Senior Client Support Specialist - Full-Time and Part-Time



Senior Client Support Specialist - Full-Time and Part-Time

Salary

$62,237.92 - $75,658.10 Annually

Location

Santa Rosa, CA

Job Type

Do Not Use, no longer valid Full-Time/Part-Time

Job Number

21/06-2470-O

Department

Department of Health Services (DHS)

Opening Date

06/25/2021

Closing Date

7/12/2021 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

75

Position Information

Join the Department of Health Services' Behavioral Health Division
 as a Full-Time or Part-Time Senior Client Support Specialist!

Starting salary up to $35.27/hour ($73,612.72/year), a cash allowance of $600/month, and a competitive total compensation package!* 
 
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, Senior Client Support Specialists gather initial information for a client evaluation to develop and implement crisis/urgent intervention and treatment plans. In close collaboration with licensed staff, Senior Client Support Specialists provide a variety of case management, treatment planning, and rehabilitation support services to adult and juvenile clients, including transportation, placement assistance, advocacy, referrals, and assistance with daily living and other client support services.
 
Senior Client Support Specialists act as a linkage between clients and resources in the community including rehabilitation and housing, provide education on coping skills, build rapport, and provide mental and physical health support. They also partner to link the client with the psychiatrist and nurses, and complete re-assessments for level of strengths and needs.. Specialists provide essential work of crisis and suicide risk evaluations, de-escalation, and interventions to reduce risks of hospitalization or incarceration.
 
In youth services, these positions facilitate collaborative treatment planning meetings with clients, family members, service providers, and other members of a youth’s support network. Additionally, Senior Client Support Specialists collaborate with other client-serving agencies to ensure the most supportive environment for each client. Some assignments may require the ability to work irregular hours and days, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

The ideal candidates will possess:

  • Experience working with high-risk populations and individuals diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance use disorders
  • Experience providing mental health outreach services in a community setting, including advocacy, information and referral, case management, and crisis intervention
  • A proven track record of working with evidence-based practices
  • Familiarity with recovery philosophy and trauma-informed care
  • The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment 
  • Prior success at establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with all stakeholders, including families and clients
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to interact with a diverse customer base
  • The ability to be a team player and work independently
  • Empathy, positivity, and patience
What We Offer
 
The County offers excellent opportunities for career growth and the ability to become a contributing force in strengthening our community. You can also look forward to benefits* which include:
  • An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
  • Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
  • Significant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan options
  • County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
  • Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
  • May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
  • Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
This recruitment is being conducted to fill two full-time and one part-time (20 hours per week) position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. 
  
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Engineers and Scientists of California Union Local 20 Memorandum of Understanding (ESC MOU) and our Employee Benefits directory.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Possession of a Bachelor Degree with significant coursework in community mental health, psychology, sociology, mental health or other closely related field of study. Experience as a Client Support Specialist, or the equivalent, may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
OR
Four years of paid experience working with adults diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness or children diagnosed with serious emotional disturbances that included independent interviewing, client plan development, and interventions in potentially destabilizing situations.
OR
Possession of current licensure in the State of California as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician and 2 years experience working with adults diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental or emotional condition, or with children diagnosed with serious emotional disturbances that included independent interviewing, client plan development, and interventions in potentially destabilizing situations.

Driver’s License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Special Qualifications: Some positions may require the ability to speak and write fluently a language other than English.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working Knowledge of: Community resources and services available to program clients; principles and techniques of case management and rehabilitative interventions; client legal rights; interviewing techniques, clinical and case management documentation; basic principles of individual and group behavior; principles and techniques of intervention in potentially destabilizing situations; counseling and basic interaction techniques related to the treatment of mentally or emotionally disturbed individuals; techniques and methods for overseeing and directing the daily activities of mentally and emotionally disturbed individuals; and the use of electronic information equipment and specific systems as used within the department.

Ability to: Develop and maintain the trust and cooperation of clients, their families and other significant care providers; interpret and apply County mental health program policies and procedures; analyze a client’s situation accurately and adopt an effective course of action; work with clients to resolve conflicts with other staff, care providers or family members; work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; understand the legal mandates governing the storage of client records and information and the rights of the client to confidentiality; understand and apply the principles and techniques of case management and rehabilitative interventions with clients; effectively coordinate the delivery of mental health services; conduct basic interviews and counseling sessions and facilitate groups; communicate effectively with persons from a variety of social, cultural and economic backgrounds; evaluate situations and adopt effective course of action to prevent a crisis; identify and mobilize resources to meet client needs; speak and write in a manner necessary to fulfill job requirements; read, interpret, and apply complex regulations and reports.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

  • Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
  • You should list all your employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
  • You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
  • Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.
 
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses which state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
 
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
 
An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination(weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.
Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment.  Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation.  Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy.  Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position.  If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted on-line at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement.  Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need. 

HR Analyst: DP
HR Technician: KC

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
 
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
 
Health Plan: Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County contribution towards the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit. For specific details, please refer to the applicable MOU). A County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement is available for some bargaining units.

Cash Allowance: A cash allowance of approximately $600 per month, in addition to monthly salary.
 
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.
 
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
 
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
 
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

01
How did you first learn about this opportunity?
  • CalJobs
  • CareerBuilder
  • Careers in Government
  • College or University
  • Craigslist
  • Employee of Sonoma County
  • Facebook
  • Glassdoor
  • GovernmentJobs.com
  • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Sonoma County
  • Indeed
  • Job Fair
  • La Voz
  • Latino Service Providers
  • LinkedIn
  • Los Cien
  • Minority Organization or Group
  • Monster
  • Press Democrat
  • sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
  • Sonoma County Human Resources Office
  • Sonoma County Job Line
  • Twitter
  • Workplace Diversity
  • Other Internet Site
  • Other Publication
02
Please indicate if you would also be interested in future part-time or extra-help (temporary, intermittent, or seasonal employment) positions should they become available. Check all that apply.
  • I would also like to be considered for future part-time positions.
  • I would also like to be considered for future extra-help positions.
  • I am only interested in full-time positions.
03
This eligible list may be used for future bilingual (English/Spanish) positions. Please indicate if you are interested in bilingual positions and your level of proficiency.
  • Yes, I have basic (conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
  • Yes, I have fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
  • No, I do not have English/Spanish bilingual skills or I do not wish to be considered for bilingual (English/Spanish) positions
04
Are you willing to work any shift assignments, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays?
  • Yes
  • No
05
Do you possess a valid current California Class C Driver's License?
  • Yes
  • No
06
Please detail your coursework in community mental health, psychology, sociology, or other closely related fields. List the number of units completed and any degrees earned.
07
Please describe your experience working with adults diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness or children diagnosed with serious emotional disturbances. For each position, include:
  • Employer's name
  • Dates of employment (mm/yr to mm/yr)
  • Your job title
  • A description of your duties
08
Please describe your experience developing intervention and treatment plans and advocating on behalf of clients. Detail your role and responsibilities.

Required Question

Agency
County of Sonoma (CA)
Address
575 Administration Drive, Suite 116B

Santa Rosa, California, 95403
Phone
(707) 565-2331