Search Jobs

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division of San Mateo County Health is seeking experienced individuals for the position of Residential Counselor I. Residential Counselors (RC) I will provide guidance, support, supervision, and direction to youth ages 12–18 who have experienced severe or repeated trauma and require intensive mental health services in a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) at the County’s Canyon Oaks Youth Center. The RC-I plays a key role in creating and maintaining a safe, stable, and therapeutic environment that supports healing and growth. This includes monitoring residents’ behavior, safety, health, and overall well-being, while fostering connection and responding to challenging behaviors with empathy.

RCs use trauma-informed practices to understand and respond to the underlying needs driving youth behavior, while recognizing the impact of trauma on development, relationships, and coping skills. They assist youth in setting and working towards realistic goals, encourage personal accountability, and model healthy communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Through active participation, coaching, and encouragement, RCs guide residents in practicing life skills, strengthening self-regulation, and building confidence for their next steps.

As an RC, you will play a vital role in creating a safe, supportive, and positive environment for youth in our care. Your primary focus will be ensuring the physical and emotional safety of residents, providing day-to-day guidance, and assisting with daily routines and needs. Working as part of a collaborative team, you’ll help youth feel secure, express themselves, and build the confidence to develop the skills they need to thrive. This includes offering encouragement during challenges, celebrating successes, and modeling healthy, respectful interactions.

In this role, every interaction is an opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact, whether you’re helping a resident problem-solve, providing a listening ear, or creating activities that foster growth, connection, and resilience in the young people we serve.

There is currently one regular full-time vacancy and two Relief vacancies at the Canyon Oaks Youth Center located at 400 Edmonds Rd., Redwood City, CA, 94062.

Examples Of Duties

Residential Counselors are responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Supervising and engaging with youth by offering guidance, encouragement, and interventions that promote safety and well-being.
• Working alongside youth to find solutions when challenges arise, using redirection and interventions that emphasize teaching and guidance rather than punishment.
• Collaborating with the treatment team to develop, plan, and carry out individualized treatment plans that support each youth’s goals and needs.
• Working with the interdisciplinary team to understand the function of youth behaviors and to identify supportive strategies or coping mechanisms that best promote regulation and growth.
• Planning and leading recreational and skill-building activities including art, cooking and other activities.
• Providing flexible support in day treatment groups, taking on roles such as active participant, silent observer, or assistant to the facilitator.
• Offering consistent support and guidance to youth, fostering confidence, resilience, and a positive self-image.
• Using evidence-based practices to reinforce and encourage positive behavior, such as validation, positive reinforcement, trauma-informed de-escalation strategies, and skill-building interventions.
• Maintaining accurate records and documentation, including shift summaries, medication charts, youth cash and other resources, petty cash, youth personal belongings and clothing inventory and other records.
• Collaborating with day treatment and other program staff to implement treatment and educational strategies and interventions that support individualized goals.
• Ensuring completion of all household and medical routines; supervise and encourage positive hygiene practices of youth.
• Administering first aid, prepare and provide prescribed medication in accordance with protocols and obtain medical care as needed.
• Driving youth to various appointments, community activities, and recreational outings on a regular basis.
• Performing related duties as assigned.

In addition to the above, during the overnight shift, residential counselors must:

• Remain fully awake and alert throughout the entire shift.
• Ensure the facility remains secure while maintaining a calm and comforting environment for youth.
• Conduct and document regular night-time bedroom checks to ensure youth are resting safely.
• Provide support and reassurance to youth experiencing emotional distress or difficulty sleeping.
• Perform necessary housekeeping chores assigned.

Rewarding Aspects of the Job:

• You’ll be joining a dedicated team with years of experience working together, offering opportunities for learning, mentorship and professional growth.
• You’ll be part of a team who makes a tangible impact on the lives of youth, witnessing their growth, resilience, and progress over time. From supporting a young person regulate during a crisis to guiding them toward new coping skills, or celebrating milestones, you have a front-row seat to their transformation.
• You’ll have opportunities to think creatively and adapt to each youth’s unique needs through recreational activities, life skills projects, and problem-solving in the moment.

