Mental Health Specialist II -Bilingual Spanish

Recruitment #16-433300-B2

Introduction

Help us lead a team dedicated to mental health wellness and recovery!

Solano County's Mental Health Mission is to provide mental health services and supports in Solano County that are person-centered, safe, effective, efficient, timely and equitable, that are supported by friends and community, that promote wellness/recovery, and that fully incorporate shared decision making between consumers, family members and providers. 

To learn more about the Mental Health Services Division please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/mhs/default.asp 

The Position

The Mental Health Specialist II is a full journey level in this class series.  Incumbents work under the supervision or direction of professional staff and assist in the performance of casework duties in providing supportive counseling, rehabilitative services, including training in activities of daily living, identifying client needs, using community resources, assisting clients with immediate problems, and in client advocacy. Final disposition of cases is subject to review and approval by licensed supervisory and professional staff.
 
The work is characterized by the performance of para-professional casework within parameters established by licensed professional staff. Incumbents are expected to work independently, perform the full range of duties, and participate in multi-disciplinary evaluation team client assessments.  The Mental Health Specialist II class is distinguished from the Mental Health Specialist I class in that the latter class exercises less discretion in decision-making, performs a limited range of duties within clearly established parameters and plays a limited role in the treatment team consultations.  The Mental Health Specialist II class is further distinguished from the Crisis Specialist class in that the latter class primary assignment involves sustained and continuous crisis intervention in a crisis or institutional setting.

The eligible list created as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill part-time and full-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur of the need arises.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

EITHER I

One year of experience equivalent to the Mental Health Specialist I in Solano County.  

OR II  

Four years of experience in a private or governmental agency providing direct mental health related services to clients, which included identifying client mental health and/or substance dependence needs, using community resources, and client advocacy.   

Completion of all coursework from an accredited college or university required for an Associates degree or higher in a mental health related field preferably in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, counseling, or pastoral counseling or a closely related field may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis under pattern II.

To view the job description for this position, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15910

BENEFITS

Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage for the 2016 calendar year is $1,455.62 per month. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More coverage.

Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.   

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement and contributes to Social Security.    

The County observes 12 fixed, paid holidays per year.    

Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 3 years.

Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year.

Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years.

To view the benefits for a  regular position, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16514

Extra-help employees who work less than 29 hours per week do not typically receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment. All extra-help employees accrue .034 hours of Sick Leave for every full hour worked.

To view the benefits for an extra-help position, please visit: https://admin.solanocounty.com:4433/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=21216

Selection Process

01/06/2017 – Deadline to submit application and required documents.

01/09/2017 – Tentative week for scoring supplemental questions.

01/19/2017 – Tentative date of bilingual examination.

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced.

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

How to Apply

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (degree/transcripts, certificates, DD-214 if applicable, ADA Accommodation Request) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet, available on the employment website: http://www.jobaps.com/Solano/sup/doccover.pdf or at the Department of Human Resources’ office,  and are due by the final filing date.

Previously submitted application materials (i.e. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.

Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield 94533. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA

Document Submittal Requirements

An Associate's Degree or higher may be required for this position. All applicants are encouraged to submit either a copy of their college diploma (verifying the degree, date earned and area of specialization) or official/unofficial transcripts (verifying the date and degree conferred) by the final filing deadline. However, proof of this education requirement must be submitted prior to appointment.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:  Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service.  The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment.  Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

How to Submit Your Documents

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person or by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA  94533, by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (Mental Health Specialist II- Bilingual Spanish) and the recruitment number (16-433300-B2).  If submitting documents by email include the recruitment title and recruitment number in the subject field.

Supplemental Questionnaire

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and whether they will continue in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely. Omitted information will not be considered or assumed. Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.

Please note that the experience in your answers must be reflected in your employment history.

1

Please speak to your experience providing outreach services to Monolingual Spanish speaking families as it relates to mental health and/or working with families exposed to violence or trauma or involved with juvenile justice/criminal justice system.

 
2

The following areas of need are common when working as an outreach worker to Monolingual Spanish speaking families: Housing, access to healthcare, immigration issues, and children's education issues.  Please list your experience as an outreach worker in these specific areas.

 
3

Please describe your experience as it relates to accessing community resources and connecting the public to said resources in efforts to promote wellness and stability.

 
4

Please describe a situation which you experienced, or could have experienced, a boundary infraction from a client/customer you served.  Specifically describe the situation and your response to it.

 
5

Please describe your experience working in community settings providing services to the public including but not limited to the following:

a.)   Recreational activities with a goal of improving overall life functioning

b.)   Assessing for safety and risk

c.)   Behavior modification inverventions and/or strategies

 
6

This position requires Spanish skills.  Applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Do you speak, write and read Spanish?

Yes  No 

Special Requirements

  • Driver’s License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment.  Loss of the Class C Driver’s License is a cause for discipline.  Individuals who do not meet this driver’s license requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis.  
  • Assignment Requirements: Some positions in these classes may require work in an out-station location or in a setting with other professionals integrated as a team.  Some positions may require first hand experience as a mental health consumer and the ability to provide peer self-help counseling. 

Veterans Preference Points

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.  A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE.  Applicants who have a service connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons. 

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score.  Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score.  Veteran’s preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations. 

Americans With Disabilities Act

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://webstartadmin/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=6664.

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

Solano County

Click here to take a video tour of Solano County.

The County of Solano offers a blend of agriculture, corporate business, cultural venues, festivals and events, and provides residents with many recreation and entertainment choices. The County is also home to Travis Air Force Base.

Solano County is centrally located and serves as a gateway to all that Northern California has to offer. The Napa Valley is less than 20 miles away, two world-class public universities (UC Berkeley and UC Davis) are 20 miles away, and both San Francisco and Sacramento are less than 40 minutes away. Day trips can also be made to South Lake Tahoe and Monterey.

With its strategic location, affordable housing, natural resources, responsible land use planning, and attractive quality of life, Solano County is a great place to live, learn, work and play.

County Population (January 2015): 429,522

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.  

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER