Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist I

Recruitment #21-6512-02

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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.

 

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

 

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 Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

 

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 bi weekly 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.  

 

THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well-being of Alameda County residents.  For more information about the Health Care Services Agency, please visit www.acgov.org/health/

 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

It is the mission of Alameda County Behavioral Health to maximize the recovery, resilience and wellness of all eligible Alameda County residents who are developing or experiencing serious mental health, alcohol, or drug concerns. We envision communities where people realize their potential, and where stigma and discrimination against those with mental health, alcohol and/or drug issues are a thing of the past.

 

Only through exemplifying the following Alameda County Behavioral Health values will we be successful:

 

ACBHCS

Access - where every door is the right door for welcoming people with complex needs.

Consumer and Family Empowerment - through shared decision‐making best practices, that clinically produce effective outcomes.

Best Practices - business excellence that uses public resources cost‐effectively.

Health and Wellness - by integrating emotional, spiritual and physical health care.

Culturally Responsive - appropriate services built on the strengths and life experiences of culturally diverse consumers and their families;

Social Inclusion - utilizing advocacy and education to eliminate stigma, discrimination, isolation, and misunderstanding of persons with mental illness and substance abuse.

 

For more information about Alameda County Behavioral Health, please visit www.acbhcs.org/

 

THE POSITION

Under general direction, to provide community-based crisis intervention services for children and adult populations with mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses on mobile crisis and mobile evaluation teams which includes direct client contact in the community, partnering with law enforcement, crisis intervention, field clinical assessments, outreach services, and other related duties as assigned.  Work is performed seven days a week and assignment locations may vary in order to best serve the community.

 

Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist I/II is a flexibly staffed class series with the work normally performed at the II level, but with initial selection possible at the I level.  Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist Is are expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency which qualifies them to promote to the Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist II.  Upon successful completion of 12 months as a Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist I, the incumbent may be considered for potential flexing up to the Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist II based on the incumbent's demonstrated ability to perform at the journey level position on Mobile Crisis Teams (MCT) and Mobile Evaluation Teams (MET).  Appointment at the I level will not be extended beyond 18 months.  

 

Positions in this class series are located in the Behavioral health Care Services' Crisis Response Services, which provides community-based crisis prevention and early intervention services to clients and the community.  Incumbents will report to a Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist Supervisor.  Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist IIs may provide direction to Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist Is and oversight and training to clinical interns.  

 

This series is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Clinician series in that the Behavioral Health Clinician provides clinical and case management services to clients in a clinic setting, whereas, the Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Specialist work is solely field based responding to crisis call to de-escalate situations involving the most vulnerable populations in the community. 

 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to the minimum qualifications and knowledge and skills listed below, ideal candidates for these positions will have:

  • Ability to effectively partner with multidisciplinary teams; law enforcement, EMS, emergency rooms, other county service teams, Community Based Organization (CBO) partners, etc. 
  • Ability to 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 
  • Excellent time management skills; ability to prioritize and multi-task 
  • Tech savviness; 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
  • Experience providing crisis intervention services in the field to diverse communities and across the children transitional age youth, adults and older adults life span
  • Experience working with peers in a work setting
  • Significant crisis de-escalation skills and training  

And a demonstrated ability to:

  • 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

For a detailed listing of the essential responsibilities and core competency requirements for this position, please click here for the job description.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum professional requirements for admission to the competitive assessment process include:

 

Either I

Experience: 
Equivalent to one year experience in the class of Behavioral Health Clinician II in the Alameda County classified service.  

Or II

Experience:
The equivalent to two years full-time post licensure experience as a behavioral health/mental health clinician providing community based clinical and/or crisis management services.

Education: 
Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited school in social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, counseling, nursing, or related field.  

License/Certification:
Possession of a valid clinical license from the applicable licensing authority: California Board of Behavioral Sciences, California Board of Psychology, or the California Board of Registered Nursing.  

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.  Applicants must possess such license prior to appointment to such positions.  

Special Requirements:
  • In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in the classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day on the job.  
  • In compliance with Medicare regulations, eligible licensed clinicians in the classification are required to complete the "Medicare Enrollment Process for Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners" through the Centers for Medicare and Medical Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, prior to their first day on the job.  Active enrollment in Medicare is a condition of employment. Failure to attain or maintain active enrollment will result in termination.  
  • In compliance with the California Code of Regulations and the Board of Behavioral Sciences, clinicians in this classification will be required to complete "supervision training" to be eligible to provide supervision of trainees or interns.  

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.  

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Example of Duties" section of this specification.
The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:
  • 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 patters.  
  • 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.  

Ability to:
  • 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

The examination will consist of the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. 2) Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process which is a review of candidates' Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. 3) Those candidates selected as best qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process, an oral interview examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview examination may contain situational exercises.

 

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

 

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

 

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

 

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:  

 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN: 

Deadline for Filing

5:00pm, Monday, November 1, 2021

Review of Minimum Qualification

TBD 

Supplemental Questionnaire Review for Best Qualified

TBD 

Oral Interview Exam**

TBD

**The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.

 

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

 

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statues.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

 

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs/divisions/ps/application.htm

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

New Spec
NLB:ah 08/30/18
CSC Date: 09/12/18

BENEFITS

Alameda 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 different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  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) 
  • 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, 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

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Catastrophic Sick Leave
  • Group Auto/Home Insurance
  • 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 brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

 

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, acgov.org and Noreply@jobaps.com as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

 

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

 

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box Noreply@jobaps.com are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions, please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

 

Nicole Lewis-Bolton, Human Resources Analyst

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

(510) 272-6468 • nicole.lewis-bolton@acgov.org

 

 

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.