Location
Description
Applications are being accepted for the position of Crisis Response Clinician I/II with the South San Francisco Police Department.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2025 AT 5:00 PM, OR UPON RECEIPT OF THE FIRST 100 ONLINE APPLICATIONS, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.
THE CITY OFFERS AN ATTRACTIVE BENEFIT PACKAGE, AS WELL AS CALPERS RETIREMENT PLAN AND SOCIAL SECURITY PARTICIPATION.
THE DEPARTMENT
The City of South San Francisco has 85 sworn and 37 civilian positions. The Department’s philosophy is one of participative management, with a high degree of emphasis on training and education. It employs team and community-oriented policing and problem-solving concepts and recognizes the importance of staying contemporary with technological advances. The Department acknowledges that the responsibility for public safety and the quality of life in our neighborhood is a responsibility shared with the whole community.
A new state-of-the-art Police Department building and 9-1-1 Communications Center was built at 1 Chestnut Avenue, across the road from the former police building. The new Police Building includes a large training room for defensive tactics, a dedicated indoor firearms range, and progressive construction incorporating the latest in Police Station design concepts. The 9-1-1 Communications center has the latest communications and dispatching technologies to provide improved service and response to South San Francisco residents.
THE POSITION
Under general supervision within the Police Department, responds to active crisis calls in collaboration with law enforcement and provides field and office based crisis intervention, behavioral health assessments and counseling, psychoeducation, outreach and engagement, transitional case management, consultation, and quality assurance review of assigned cases; works collaboratively with community service providers, behavioral health agencies, and law enforcement to connect individuals to appropriate resources; and performs related work as required or assigned.
This classification is uniquely distinguished by its principal responsibility to co-respond with law enforcement to emergency calls within the City that involve suspected mental health or behavioral health concerns. This integrated response model ensures a coordinated approach to crisis situations designed to improve outcomes for individuals experiencing psychological distress.
Employees in this position operate with a high degree of independence, judgment and initiative within established departmental policies and procedures. While this position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities, the clinician may provide guidance and training to other personnel, community partners or service providers. Incumbents receive general supervision from a Police Lieutenant and administrative direction from a Police Captain within the Police Department’s Services Division.
A Crisis Response Clinician I is in a pre-licensed status, has completed some of the requirements and must practice under supervision while working towards full licensure. A Crisis Response Clinician II is a licensed clinician who has completed all requirements for professional practice, including education, supervised hours, and exams and can practice independently. A Clinician I shall, upon receipt of the requisite licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or California Board of Psychology, be advanced to a Clinician II.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Crisis Response Clinician I/II is a compassionate, adaptable, and highly skilled mental health professional who thrives in dynamic environments. They have a strong foundation in clinical assessment, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care, with a commitment to serving individuals experiencing acute psychological distress in a timely and competent manner. They bring experience working directly with individuals facing severe mental illness, co-occurring disorders, substance use challenges, and other complex needs. The ideal candidate is confident conducting risk assessments—including suicide, homicide, and grave disability evaluations—and is knowledgeable about legal standards, including Welfare & Institutions Code 5150 procedures.
The ideal candidate is a natural collaborator who works effectively alongside law enforcement, community partners, and service providers to ensure individuals receive the least restrictive, most appropriate intervention and are safely connected to the appropriate resources. They demonstrate sound clinical judgment in high-stakes situations, maintain accurate documentation, and uphold the highest ethical and professional standards in all aspects of their work. Furthermore, the ideal candidate is passionate about public service, experienced in mobile crisis response or community-based care, and is eager to contribute to a compassionate, coordinated, and innovative model of behavioral health support.
QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Experience:
Crisis Response Clinician I: One (1) year of experience working in the social work or counseling field with strong emphasis on social services, crisis response, severe mental illness, resources, and referrals using a collaborative and community framework.
Crisis Response Clinician II: At least two (2) years of experience working in the social work or counseling field with strong emphasis on social services, crisis response, severe mental illness, resources, and referrals using a collaborative and community framework.
