Community Mental Health Worker

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH OF

THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY DEPARTMENT

ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2024

SKILLS OR EXPERIENCES LISTED UNDER THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

STATEMENT MAY ALSO BE USED TO SCREEN APPLICATIONS

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING 

POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE 

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: DECEMBER 04, 2024 AT 9:00 AM

SALARY INFORMATION

$2,971 – $3,793 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $17.14 – $21.88 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

*Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases* Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous.

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with communities to protect and improve the health and well-being of Shasta County residents. Established in 2006, the HHSA is organized into four branches: Behavioral Health & Social Services, Public Health, Economic Mobility, with a centralized Administration Services. The HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill and those without resources look to the HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety. This transformation improves efficiency, avoids unnecessary duplication of effort, encourages collaboration among programs and organizes the HHSA’s services to be more responsive to the needs of the public.

Adult Services focuses on issues that affect people eighteen and older. Adult mental health services include outpatient mental health care, 24-hour crisis stabilization services for people at risk of hospitalization, 24-hour crisis residential services, long-term placement services and referrals to local non-profit organizations that provide additional services. This branch also provides Adult Protective Services to follow-up on elder abuse reports. In-Home Supportive Services help those who need assistance with daily activities in order to remain safely in their own homes, and the Public Authority keeps a registry that helps In-Home Supportive Services recipients find a screened caregiver to provide those services. The Public Guardian helps citizens who are unable to manage their personal and financial affairs and may require guardianship or conservatorship. Mental Health Services Act administration is also housed in the Adult Services Branch.

Crisis Residential & Recovery Center provides short term respite for mentally disabled adults who have become suicidal, critically depressed, or otherwise psychiatrically incapacitated. The center serves as a social rehabilitation facility, and services avert the need for hospitalization. Stays are voluntary for up to 30 days. Services include daily groups focused on wellness and recovery, coping skills, medication treatment, education, daily living activities, peer support, and other topics as needed.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Community Mental Health Worker in the Transition, Admission, and Discharge (TAD) office plays a critical role in supporting individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in the emergency department. This position focuses on coordinating care by linking individuals to appropriate inpatient psychiatric facilities and ensuring continuity of care through effective discharge planning and follow-up support. Responsibilities include assessing and prioritizing the needs of individuals in crisis, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to determine suitable placements, and liaising with inpatient facilities to secure timely admissions based on clinical and social needs. The worker collaborates with the county discharge planners and inpatient teams to develop and implement discharge plans that connect clients to community resources, outpatient services, and ongoing support. Additionally, the worker maintains accurate and timely documentation of all client interactions and care coordination efforts while building relationships with local emergency department staff, county mental health programs, and social support agencies to enhance care options. This position strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in high-pressure environments. The role is vital for improving outcomes for individuals in crisis by ensuring timely access to appropriate care and fostering successful reintegration into the community.  This position will require working a shift that includes evenings and a weekend day.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Community Mental Health Worker is a paraprofessional class and is distinguished from licensed and case management personnel in that the Community Mental Health Worker does not assume primary responsibility for Mental Health or Substance Abuse clients. The Community Mental Health Worker performs a variety of less complex functions in the Mental Health Department which do not require the skill and training of a Mental Health professional or case manager.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for the Community Mental Health Worker position in the TAD office is compassionate, organized, and able to remain calm and flexible in the midst of frequently changing task demands. Proficiency in administrative tasks, including the use of phones, fax machines, and computer programs for documentation and communication, is essential. The candidate excels in building collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams, inpatient facilities, and community resources to ensure timely placements and effective discharge planning. They demonstrate exceptional communication and problem-solving abilities, are comfortable working in high-pressure environments, and are deeply committed to improving outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health crises through seamless care transitions and access to appropriate support systems.

The Health & Human Services Agency of Shasta County is committed to providing fair and equal access to services. If you share this same commitment, desire a meaningful career serving the public, and want the opportunity to make a difference for your community, consider a career with us. We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and characteristics. The ideal candidate will be able to make an immediate positive impact on external and internal customers. With a professional attitude and appearance, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a desire for serving those in need while promoting community health and well-being. This individual will be a positive contributor to the site culture and exemplify the agency values of Collaboration, Adaptability, Respect and Excellence. We welcome a candidate who is interested in a fast-paced, team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Mental Health Clinic Assignment

Confers with inpatient and/or outpatient professional staff to evaluate needs and problems of clients; assist in scheduling routine and emergency appointments; performs crisis counseling on a regular basis; observes clients in individual and group settings to obtain information regarding basic Mental Health problems and related needs; records basic personal history and information; reviews referrals from other agencies in order to determine appropriate service; makes referrals and provides information to other Mental Health agencies. Schools and the Courts: provides related assistance to case manager and professional staff; participates in in-service training activities.

Mental Health Community Assignment

Transports or arranges transportation for various purposes such as to and from doctors and Mental Health appointments; shopping; assists clients to develop skills to enable them to transition into independent living environment; assist clients in learning to use social support programs and resources outside of the Mental Health system; under the direction of a case manager, makes home visits to monitor the level of client functioning; works as member of a treatment team to allow clients to live in the least restrictive setting; maintains records of work performed and prepares written reports; participates in in-service training activities.

Substance Abuse Program Assignments

Assists in initial intakes (processing of paperwork), in scheduling appointments, may observe clients in individual and group settings or consult with other staff in the program to obtain information regarding substance abuse problems and related needs, makes referrals, provides information to other mental health or substance abuse agencies, participates in group case consultations, individual supervision and in-service training activities. Supports the transportation and childcare for the Perinatal women in treatment to remove the barriers to women participating in treatment services.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Knowledge of: Basic interviewing and counseling techniques; and general medical and psychological terminology.

Ability to: Learn to understand and work effectively with mentally ill and substance abuse clients; learn to work with Mental Health professional, case managers, social service agencies and other staff; maintain confidentiality of information about clients; effectively handle patients in crisis situations; read and understand Mental Health charts; communicate rules and objective to clients; keep simple records and prepare written reports.

These employment standards are typically attained with the completion of 15 semester or 22 quarter college units in Behavioral or Social Sciences or closely related field, or two years of experience working in a mental health or related setting.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Possession of a valid California driver license.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. Have you completed 15 semesters or 22 quarter college units in Behavioral or Social Sciences or closely related field? If yes, please list the courses completed and the number of units earned for each course. If no, write “N/A”.
2. Do you have two (2) years of experience working in a mental health setting or related setting? If yes, please list the job title(s), dates of employment, and the job duties and how the setting is a mental health related setting. If no, please write “N/A”.
3. Do you have experience and proficiency with administrative tasks such as using phones, fax machines, and computer programs for documentation and communication? If yes, please describe. If no, please type, “N/A.”
4. Do you have experience interacting with individuals and/or their families when they are experiencing mental health crisis? If yes, please describe. If no, please type, “N/A.”
5. Do you possess a valid California driver license? Yes/No 
6. I acknowledge that if I answered "Yes" to any of the above questions, but did not give the requested additional information, my application may be considered incomplete and may be screened out. Yes/No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered. 
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing. 

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California – General Unit.  

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 9:00 a.m., on December 04, 2024. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

Veterans' Credit: Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran MUST provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) WITH THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL FILING DATE. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515

Salary : $35,652 - $45,516