Opportunities to Make an Impact and Build Skills:

• Strengthen skills in communication, flexibility and teamwork while learning to balance diverse perspectives and approaches within a large interdisciplinary team.
• Develop expertise in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention and problem solving in real time when supporting youth in distress or crisis.
• Build resilience and sustain professional effectiveness by practicing self-care, leveraging supervision, and engaging in peer support while navigating the emotional demands of the role.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The ideal candidate will have the flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including daytime, swing, and overnight within a 40-hour work week (8 hours per day, 5 days per week) and scheduled any day from Sunday through Saturday.

This program only uses physical interventions as a last resort to prevent serious injury or in situations requiring life-saving measures. Residential Counselors must pass emergency intervention training which includes a written and physical hands-on competency examination; annual examinations are conducted to maintain certification.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Counseling, Child Development or related fields.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles, including awareness of the impact of trauma on behavior and development
• Training and experience in managing assaultive behavior and physical restraint.
• A minimum of one year's experience providing direct supervision of youth in a residential treatment setting working with adolescents.
• A California Driver's License in good standing.

IMPORTANT: (COYC) is a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program and by law, requires employees to obtain and maintain security clearance and be bondable. Any prior criminal conviction since your 18th birthday (excluding marijuana-related offenses that are older than two years as listed in the California Labor Code 432.8) will result in a denial of your security clearance by the Community Care Licensing agency. While in some circumstances an employer may obtain a waiver of conviction from the licensing agency, Behavioral Health has a policy against obtaining such waivers/exemptions for perspective employees. In addition, Behavioral Health will not accept such waivers/exemptions obtained from the licensing agency by applicants in any other manner.

Community Care Licensing also requires providers working in this facility to maintain 40 hours of annual training related to the field, which are provided by the facility. This includes but is not limited to training in Professional Assault Crisis Training model (Pro-Act) upon hire and yearly basis.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Qualifications

Security Clearance:
Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Residential Counselor I: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Counseling, Child Development or related fields.

Special Requirements:

• Must have the ability to complete 40 hours of mandated training annually.

Talent Acquisition Contact: Priscilla Bermudez (090325) Residential Counselor I/II – Canyon Oaks Youth Center – G025)

The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Case Manager (Case Management/Assessment Specialist II) will join the Behavioral Health Recovery Services (BHRS) Clinical Team to provide services to individuals housed at the Youth Services Center (YSC) – Juvenile Hall.

Reporting to the Supervising Mental Health Clinician/Unit Supervisor, the AOD Case Manager will support the complex needs of juvenile justice-involved as well as transitional-age individuals, presenting with severe emotional and behavioral challenges, along with multiple risk factors such as co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions, trauma, out-of-home placement, and psychiatric hospitalizations.

The AOD Case Manager will perform a wide variety of intake and referral services, including assessment, evaluation, tracking, and support services for clients receiving substance abuse treatment; develop and implement activities related to substance abuse prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation; and perform other related work as required.

There is one vacancy in Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS), assigned to the Youth Services Center (YSC) – Juvenile Hall in San Mateo.

Ideal candidate will possess:

• Experience providing alcohol and drug counseling to adolescents, transition-age youth, or juvenile justice-involved populations.
• Experience working in a juvenile detention facility, residential treatment program, or similar high-risk youth environment.
• Ability to provide culturally responsive, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed services.
• Ability to facilitate group treatment sessions for clients in various stages of recovery.
• Experience conducting comprehensive assessments, evaluations, and referrals for substance use treatment.
• Ability to provide care coordination with internal and external providers, including therapists, psychiatrists, and primary care professionals.
• Strong case management skills, including reentry planning and collaboration with multiple agencies.
• Experience participating in multidisciplinary team meetings and contributing to treatment planning.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and maintain effective relationships with juvenile justice-involved individuals.
• Knowledge of local community-based resources and the ability to make effective referrals.
• Proficiency in documenting and billing client interactions using AVATAR, EPIC and eClinicalWorks (eCW) is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a dynamic caseload in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to speak, read, and write fluently in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform client evaluations using a variety of assessment and screening tools, information gathered from interviewing client and/or other professionals and established clinical guidelines to determine the appropriate referral(s), level of care, and recommended treatment plan.
• Interview clients and their families to gather social, psychiatric, and drug and alcohol history.
• Provide written reports to a variety of agencies, courts, probation and/or treatment providers that may include case histories, assessment results, treatment authorizations, referrals, compliance with court orders and treatment recommendations.
• Help create effective evaluation reports, court reports, and/or clinical case reports, or templates for said reports.
• Attend staff conferences and related meetings to coordinate activities with other divisions of the department, other County departments and community groups and providers.
• Monitor compliance with court ordered or related criminal justice referrals.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Final Filing Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025, by 11:59PM PST

