Senior Client Support Specialist

Position Information

Join the County of Sonoma as a Senior Client Support Specialist and provide crucial support to individuals and families in our community!

Starting salary up to $46.58/hour ($97,218/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*
About the Position

The County of Sonoma seeks dedicated and skilled Senior Client Support Specialists (SCSS) to join the Department of Health Services across multiple critical community services programs. These positions offer a rewarding opportunity to work with individuals and families in our community. As a Senior Client Support Specialist, you will provide essential services in both crisis intervention and long-term support, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure clients receive the necessary care. Whether working in the call center, in the field, or in the office, you will be a key part of our crisis response efforts, ensuring timely, effective care for those in need. Additional duties may include:

• Providing treatment planning, rehabilitation services, and education on coping skills to clients and families
• Building rapport and establishing trusting relationships with clients, families, and clinical team members
• Linking clients and families with necessary community resources, including psychiatrists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals
• Supporting families and clients in navigating complex systems of care and their processes
• Conducting crisis evaluations, risk assessments, and de-escalation interventions to reduce risks of hospitalization, incarceration, and suicide
• Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams and community partners to ensure holistic care for clients
• Maintaining accurate clinical and case management documentation, using electronic health records and Microsoft Office applications
• Participating in regular re-assessments to evaluate client strengths and needs, adjusting care plans as necessary
• Working flexible hours, including evenings, overnights, and weekends, as part of a 24/7 program

As an ideal candidate to join our team, you will possess many of the following:

• Knowledge of de-escalation techniques, risk assessment, and crisis management in a variety of settings
• A deep commitment to supporting youth, adults, and families in navigating behavioral health challenges, with empathy and patience
• Experience connecting clients with community resources and services
• Comfort with learning new systems, including electronic health records (SmartCare), and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Understanding of legal mandates, confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance, while ensuring the protection of client information
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team, providing input, support, and feedback
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and build rapport with diverse populations, all while maintaining a compassionate and supportive demeanor
• Peer Support Specialist Certification is desired, but not required

Please note: Some positions are required to work evenings, overnights, holidays, and weekends due to the 24/7 program demands.

Program Information

While this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in different programs, we are including programs below that currently have open positions to fill.

The Mobile Support Team (MST) provides crisis response services 24/7/365 in our call center and in the community. These services include in-field crisis assessments, de-escalation and intervention, transportation, and coordination with providers.

The Family Advocacy, Stabilization, and Support Team (FASST) program completes reassessments, provides intensive community-based, family-centered specialty mental health services for children and youth who are at risk for out-of-home placement, and collaborates with community-based organizations to coordinate specialty mental health services (SMHS).

Transitional Recovery (TR) provides ongoing supervision and support to adults who require extended facility-based treatment, offering an opportunity to stabilize and prepare for community discharge. The team provides the highest level of care to the county’s at-risk behavioral health clients recovering in both locked and out-of-county treatment facilities, working diligently to support their recovery in the least restrictive environment.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - 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
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals and 12 paid holidays
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*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 .

This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple Senior Client Support Specialist positions in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future 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.

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 employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. 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 hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

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 a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that 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 which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the 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 is 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 online 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: SZ

HR Technician: RR

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 may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan : Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

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.

Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

Closing Date/Time: 3/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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