B.H. Specialist I/II/III chez County of San Luis Obispo, CA

About the Department

The Behavioral Health Department is seeking Behavioral Health Specialists. This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, temporary, substitute or limited term vacancies. 

Classes in this series provide a variety of outreach, prevention, evaluation, intervention, treatment, counseling, education and case management to clients of behavioral health services, including mental health and substance use disorders.  Services may occur in the community, schools, clinics, jail, juvenile hall, and inpatient settings.

Please join us for an information session about this position on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 12:00 PM. 
Click the link to join here: https://slohealth.zoom.us/j/81674450873?pwd=XAuPi5pDLcaYFwSHbTT2sKWcaNaMkj.1

B.H. Specialist assignments may be in the following divisions:

• Justice Services Division (primary recruitment) - provides case management and co-occurring treatment support for individuals who are at risk of being incarcerated or who have already entered the criminal justice system. Current openings include working with Community Actions Teams, jail in-reach programs, and clinic services.
• Drug & Alcohol Services Division - Specialist positions support outpatient treatment and case management needs in clinics countywide. Specialists provide individual and group counseling, Medi-Cal enrollment activities, resource referral, and a wide range of other duties in support of adults with substance use disorders.
• Other Divisions may seek Behavioral Health Specialists for prevention and outreach, access and intake activities, and/or projects related to specific behavioral health populations.

Position Duties

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Behavioral Health Specialist I:
Either A: Bachelor's degree a human social services/sciences or related health field;
Or B:Two (2) years post-secondary education in a human/social services or related health field and two (2) years experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience in education, recreation, social, human, or behavioral sciences or a related field;
Or C: High school diploma or equivalent AND four (4) years experience in other social service/substance use/mental health agency or related field;
Or D: Licensed Psychiatric Technician, Licensed Vocational Nurse, or Registered Nurse AND two (2) years experience in other social service/substance use/mental health agency or related field;
Or E: Current certification as a drug and alcohol treatment certificate or equivalent AND two (2) years experience in providing counseling/prevention services to persons with substance use related problems, or experience in other social service, substance use, or mental health agency services.
 
Behavioral Health Specialist II:
Either A: Master's degree program in a counseling or related field
Or B: Bachelors degree in a human social services/sciences or related health field,  and two (2) years of  experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services;
Or C: Two (2) years post-secondary education in a human/social services or related health field and Four (4) years experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services; or an equivalent combination of education and experience  in education, recreation, social, human, or behavioral sciences or a related field;
Or D: High school diploma or equivalent and a Licensed Psychiatric Technician, Licensed Vocational Nurse, or Registered Nurse, or a drug and alcohol treatment certificate or equivalent, AND four (4) years experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services;
Or E: two years of experience as a Behavioral Health Specialist I, or equivalent.

Behavioral Health Specialist III:
Either A: A Master's degree in a human social services or related behavioral or health science field and one (1) year experience in providing behavioral health prevention/counseling services;
Or B: Bachelors' degree (or equivalent related credits) in education, recreation, social, human, or behavioral sciences or a related field: AND three (3) years experience in social service, substance use and/or mental health or related field;
Or C: Two (2) years post-secondary education in education, recreation, social, human, or behavioral sciences or a related field AND five (5) years experience in a social service, substance use, mental health or related field;
Or D: A Licensed Psychiatric Technician, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse, or a drug and alcohol treatment certificate or equivalent AND five (5) years experience in a social service, substance use, mental health or related field.

If applicable, licensure must be held at time of application and maintained throughout employment.

Minimum Qualifications

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date.  To apply for this position, click "apply" at the top of this page. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.