Training: A master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related behavioral health field.
Licenses/Certifications: All licenses and certificates must be maintained as a condition of employment.
Crisis Response Clinician I:
1. Registered with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences or State of California Board of Psychology in any one (1) of the following areas:
a. Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW);
b. Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT);
c. Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC); or
d. Psychological Associate
2. Obtain full licensure within timelines consistent with the California Welfare & Institutions Code and relevant licensing board. Progress toward licensure will be reviewed periodically to ensure compliance.
Crisis Response Clinician II:
1. Possession at time of hire, and maintenance of any one (1) of the following licenses with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences or State of California Board of Psychology:
a. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW);
b. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT);
c. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC); or
d. Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Crisis Response Clinician I and II:
1. Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
2. Possession of, or ability to obtain, authorization from San Mateo County Medical Director to place individuals on W&I 5150 holds within six (6) months from hire.
3. Must maintain registration or license as applicable in good standing with the appropriate licensing board throughout the duration of employment.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered, the following REQUIRED items must be submitted at time of application:
- City application
- Responses to the supplemental questionnaire
Proof of a valid, current license or registration with either the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences or the State Board of Psychology in one of the accepted areas indicated in the “Licenses/Certifications” section above. This may include a copy of an official certificate or letter of verification issued by the applicable licensing board.
NOTE: Applications must be filled out in their entirety. Failure to complete the application and/or supplemental questions or failure to include a required attachment will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience, education or training or indicating “see resume” in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to disqualification. Additionally, only the application materials and documents specifically requested within this job announcement will be accepted and considered. Any supplemental documents submitted that are not required will not be reviewed as part of the application process.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The process will first consist of a review of application materials, including responses to supplemental questions, which must be detailed and complete. Applicants whose submitted application materials demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities in the best alignment with the required and desired qualifications of this position will be selected to participate in the next phase of the qualification and selection process, which will include an oral panel interview, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Following this examination, the top scoring candidates will be invited to a final selection interview with the hiring department.
To review complete job descriptions which include all special requirements, go to www.ssf.net
Benefits
Retirement: CalPERS retirement formula is 2% at age 60 for Classic members or; 2% at age 62 for “new members” as defined by Government Code §7522.04(e). Social Security and Medicare participation and the option to participate in 457 deferred compensation plans. City contributes equivalent of 1.5% of base pay towards a medical after-retirement account, with a $100/month employee contribution.
Health Insurance: City offers a choice of medical HMO (two providers) or PPO plan, and offers vision and dental coverage. City pays 100% of vision and dental premiums for employee and eligible dependents. Employees shall contribute 10% of the HMO premium cost based on category of coverage (single, two, family). For PPO, employee pays cost difference between PPO and HMO plans. City provides 100% City-paid short- and long-term disability insurances. The City offers a discretionary benefit account for employees who demonstrate health coverage elsewhere.
Vacation: Fifteen to thirty working days annual vacation, based on the length of service.
Holidays: Thirteen total paid holidays per year plus one floating holiday.
Programs: 457 Deferred Compensation, Paid Family Leave, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Long-Term Care, Disability and Life Insurance Programs, City Recreation Classes, Reduced-fee Childcare Programs and Commuter Benefit Programs are available.
Administrative Leave: Entitled to receive 40 hours of administrative leave annually and are also eligible to receive up to an additional 40 hours of administrative leave per fiscal year.
This classification is in an employee bargaining unit.
Special Instructions
Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to submit to any or all of the following (as applicable):
- Reference Check
- SSF Background Check
- Police Department Background Check (includes review of Personal History Statement)
- Polygraph
- Pre-Employment Medical Examination and Drug Screen
A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to the nature and recency of the conviction and relationship to job duties. All City standards must be met before the final appointment is made.
Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should advise the Human Resources Department upon submittal of application.
Candidates requesting veteran’s preference must provide a copy of U.S. Government DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" as an attachment to their CalOpps application.
The policy of the City of South San Francisco is to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or national origin. It is the intent and desire of the City of South San Francisco that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The City of South San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).