Application Screening: Week of October 6, 2025

Panel/Departmental Interviews: Week of October 20, 2025

The City of Hayward is currently accepting applications for the position of Mobile Mental Health Clinician

Candidates are encouraged to apply online at www.hayward-ca.gov under the Current Vacancies tab or at www.GovernmentJobs.com. 

Application submitted through CalOpps.org will not be considered.

Salary: $97,219.20 - $117,915.20 Annually

Full-Time Employment

Job Number:

T570-2024-03

DEADLINE TO APPLY:  Applications are reviewed weekly. This recruitment will remain open on a continuous basis until the needs of the City are met.  Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

THE POSITION: 

The City of Hayward is excited to announce its recruitment for the position of Mobile Mental Health Clinician. Under general direction, the Mobile Mental Health Clinician provides field and office based professional behavioral health counseling, psychoeducation, outreach and engagement, and case management services as part of the City’s Hayward Evaluation and Response Teams (HEART) Program improving public safety responses to people experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders and homelessness.

THE PROGRAM

The Hayward Evaluation and Response Teams (HEART) Program is a cross departmental program between the Hayward City Manager’s Office, Police, and Fire Departments and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services developed to improve access to medical, mental health, and other support services.  The HEART program aims to achieve two main goals: 1) to reduce the need for police officers to intervene in calls for service involving people experiencing chronic mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness and 2) to reduce reliance on emergency services for individuals needing long-term case management and follow-up services.  HEART consists of three distinct response teams: the Mobile Integrated Health Unit (MIHU) made up of Hayward Fire Department Community Paramedics; the Hayward Mobile Evaluation Team (HMET) which pairs a specially trained Hayward Police Officer with an Alameda County behavioral health clinician; and the Case Management and Mental Health Linkages Team (LINK) consisting of Mobile Mental Health Clinicians and a Lead Program Assistant (Case Manager).

You are: 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

 As a member of the LINK team, the ideal candidate has experience providing short term crisis intervention, safety assessments, and other mental health services to adults, youth and children experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders and/or homelessness.  They have the ability to work primarily in the field and have the situational awareness to respond alongside emergency response teams. They are knowledgeable about local community resources and skilled at forming relationships quickly.  
  

Essential Duties

What you will do:

Provides direct casework, individual and group therapy; secures and evaluates medical or psychosocial data such as behavior patterns, use of coping skills and family relationships; analyzes factors which exert an adverse effect upon health issues, treatment and recovery which contribute to or are responsible for behavioral health issues and/or affect the potential for recovery and resiliency. 

Performs field work to proactively serve the unhoused population, persons with mental illness and others in crisis.
 
 Interprets the social aspects of physical or behavioral health issues to clients, relatives, other behavioral health and medical care staff and appropriate persons or agencies.
 
 Provides crisis intervention as needed; stabilizes clients in crisis including brief intervention in clinic; arranges for hospitalization and coordinates treatment elements.
 
Assists clients in understanding clinical health challenges and their reaction to them, accepting the need for treatment, building on strengths and working toward the solution of challenges and stresses the importance of engaging in treatment to increase social functioning, modifying unrealistic attitudes, and strengthening client's effort toward satisfactory adjustments.
 
Establishes and maintains effective relationships with contractors and community organizations and other governmental agencies regarding programs and services; participates in committees, meetings and conferences; provides guidance regarding appropriate social-psychological practices and services.
 
Compiles and prepares reports and documentation on clinical activities; maintains records; prepares periodic reports.
 

