COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AIDE

County of Santa Cruz
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AIDE

Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Candidates Encouraged to Apply

Open and Promotional

Job # 25-NM3-01

Salary: $5,042 – 6,349 / Month

Closing Date: Friday, December 5, 2025

County Equity Statement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every status,
providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.

Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering an
environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

THE JOB: Under supervision, to provide non-professional mental health services in a variety of settings and
perform other work as required. The eligible list established will be used to fill current and future vacancies
during the life of the eligible list. There are currently two vacancies for this position:

The current position is with the Medication Assisted Treatment Program at our health centers and street
medicine team. This position will be responsible for serving patients in the field primarily. The ideal candidate
will be a person with lived experience, able to build rapport quickly and work with some of the most
stigmatized and marginalized populations. Candidates are encouraged to apply that are registered as a
SUD counselor or certified SUD counselor.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge
and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

One year of non-professional experience in a mental health program or facility which involved direct client
or patient contact. Substitution: The equivalent of 15 semester units of college credit in a behavioral science,
social science or a closely related field may be substituted for up to six months of the required experience.

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Apply online at: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Special Requirements/Conditions: License Requirement: Possession and maintenance of a valid California
Class C Driver License or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing
authority, is required for some positions. Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required. Special
Working Conditions: Exposure to: All assignments: Exposure to offensive odors such as unwashed people
and clothes, human and animal feces; the possibility of infections which may cause chronic disease or
death; hostile or violent individuals; and may be exposed to cigarette smoke. Juvenile Hall and
Acute/Emergency Services assignments: Exposure to noise, such as people yelling. Children’s Service
assignment: Exposure to disturbing material, such as photos of abused children; allergens such as poison
oak, insect stings or bites, and pollens. Some positions may require lifting objects such as boxes of
belongings weighing up to fifty pounds. Note: Persons in this classification may be assigned to positions with
any of the above working conditions on an emergency, as needed basis. Other Special Requirements: Work
situations may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of non-professional mental health intervention principles and techniques
used in building social, recreation and living enhancement skills. Some knowledge of group participation
techniques and community resources.

Ability to: Communicate verbally with children and adults with mental illness or emotional disturbance and
their families; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; provide outreach to a diverse
population; maintain patient records and other related documents; facilitate basic, non-professional mental
health services in a variety of settings; assist mental health staff with implementation of service plans; apply
basic principles of health and human services; learn to input and access information utilizing a computer;
drive a vehicle to safely transport clients; distinguish speech and non-speech sounds in noisy environments;
intervene and diffuse situations involving combative clients including active restraint when needed; stand
and walk for extended periods of time may be required for some positions.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have
met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If
you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any
combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and
experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components
of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or
fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced
examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months, and your overall score will be based upon an
evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to
administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on
the eligible list.
HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application to: Santa Cruz
County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information,
call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in
the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight
of the final filing date.

Women, and people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability
that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new
employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation
and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County
contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA
Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit is determined by final average
compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability
Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have
their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to
cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

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