • Performs crisis intervention; evaluates individuals to identify level of stable behavior; provides support and assistance in problem resolution; coordinates or arranges for the provision of appropriate care services.
  • Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, staff trainings, utilization and peer review activities, clinical supervision and case consultation, and public information and education functions.
  • As a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, provides critical clinical input related to client diagnosis and recommended treatment; presents findings and clinical observations; and makes recommendations for additional services.
  • Maintains and submits accurate, detailed, and thorough documentation, case records, and notes of all billable and non-billable activities and services related to client care; completes necessary documentation for billing purposes.
  • Provides resources and referrals to address basic needs and other barriers to wellness and recovery including food, housing, clothing, transportation, and other financial resources.
  • Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, case conferences, joint team meetings, in-service trainings, and other staff development activities; collaborates with a variety of internal and external departments, agencies, service providers, and client/family support network to address needs and coordinate services.
  • Observes and complies with County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date**
Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:
  • Behavioral Health Clinician I and II: Equivalent to a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related field.


Experience:

  • Behavioral Health Clinician II: Two (2) years of experience providing professional counseling/therapy services in a behavioral health setting.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licenses:

  • Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.


Certifications:
  • Behavioral Health Clinician I: Possession of, or ability to obtain within 120 days of hire, valid registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), to be maintained throughout employment.
  • Behavioral Health Clinician II: Possession of valid licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), to be maintained throughout employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check; must be willing to work irregular hours as required; travel within and outside the County.
For a complete description of duties and qualifications, please view the detailed job specification below.

All completedapplications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or a written examination (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) to determine placement on the eligible list.
Note: Those applicants who are among the top 40 written test scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination process.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
Tentative Recruitment Process
Final Date to Apply: Continuous
Retirement Benefits: Eligible employees are enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS. The County contracts with the CalPERS for this benefit in the miscellaneous or safety plans as appropriate. The County has reciprocity with other qualifying public retirement systems in California.

Effective January 1, 2013, all new members to CalPERS, or existing members with more than a 6 month break in service from a qualifying previous public employer, will be enrolled in one of the following CalPERS retirement plans (with three year average final compensation) based on their classification:
Miscellaneous - 2% at 62
Safety - 2.7% at 57

If a new employee is currently a member of a qualifying California public retirement plan without a break in service of no more than 6 months (documentation will be required), or ever worked for Kings County previously, they may qualify instead for either of these plans (with single highest year final compensation) in effect prior to January 1, 2013:
Miscellaneous - 2% at 55
Safety - 3% at 55

The new formulas will not apply to existing County employees hired prior to 12/31/12 who promote or transfer to a different position, or into a position covered by a different PERS plan (e.g. move from a position covered by the Miscellaneous Plan to one covered by the Safety Plan).

Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health, and chiropractic care for employees and their eligible dependents is available. The portion of the monthly cost that the employees are responsible for depends on their bargaining unit. The County offers a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The County has an Employee Health Center available to Kings County employees and their dependents enrolled in the County health plan.

Deferred Compensation: Participation is voluntary. One plan with several investment options is available. For more information on the eligibility of a contribution match, please refer to the applicable

Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; and half-day New Year's Eve. Holiday credit may vary for law enforcement, fire, and other employees required to work on a holiday. Refer to the for information on the paid holiday closure.

Vacation: Eligible employees earn from two to four weeks of paid vacation per year, depending on their length of service and bargaining unit agreements.

Sick Leave: Sick Leave is accrued for each hour worked. Accrual rates vary depending on date of hire and bargaining unit agreements. The accumulation of sick leave starts from your first day of employment and sick leave may be requested subsequent to the time it is earned.

Retiree Health Insurance: Upon retirement from the County, and depending on bargaining unit agreements, a percentage of accrued sick leave may be converted to be used to pay for retiree health insurance benefits for eligible employee and spouse.

Education Reimbursement Program: Full-time, permanent employees are eligible to receive up to $500 for units earned toward an associate's degree, or up to $1,500 for units toward a bachelor's or master's degree. Permanent employees who work at least half-time are eligible. Extra help employees are not eligible. Courses must be to increase their knowledge or ability to perform their present job or to prepare for a higher level job with the County. This program is subject to annual funding.

Flexible Benefits Program: Optional program allows employees to pay for certain qualified benefits with pre-tax salary (such as child care expenses, unreimbursed medical costs, or health insurance premiums).

Specialty Pays: See for information.

Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision or procedure described herein may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.

01

The application and supplemental questionnaire must be completed fully. The following supplemental questions are used to help determine qualifications and eligibility to continue in the recruitment process. All education and experience used to answer the supplemental questions must be included on the education and work history portion of your application. Incomplete applications or supplemental questionnaires cannot be revised after submission and may be grounds for rejection. Responses such as "see resume" or "see application" or brief general statements will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications may be rejected. By clicking "I Accept" below, I certify that I understand and will follow the application instructions.
  • I Accept.

02

Do you possess a Master's Degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related field?
  • Yes
  • No

03

Please list your education from an accredited college or university. Include the following information: 1) Name of college or university you attended; 2) Degree received; 3) Major and minor studied; 4) Number of units completed and indicate semester or quarter units. Type "N/A" if you do not possess any units from an accredited college or university.Note: The hiring department may require transcripts at the time of the department interview.
04

Please indicate below how many years of experience providing professional counseling/therapy services in a behavioral health setting.
  • Less than two (2) years of experience.
  • Two (2) years or more of experience.
  • No, I do not meet this requirement.

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