Mental Health Therapist I/II/III

Salary : $66,830.40 - $111,238.40 Annually
Location : Yuba City, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number:
Department: HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Division: Children's - Behavioral Health
Opening Date: 07/13/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

JOB SUMMARY
This is a continuous recruitment; applications submitted will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis. We will continue to accept applications until the positions are filled. There are multiple vacancies within the Health and Human Services department. These vacancies can be filled at the I, II, or III level. Candidates need only to apply once; all applications will be screened for the minimum requirements at the highest level they are qualified for. In the case of higher-level vacancies, names from the eligible list will be referred based on qualifying level. For lower-level vacancies, higher level candidates on the eligible list may not be excluded from being referred.

Under supervision, provides psychiatric casework, counseling, and treatment services in a clinic or institutional setting. Mental Health Therapists may be assigned to Children's Services or Adult Services Branch.

Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF)
Under supervision, a Mental Health Therapist on the Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) provides direct clinical care to patients in a secure inpatient setting who are experiencing acute mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, mood disorders, or crisis-related symptoms. They conduct psychosocial assessments, develop and implement individualized treatment plans, and connect patients with resources through Sutter Yuba Behavioral Health and/or in the community. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team that may include psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers, the therapist supports crisis intervention, safety planning, discharge coordination, and patient education. The role requires strong clinical judgment, documentation skills, and the ability to build therapeutic rapport in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment while maintaining patient safety and confidentiality.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program
Under supervision, Mental Health Therapists in the SUD program provides direct clinical care to adult and youth patients experiencing substance use and co-occurring behavioral health needs. Services include assessment, individualized treatment planning, individual and group counseling, relapse prevention, case management, crisis intervention, and consultation with multidisciplinary team. This position plays a key role in improving access to care, engaging underserved population, and supporting sustained recovery outcomes.

Adult Urgent Services
Under supervision, a Mental Health Therapist in Adult Urgent Services provides direct clinical care to patients experiencing moderate to severe behavioral health conditions. They work as part of an interdisciplinary team that provides screening, assessment, individual therapy, group therapy and other behavioral health services in the Adult Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic. This position carries an individual therapy caseload and includes participation in the Open Access Clinic, providing screening and intake assessments on a walk-in basis for patients seeking behavioral health and substance use disorder services. The position is also responsible for providing group therapy services, including services for patients dually diagnosed with substance use and behavioral health conditions. Depending on licensure, this position may require providing consultation and supervision to other staff members and participation in case management and treatment decisions.

To view specific job descriptions for each level, please follow the links below:

Mental Health Therapist I
Salary: $32.12-$43.63 Hourly; $66,830.40 - $90,750.40 Annually
Mental Health Therapist II
Salary: $35.67-$46.60 Hourly; $74,193.60 - $100,880.00 Annually
Mental Health Therapist III
Salary: $39.69 -$53.48 Hourly; $82,555.20 - $111,238.40 Annually

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill any future opening(s), including Limited-Term, Part-Time and Extra Help, in this class for up to six months.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Mental Health Therapist I

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other related duties may be required and assigned.

1. Performs casework services with patients or clients and their relatives.
2. Performs telephone screening of prospective patients.
3. Participates in the evaluation of problems presented and in the development of treatment plans.
4. Participates in psychotherapy program with psychiatric staff team.
5. Confers with other staff members, psychiatrists, community agencies, school officials, probation officers, and others to exchange information and implement treatment plans.
6. Interprets and explains to clients, relatives, and community groups the social and emotional factors pertaining to illness.
7. Refers patients or clients to appropriate community agencies.
8. Studies new techniques for dealing with emotional and environmental problems.
9. Prepares social case histories, treatment plans, progress notes and assessments.

MARGINAL DUTIES

1. Prepares and/or generates various correspondence and documentation.
2. Reviews various documentation and processes, forwards, or takes other action as appropriate.
3. Maintains departmental files and records.
4. Maintains inventory of departmental supplies and initiates requests for new or additional materials.
5. Answers the telephone, provides information, takes messages and/or directs calls as appropriate.
6. Responds to requests for information or assistance.
7. Attends meetings, hearings and conferences.
8. Provides on-call coverage as needed.

Mental Health Therapist II

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other related duties may be required and assigned.

