Salary : $45,459.65 - $68,970.30 Annually
Location : Throughout Riverside County
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 24-79751-EM-02-All Locations
Department: Behavioral Health
Opening Date: 04/18/2024
ABOUT THE POSITION
* New 5.5% salary differential above base hourly rate**
This posting will be used to fill Behavioral Health Specialist III vacancies throughout multiple regions of Riverside County (including Blythe). An updated resume and transcripts/degree must be uploaded at time of application in order to be considered for any positions.
Applications to this posting will be valid for up to 90 days.
The Riverside University Health Systems - Behavioral Health department is currently recruiting for multiple Behavioral Health Specialist III positions throughout Riverside County. As positions become available, the recruiter will review applications and refer applicants on an individual basis should they meet the department's requirements.
The work schedule for these positions vary per department and may be different from one another.
A valid CADL is required. The Behavioral Health Specialist III will be expected to use motivational enhanced techniques when performing multidimensional Substance Use screenings with clients. The incumbents for these positions will make referrals and work with contracted providers so that clients can receive the appropriate level of care.

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).
The certification list generated from this recruitment will be used to fill multiple mission-critical Behavioral Health Specialist III vacancies that may occur in the coming weeks throughout Riverside County.

Meet the Team!
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. The Behavioral Health Specialist series differs from the Clinical Therapist series in that the latter, due to advanced education and experience, uses independent judgment in making diagnoses, developing treatment plans, and providing a wide range and variety of behavioral health services including psychotherapy.
The Behavioral Health Specialist III is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Specialist II class by the former's assignment of primary case responsibilities in the Substance Abuse Program and the specialized knowledge and skills required to work with alcoholics, drug abusers, and other substance abusers, and to deliver effective prevention services. This class is further distinguished by the responsibility of providing one or more types of client services, including screening and referral to a variety of substance abuse programs, substance abuse counseling, community outreach, and prevention activities.
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

Other Requirements
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.
Veterans' Preference:
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) 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. See the policy 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). If you are a qualified individual and need a reasonable accommodation to take this exam, contact the recruiter before taking the exam. For additional information and the accommodation form, visit the Disability Access Office web page at:
Pre-Employment :
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).
Employment Documents:
Upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. 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. ().
What's Next?
This recruitment is open to all applicants. Applicants who are current County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the County of Riverside's RUHS may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received.
Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.
Application Period:
BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. All applicants must submit a complete application by the closing date of this recruitment. No late applications will be permitted. Include relevant work experience details on resume and/or application. Applicants who fail to provide information demonstrating they possess the position requirements may not be considered further in the application process. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Applications will be reviewed in the order of when it was received
Questions: For further information regarding this posting, contact the recruiter:
Edgar Manzo at : emcardenas@Rivco.org
GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
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).

• Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
• Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
• Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.

A new member is defined as any of the following:

1. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
2. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
3. A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

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):
0 < 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4 < 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
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: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
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 fluently read, speak, and write in Spanish?

• Yes
• No

02

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

• Yes
• No

03

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

• Yes
• No

04

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

• None of these
• I have my Associates degree
• I have my Bachelors degree
• I have my Masters degree
• I have my Doctorate degree

05

Please rate your computer skills

• Low
• Average
• Excellent

06

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)?

• None
• Registered AOD Counselor
• Certified AOD Counselor

07

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

• No experience
• Less than six months
• Six months, to less than one year
• One year, but less than two years
• Two years, but less than three years
• Three years, but less than four years
• Four years, but less than five years
• Five years, but less than six years
• Six years or more

08

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)?

• None
• Less than six months
• Six months, to less than one year
• One year, but less than two years
• Two years, but less than three years
• Three years, but less than four years
• Four years, but less than five years
• Five years, but less than six years

09

Please indicate the location(s) you are interested in:

• Western Region (Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley)
• Southern Region (Lake Elsinore, Temecula, Murrieta)
• Mid-county Region (Hemet, Perris, San Jacinto)
• Desert Region (Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, Desert Hot Springs)

10

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.

• Yes
• No

11

I acknowledge that I am required to upload a resume as verification of experience and/or educational units completed prior to the closing date of the job posting in order to be considered for the position.

• Yes
• No

12

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
13

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