Positions in this class are responsible for conducting psychiatric examinations and evaluations, making psychiatric diagnosis, applying psychiatric treatment, and providing medical supervision and medication management for a wide variety of mental health clients. Incumbents provide on-call, after hours and weekend consultation for the Detention Facilities and other programs as needed.

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

Graduation from an approved medical school and satisfactory completion of a three year psychiatric residency approved by the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association.  

Special Requirements: Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority. Possession of a valid Physician and Surgeon's License issued by the State of California.  If licensed in another state, candidates may participate in the recruitment and examination process, however, possession of a valid Physician and Surgeon’s License issued by the State of California is required at the time of appointment.  

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of psychiatry; uses and effects of medication in psychiatric and related conditions and individual and group psychotherapy. Working knowledge of current developments in the field of psychiatry; mental health services, organization and procedures and principles and applications of clinical psychology, psychiatric work and various rehabilitative services.  

Ability to: Make expert psychiatric diagnoses, interpretations and recommendations; provide effective medical therapy for the full range of mental illness; establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative, medical and non-medical staff, clients and the public; prepare clear and concise reports; maintain a variety of records and reports pertaining to medical and non-medical services; testify in court; analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action; conduct in-service training programs and learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer.

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 exam, 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.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
VACATION - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years. Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 12.5 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 health plans.  For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may pay for dependents.
RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY – PERS 2% @ 55 retirement plan.  County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $50,000 term policy.  Employee may purchase supplemental life insurance.
LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN - County paid plan.  Plan will pay 66-2/3% of the first $13,500 of the pre-disability earnings (a maximum monthly benefit of $9,000).
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
EMPLOYEE/FAMILY CREDIT UNION - Offers systematic savings and low interest loans.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER - Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and Night Shift Differential.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 or Personnel Department, 1430 Freedom Blvd, Suite 101, Watsonville, CA, 95076.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. 

Women, minorities 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.  Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.  

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM: The County provides a subsidy of up to 25% of the purchase of a home in the unincorporated County to assist income eligible, first-time homebuyers.  The maximum home price is $425,000.  Contact the County of Santa Cruz Planning Department at (831) 454-2336 for program information and qualifications. 

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer