Salary : $8,469.24 - $11,183.23 Monthly
Location : 2001 28th Street, Bakersfield, CA
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 10114
Department: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & RECOVERY SERVICES
Opening Date: 08/03/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Information
Salary:Level I: $3,908.88 - $4,671.47, paid bi-weekly
Level II: $4,318.90 - $5,161.49, paid bi-weekly

EXAMINATION SCHEDULE:
Oral Exam: Qualified candidates will be notified of the testing date five days prior to the oral examination.

EXAMINATION:
Oral Exam (Weight 100%): Will be conducted for the purpose of appraising the applicant's training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the position.

The Human Resources Division may solely conduct an appraisal of application materials should there be an insufficient number of candidates to warrant an oral examination.

Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.

Minimum Qualifications/ Employment Standards:
Level I:
Licensure in the State of California as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor AND one (1) year full-time supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting.

OR

Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Social Work or a related field ANDregistered with the State of California as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Intern or Pre-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor ANDtwo (2) years full-time supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting providing direct counseling or direct psychotherapy. Failure to maintain a current and valid registration may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. A California license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) must be obtained within six (6) years of initial registration.

OR

Completion of all Psychology doctoral coursework and completion of a Psychology Internship from an Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) program AND one (1) year postdoctoral supervised professional experience. Pre-doctoral psychology candidates cannot be employed to provide mental health services unless they obtain a Mental Health Professional Licensing Waiver from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). A waiver granted may not exceed five years from the date of initial issuance of waiver. A California license as a Licensed Psychologist must be obtained within five (5) years from the initial date of issuance of Mental Health Professional Licensing Waiver to continue to qualify to perform mental health services under this job description.

Level II:

Licensure in the State of California as a Clinical Psychologist and one (1) year full-time experience in supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity.

OR

Licensure in the State of California as a Physician, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and FamilyTherapist (MFT), orLicensed Professional ClinicalCounselor (LPCC)ANDtwo (2) years full-time supervised clinical experience in a psychiatric setting or a mental health program, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity.

OR

Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) AND four (4) years full-time nursing experience in a psychiatric setting or a mental health program, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity.

OR

Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) AND two (2) years full-time nursing experience in a psychiatric setting or a mental health program, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacityAND possess and maintain avalidAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification in Psychiatric or Mental Health Nursing. Failure to maintain a current and valid certification may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Level I and Level II:

Dependent upon assignment, applicants maybe required to pass an extensive background investigation and be fingerprinted. Disqualification for felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

A valid California Class "C" Driver's License is required at the time of appointment.

Please ensure applicable materials are attached to your application. If you are unable to attach application materials to your application, you may deliver a copy to the Human Resources Division at 1115 Truxtun Ave. First Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or email [email protected].

Full Job Description:
Full Job Description:
This position works within the Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Department. For more information about the department, please view their website

Additional Information
Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a bilingual (English/Spanish) certificate before the final filing deadline. Applicants who wish to be considered for bilingual employment must submit a bilingual certificate issued by the Kern County Human Resources Division or its authorized agent, Bakersfield College. Access the following website for information about where to obtain a qualifying certificate: Employees who occupy positions designated as bilingual are paid dependent upon the required level of proficiency.
A background check may be conducted for this classification.

Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.

This examination will establish an eligible list from which immediate appointment(s) will be made. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission. Candidates are encouraged to indicate acceptable geographical locations in which they would accept employment on their application form. Candidates MUST be willing to travel to these locations (areas/district offices).

For more information regarding Kern County's recruitment process, please see our
Kern County Employee Benefits

*As a regular or provisional employee of Kern County, working twenty (20) hours or more per week, you are presently eligible for the following benefits as described below:

: (Medical/Dental/Vision): Kern County offers five affordable medical options. Kern Legacy Health Plans are medical and prescription health plan options administered directly by the County of Kern. Kaiser Permanente is also an option. Employees may also choose from two dental plans; Liberty Dental PPO or HMO. The vision coverage is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP).

: Kern County Employees' Retirement Association (KCERA). This Section 401 (a) defined benefit retirement plan requires employer and employee contribution and pays retired employees a pension based on salary, years of service, and age upon retirement.

: This section 457 plan allows employees to contribute on a pre-tax basis to a supplemental retirement account which is then paid out to them when they retire.

Note: Both Kern County and the employee contribute to Social Security and Medicare as follows:

• The County of Kern withholds 6.2% for Social Security (FICA1) and 1.45% for Medicare (FICA2) from employee's payroll warrants
• The County matches the employee's 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare

: EAP is available to help you take control of your life!

: Chimienti & Associates (Administrator) offers the following voluntary benefits and can be deducted on a pre-tax bases: Short Term Disability Coverage, Accident Plan, Cancer Plan and a Flexible Spending Account.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days (per calendar year)
01

I have attached a copy of my licensure in the State of California as a Clinical Psychologist.

• Yes
• No

02

I have attached a copy of my licensure in the State of California as a Physician, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

• Yes
• No

03

I have attached a copy of licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

• Yes
• No

04

I have attached a copy of my American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification in Psychiatric or Mental Health Nursing.

• Yes
• No

05

I have attached a copy of my master's degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in psychology, sociology, counseling, social work or a related fied.

• Yes
• No

06

I have attached a copy of my valid registration with the State of California as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Inter, or Pre-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

• Yes
• No

07

I have attached verification of completion of all psychology doctoral coursework and completion of a psychology internship from an Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) program.

• Yes
• No

08

I have attached a copy of my Mental Health Professional Licensing Waiver from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

• Yes
• No

Required Question