What are the responsibilities and job description for the Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist II position at Alameda County?
Introduction
THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended.
Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.
Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted online.
Qualified bilingual persons who speak English and are also fluent in: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Korean, Mien, Tagalog, Amharic, Farsi, Dari, Tigrigna, Russian, Romanian or Sign Languages are especially encouraged to apply. There is an additional biweekly compensation for persons in positions designated bilingual. Qualified candidates may be tested to demonstrate language proficiency.
DESCRIPTION
THE COUNTY
Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California's seventh-largest county. The County employs 9,700 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $3.4 billion. Oakland, the County seat, is California's eighth-largest city. One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities, and rural areas. As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens. The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles. The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities, and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.
Alameda County Health is the local government agency that promotes and protects the health and well-being of all who live, work, learn, and play in Alameda County. We coordinate services and cultivate partnerships with community organizations and providers to help ensure access, organize, and deliver health care and services to people with Medi-Cal and without insurance, support resilient communities, and improve health for all. We focus on health equity by developing programs and systemic solutions that reduce disparities for the people and communities we serve.
Alameda County Health’s departments and programs focus on services and support that provide care for the whole person.
The Behavioral Health Department provides mental health and substance use services for people with Medi-Cal and without insurance and supports people along their path to wellness, recovery, and resilience.
The Environmental Health Department works to keep our air, water, and food safe; it regulates, protects, and promotes the health of everyone in Alameda County by enforcing environmental health codes to reduce exposure to toxins and diseases.
The Public Health Department focuses on community and population-level health, preventing and addressing root causes of health inequity across a range of communicable and chronic diseases.
Alameda County Health also provides services through Housing and Homelessness Services, Emergency Medical Services Agency, HealthPAC, and Healthy Schools and Communities.
For more information about the Behavioral Health Department, please visit www.acbhcs.org.
For more detailed information about the job classification, please visit: Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist II (#6513).
- Effectively partner with multidisciplinary teams; law enforcement, EMS, emergency rooms, other county service teams, Community Based Organization (CBO) partners, etc.
- Work in the field 75 % or more of the time and effectively carry out duties at non-traditional hours and in a variety of settings, climates, and weather.
- Possess excellent time management skills: able to prioritize and multi-task.
- Be technologically savvy: able to use iPads, smart phones, laptops, etc. in a field setting to complete required documentation and research client information; demonstrated competency in completing electronic health record keeping.
- Provide crisis intervention services in the field to diverse communities and across the children transitional age youth, adults and older adults life span.
- Have significant crisis de-escalation skills and training.
- Understand clinical scope of practice and when to consult.
- Think analytically, quickly reach a disposition, and articulate the reason for any given intervention/disposition.
- Share expertise and knowledge with colleagues demonstrated by active participation in meetings and occasionally providing trainings.
- Effectively address conflict/disagreements/differences of opinions in a collaborative manner.
- Remain calm in high intensity/high risk situations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Welfare and Institutions Code 5150 and 5585.
- Crisis intervention techniques and theories.
- Current theories, principles, and practices for services to clients with serious behavioral health care symptoms and diagnosis.
- Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology.
- Cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns.
- Wellness, recovery, and resiliency-oriented strategies and supports.
- Dual recovery/co-occurring disorder treatment, screening, and assessment tools.
- Community needs, resources, and organizations related to behavioral health care.
- Clinical standards of practice and licensure requirements.
- Principles and practices of direct client service delivery.
- Principles of social needs, problems, attitudes, and behavioral patterns.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
- Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
- Computer applications related to the work.
- Work primarily in the field.
- Perform crisis intervention and individual counseling.
- Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, community resources, and organizations.
- Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
- Interpret, explain, and apply regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Analyze, evaluate, and make sound decisions.
- Prepare clear, accurate, and effective reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Work with a diverse population.
EXAMINATION COMPONENTS
To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, hrs.alamedacountyca.gov.
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PLAN:
Deadline For Filing:
5:00:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Review of Minimum Qualifications
Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified
November 5, 2025
November 20-26, 2025
Virtual Pre-recorded Civil Service Oral Examination:
Virtual Oral Examination Ratings:
Results Notification:
Promulgation of Eligible List:
December 3-12, 2025
December 15-19, 2025
Week of December 29, 2025
TBD
TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:
Departmental Hiring Interviews:
TBD
For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, https://hrs.alamedacountyca.gov/reasonable-accommodation/
BENEFITS
The County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall wellbeing. These benefits include but are not limited to*:
For your Health & Well-Being
- Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
- Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
- Vision or Vision Reimbursement
- Share the Savings
- Basic Life Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- County Allowance Credit
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Long-Term Care, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
- Employee Assistance Program
For your Financial Future
- Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
- Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
For your Work/Life Balance
- 12 paid holidays
- Floating Holidays
- Vacation and sick leave accrual
- Vacation purchase program
- Catastrophic Sick Leave
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Guaranteed Ride Home
- Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
- Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
- Child Care Resources
- 1st United Services Credit Union
- Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.
Conclusion
(510) 272-6468 • nicole.lewis-bolton@acgov.org
hrs.alamedacountyca.gov
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.
Salary : $122,207 - $144,066