Identifies emerging trends related to crimes and issues; develops and implements prevention and intervention program approaches; provides community education on current procedures and practices related to mental health and intervention strategies.
 
Serves as a liaison with law enforcement, school officials, social service agencies, and the general public regarding difficult and/or complex situations related to mental health and social services.
 
Provides support and guidance to Fire and Police First Responders concerning victim advocacy, juvenile and adult crime, domestic violence, chemical dependency, and other services as needed.
 
Represents function on committees, outside organizations, other City departments, and outside agencies, as appropriate.
 
 Fosters an environment that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and collaboration.
 
 Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, tolerance and communication.
 
 Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
 
 Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications
 

CORE COMPETENCIES  

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of clinical social work, especially as related to family system counseling and victim advocacy. 
 
Intervention programs, support group facilitation practices, and availability of community social services resources. 
 
Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology.
 
Cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns.

Methods of sound case management and tracking. 

Community needs, resources and organizations related to behavioral health care.

Clinical standards of practice and licensure requirements.

Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules. 

Computer applications related to the work.

English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 

Ability to: 

Provide intervention, counseling in field locations including but not limited to crime scenes, detention centers, unhoused areas and other field/community locations. 

Independently perform professional social services and mental health counseling to the community.

Interpret and explain pertinent service program activities and department policies and procedures.

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.

Develop and maintain positive effective working relationships with community groups, organizations, co-workers, City departments and the public.

Analyze, evaluate and make sound decisions.

Prepare clear, concise written reports, letters and memoranda.

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.

Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. 

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS 

You have:  

Minimum Qualifications
 

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
 
Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
 

Experience:  Two (2) years’ experience working in the social work or counseling field with strong emphasis on social services, resources and referrals using a collaborative and community framework.

Education:  A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, psychology, counseling or a related field.

License & Certificates:  Possession of a valid professional mental health therapy license issued by the State of California, such as Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Associate Social Worker License (ASW), Intern Marriage Family Therapist (IMFT) or Clinical Psychologist or a closely related field is highly desirable.

Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver's License.

 

Candidates must submit a completed City of Hayward job application, which fully describe the nature of their professional experience and qualifications.   Applications submitted without all required materials will not be considered.

 
Based on the information provided, employment applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Those best qualified may be invited to the next phase of the process, which may include an oral, practical, written examination and/or supplemental questionnaires reviewed by subject matter experts.
 
The examination process will result in a ranked eligible register of candidates for hiring consideration by the department derived from any of the exam processes mentioned above.  Actual hire depends on success in the departmental selection process.
 
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City should expect to undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials as part of the appointment process. Some positions, depending on the nature of the work, also require a credit check and a review of Summary Criminal History obtained from the State Department of Justice through Live Scan Fingerprinting.
 
Applicants will be notified electronically via Government Jobs as to their status in the selection process.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they can receive email notice from Neogov/Government Jobs and the City of Hayward.

 

APPLICATIONS

 

Candidates are encouraged to apply online at www.hayward-ca.gov under the Current Vacancies tab or at www.GovernmentJobs.com.  Paper applications can be obtained by visiting the Human Resources Department at Hayward City Hall located at 777 B Street, Hayward, CA  94541.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system.  Our on-line application system is provided by Government Jobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact the Government Jobs Help Desk at  (855) 524-5627.
  

The City of Hayward is an Equal Opportunity Employer

 

The Department

The Human Services Department (HSD) delivers and supports services by forging long-term community partnerships, engaging with and building the capacity of the community to do its own problem-solving, and leveraging financial and volunteer resources. The Department’s nationally and internationally recognized programs support thousands of residents throughout their life course, from infants to elders. The department offers a hybrid working environment which is friendly, supportive, collegial and, where staff of many disciplines come together to problem solve, compassionately assist those in need, learn together and share successes.

General Description

As a Mental Health Counselor in the Human Services Department, incumbents will provide a full range of culturally responsive intake assessments, individual, family and group counseling, and crisis intervention services to enhance the mental health of those in need.

The Counselor is part of a larger Human Services team that includes psychologists, nurses, social work case managers, a family partner (peer support specialist), substance use disorder intervention specialists, and interns. Counselors receive continuous clinical training, consultation and professional development opportunities and receive supervision from a Clinical Supervisor.