1. Performs primary intensive therapy services with patients or clients and their relatives.
2. Provides evaluation of problems presented, recommendations of services needed, and development/implementation of treatment plans.
3. Determines eligibility for mental health assessments, initiates assessments and prepares written assessments.
4. Participates in psychotherapy program with psychiatric staff team.
5. Confers with other staff members, psychiatrists, community agencies, school officials, probation officers, and others to exchange information and implement treatment plans.
6. Interprets and explains to clients, relatives, and community groups the social and emotional factors pertaining to illness.
7. Refers patients or clients to appropriate community agencies.
8. Evaluates new techniques for dealing with emotional and environmental problems.
9. Prepares social case histories with particular emphasis upon psycho-social factors affecting the patient or client.
10. Prepares and/or generates various correspondence and documentation.
11. Reviews various documentation and processes, forwards, or takes other action as appropriate.
12. Maintains departmental files and records.
13. Provides on-call coverage as needed.

MARGINAL DUTIES

1. Maintains inventory of departmental supplies and initiates requests for new or additional materials.
2. Answers the telephone, provides information, takes messages and/or directs calls as appropriate.
3. Responds to requests for information or assistance.
4. Attends meetings and hearings.
5. Oversees the work of other staff members as assigned.

Mental Health Therapist III

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other related duties may be required and assigned.

1. Assumes independent program responsibility for planning and implementing treatment activities such as assessment, referral, counseling and other treatment services.
2. Coordinates such activities with other aspects of the department and with other agencies.
3. Participates in developing program goals.
4. Supervises, trains and directs lower level professional and technical classes as assigned.
5. Performs case work reviews with patients or clients and their relatives.
6. May provide individual and group therapy within family groups.
7. Participates in the evaluation of problems presented, recommendation of services needed, and development/implementation of treatment plans.
8. Confers with other staff members, psychiatrists, community agencies, school officials, probation officers, and others to exchange information and implement treatment plans.
9. Provides education and training to parents, community organizations and others.
10. Interprets and explains to clients, relatives, and community groups the social and emotional factors pertaining to illness.
11. Refers patients or clients to appropriate community agencies.
12. Evaluates new techniques for dealing with emotional and environmental problems.
13. Supervises and performs preparation of social case histories with particular emphasis upon psycho-social factors affecting the patient or client.
14. Prepares case documentation.
15. Prepares and/or generates various correspondence and documentation.
16. Reviews various documentation and processes, forwards, or takes other action as appropriate.
17. Maintains departmental files and records.
18. Responds to requests for information or assistance.
19. Attends meetings, hearings and conferences.
20. Prepares and processes case information for mediation and fair hearing presentation.
21. Testifies in court as needed.
22. Represents the agency at judicial review hearings; makes presentations on patient detention and case planning; makes treatment recommendations.
23. Represents the agency to other community agencies.
24. Provides on-call coverage as needed.

MARGINAL DUTIES

1. Maintains inventory of departmental supplies and initiates requests for new or additional materials.
2. Answers the telephone, provides information, takes messages and/or directs calls as appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Mental Health Therapist I
Knowledge of: Principles of social work; counseling, casework and other techniques of social work; social aspects of mental and emotional disturbances; new techniques, trends and advances in the profession; standard office equipment; and clerical activities related to an organization's programs and operations.

Ability to: Apply casework skills effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; secure and record accurate and pertinent social and personal data; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; operate standard office equipment; and operate a motor vehicle.

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in social work, counseling, psychology, psychiatric nursing, or a related field. Some experience in Behavioral Health or other social services is desired.

License or Certificate: Applicants must be registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor or Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. Incumbents are required to obtain licensure within six (6) years of hire. Incumbents who fail to maintain registration are subject to dismissal from employment or transfer/demotion to an appropriate position at the discretion of the department head.

Applicants who are enrolled in a Ph.D. or Psy.D. program in clinical psychology from an accredited college or university and have successfully completed all of their required coursework at the time of application submission may be substituted for an intern number as set forth by the Board of Psychology and the California Department of Health Care Services (transcripts to show successful completion of coursework must be attached to the application). Such applicants would be subjected to the County's ability to provide proper "Supervised Professional Experience" as specified in the California Business and Professions Code. Additionally, such applicants would be required to meet the licensure requirements as set by the Board of Psychology within five years. An Ed.D and five (5) years of behavioral health experience and on licensure track as a Psychologist may be substituted for the Ph.D. or Psy.D. Incumbents who fail to obtain licensure within five (5) years of employment are subject to dismissal from employment or transfer/demotion to an appropriate position at the discretion of the department head.
Those applicants holding out-of-state licenses as Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCC's and LMFTs must apply for licensure with the California Board of Psychology or the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners and apply for a waiver through the California Department of Health Care Services. Such applicants would be required to obtain licensure within three years of employment. Incumbents who fail to obtain licensure within three (3) years of employment are subject to dismissal from employment or transfer/demotion to an appropriate position at the discretion of the department head.

Waivers may be obtained pursuant to Chapter 712, Statutes of 1995 and any regulatory requirements of the California Department of Health Care Services.

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