Behavioral Health Specialist III - Multiple Locations

Salary : $47,278.13 - $71,729.18 Annually

Location : Throughout Riverside County

Job Type : Regular

Job Number : 25-79751-NP-02

Department : Behavioral Health

Opening Date : 06 / 05 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Riverside University Health Systems - Behavioral Health department is currently recruiting for Behavioral Health Specialist III. This posting will serve to fill multiple Behavioral Health Specialist III vacancies throughout Riverside County.

Applications to this posting will be valid for up to 90 days.

Under general supervision, teams with behavioral health professionals in planning and providing behavioral health services; provides general counseling, case management, community outreach, and prevention services; and performs other related duties as required.

The Behavioral Health Specialist III is the journey level classification in the Behavioral Health Specialist series and reports to a supervisory or mid-level manager position. Incumbents team with behavioral health professionals in the provision of client or participant treatment and prevention services to directly assist clients or participants in the utilization of appropriate community resources, provide education and information to the community, and provide support, encouragement, advocacy, and related services in order to assist the client or participant in coping with immediate situations with no attempt to modify or change the consumer's personality structure.

Additional differentials may be available.

Candidates are required to be registered or certified at date of application as an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor and to have a valid Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) certification or registration in accordance with the certification requirements as pursuant to Sections 11755, 11864, 11876 (a), and 11834.50 of the California Health and Safety Code and Sections 9846, 10125 and 10564 of the California Code of Regulations through either the California Consortium of Addictions Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) or the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs or Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California (ACCBC).

A valid CA Driver's License is required.

Meet the Team!

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Interview, evaluate, and counsel clients relative to alcoholism or drug abuse.
• Refer clients to County operated and / or community treatment facilities (e.g., detoxification centers, hospitals, recovery homes, residential treatment programs, or DUI program providers).
• Provide individual and group counseling sessions for clients and their families affected by substance abuse.
• Participate in joint County-community agency efforts in providing educational and prevention services to control and prevent substance abuse.
• Under direct supervision, monitor and evaluate program providers and determine compliance with program requirements; assist in planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing program design within the program; assist in resolving crises for clients and their families.
• Participate in substance abuse treatment and prevention programs; conduct community visits to assist substance abuse clients and their families achieve success in the program.
• Monitor client's course after discharge to ensure continuum of care and provide for adjustment.
• Under supervision, may monitor a variety of County and state mandated program providers by conducting site visits and record reviews to ensure compliance with County and state mandates.
• Assist in making preliminary recommendations as to the appropriateness and quality of treatment and prevention services; may analyze new and current legislation on the delivery of program services.
• Provide educational presentations on the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
• Prepare and maintain records, reports, and correspondence regarding substance abuse cases; maintain records on client case work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPTION I Experience : One year of providing individual or group counseling to individuals in a substance abuse treatment program / facility, which must have included responsibility for assessing, evaluating and making referrals, either individually or as part of a team led by a substance abuse or medical professional, for substance abuse clients.

Certificate : Incumbents are required to be registered by the date of hire with an Alcohol and Other Drug certification in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 11833(b)(1).

OPTION II Certificate : Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor Certification.

ALL OPTIONS Knowledge of : Basic principles and practices involved in improving behavioral health; laws, rules and regulations governing a public substance abuse agency; counseling techniques applicable to substance abuse treatment and prevention; social, cultural, psychological, and economic factors relating to substance abuse; public agency, community resources, community based support systems, and their functions; use of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) screening criteria for consumer placement into appropriate levels of care; providing appropriate services for consumers with co-occurring SUD and MH disorders; tenets of providing trauma-informed care; medications used for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services; laws and ethics involved in the provision of substance use services.

Ability to : Work effectively with a variety of different agencies, organizations and individuals; interview and evaluate clients experiencing substance abuse problems; counsel and guide clients toward independence from substance abuse; assess and monitor program providers and develop recommendations; communicate effectively in verbal and written form; assist in the development and implementation of new ideas, methods and programs related to substance abuse treatment and substance abuse prevention; match multidimensional severity and level of function with type and intensity of service; provide integrated services.

Experience : One year providing direct evidence-based prevention services in a recognized substance abuse prevention program.

ALL OPTIONS

Knowledge of : Basic principles and practices involved in improving behavioral health; laws, rules, and regulations governing a public substance abuse agency; counseling techniques applicable to substance abuse treatment and prevention; social, cultural, psychological, and economic factors relating to substance abuse; public agency, community resources, community based support systems, and their functions.

Ability to : Work effectively with a variety of different agencies, organizations, and individuals; interview and evaluate clients experiencing substance abuse problems; counsel and guide clients toward independence from substance abuse; assess and monitor program providers and develop recommendations; communicate effectively in verbal and written form; assist in the development and implementation of new ideas, methods, and programs related to substance abuse treatment and substance abuse prevention.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

For questions regarding this recruitment contact the recruiter, Nicole Prado : nprado@rivco.org

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference

The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here :

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and / or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at :

Proof of Education

If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official / unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and / or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ().

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period

As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency / department head.

General Information

Current County of Riverside and / or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience / education is reflected on your application / resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the ' Apply ' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site,

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

MEDICAL / DENTAL / VISION INSURANCE : A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note : Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list

MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT : County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

A new member is defined as any of the following :

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note :

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,

Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION : Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual) :

10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE : Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS : Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE : Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE : Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY :

Employees contribute to State Disability Insurance (SDI), which provides wage replacement benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. SDI also includes Paid Family Leave Benefits. The wage replacement rate is determined by current law, offering 60-70% of the wages earned during the SDI eligibility period.

Additionally, employees receive employer-paid Long-Term Disability Benefits, which cover 66.67% of pre-disability earnings, up to a maximum of $10,000 per month. There is a 365-day waiting period before these benefits become active. Employees may coordinate these benefits with other available leave balances to receive up to 100% of their regular pay.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION : A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER : There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

01

Do you possess a valid California's Class C Driver License?

02

Are you a current regular employee with the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) - Behavioral Health

03

What is your highest level of education with major course work in social welfare, sociology, social / human services, psychology, or other behavioral sciences?

04

Do you possess a Registration OR certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 11833(b)(1)?

05

How many years of experience do you have providing individual or group counseling to individuals in a substance abuse treatment program / facility.

06

How many years of experience do you have with working with people with dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders (substance use and mental health disorders)?

07

I acknowledge that I am required to provide proof of my degree or a copy of my transcript(s) as verification of educational units completed. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation.

08

If you possess a Registration or Certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor please list the Agency name, type of certification, and the expiration date. i.e. CCAPP CADC-I C11111111 Exp 10-24-2020

09

If you have a NPI Number please provide it below. If you do not have a NPI number please write N / A

10

Do you fluently speak and write in Spanish?

Required Question