The current vacancy is for a part-time (20 hours per week) position is the Youth and Family Services (YFS) Division with prorated benefits working with children, youth, and their families.

Examples of Duties

• Conduct intake assessment which includes, psycho-social functioning, family and peer relationships, cultural/language needs and family strengths; develop care plans that respond to the individual’s or families’ values and strengths.
• Establish clinical diagnoses and identify list of problems and needs.
• Provide individual, family and group counseling to enhance clients’ mental and emotional health, social functioning and independent living skills, using a variety of therapeutic and counseling techniques.
• Provide therapy and supportive services to individuals /children and families from varying cultural backgrounds.
• Coordinate care plan.
• Link clients to available social services, educational and medical resources as appropriate.
• Comply with City, state, county, funders and agency’s policies and procedures, legal and ethical standards, quality assurance goals and audit requirements.
• Prepare correspondence and reports on treatment histories, progress and other matters related to the client’s treatment.
• Write and maintain clinical records following City and Funders’ guidelines. Attend quality chart review, case consultation meetings.
• Meet and maintain billing goals on a monthly basis.
• Attend required agency meetings and professional training.
• Attend community meetings, participate in task forces and committees as assigned.
• Conduct classes and give presentations to community organizations as assigned.
• Conduct services where client is most comfortable and are most appropriate including office-based sessions, field based, hospital, telehealth, school and home-based sessions.
• May provide clinical supervision to entry level interns or trainees, training and assistance to other staff or volunteers.
• Utilize departmental electronic health record and billing system MyEvolv.
• May be required to work other than business office hours.

The Department

The Human Services Department (HSD) delivers and supports services by forging long-term community partnerships, engaging with and building the capacity of the community to do its own problem-solving, and leveraging financial and volunteer resources. The Department’s nationally and internationally recognized programs support thousands of residents throughout their life course, from infants to elders. The department offers a hybrid working environment which is friendly, supportive, collegial and, where staff of many disciplines come together to problem solve, compassionately assist those in need, learn together and share successes.

General Description

As a Mental Health Counselor in the Human Services Department, incumbents will provide a full range of culturally responsive intake assessments, individual, family and group counseling, and crisis intervention services to enhance the mental health of those in need.

The Counselor is part of a larger Human Services team that includes psychologists, nurses, social work case managers, a family partner (peer support specialist), substance use disorder intervention specialists, and interns. Counselors receive continuous clinical training, consultation and professional development opportunities and receive supervision from a Clinical Supervisor.

The current vacancy is for a part-time (32 hours per week) temporary position (2 years) in the Family Resource Center (FRC) Division with prorated benefits working primarily with adults at the FRC Division.

Examples of Duties

• Conduct intake assessment which includes, psycho-social functioning, family and peer relationships, cultural/language needs and family strengths; develop care plans that respond to the individual’s or families’ values and strengths.
• Establish clinical diagnoses and identify list of problems and needs.
• Provide individual, family and group counseling to enhance clients’ mental and emotional health, social functioning and independent living skills, using a variety of therapeutic and counseling techniques.
• Provide therapy and supportive services to individuals /children and families from varying cultural backgrounds.
• Coordinate care plan.
• Link clients to available social services, educational and medical resources as appropriate.
• Comply with City, state, county, funders and agency’s policies and procedures, legal and ethical standards, quality assurance goals and audit requirements.
• Prepare correspondence and reports on treatment histories, progress and other matters related to the client’s treatment.
• Write and maintain clinical records following City and Funders’ guidelines. Attend quality chart review, case consultation meetings.
• Meet and maintain billing goals on a monthly basis.
• Attend required agency meetings and professional training.
• Attend community meetings, participate in task forces and committees as assigned.
• Conduct classes and give presentations to community organizations as assigned.
• Conduct services where client is most comfortable and are most appropriate including office-based sessions, field based, hospital, telehealth, school and home-based sessions.
• May provide clinical supervision to entry level interns or trainees, training and assistance to other staff or volunteers.
• Utilize departmental electronic health record and billing system MyEvolv.
• May be required to work other than business office hours.