About Job

County of Santa Cruz
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Candidates Encouraged to Apply

Supplemental Questionnaire Required

Open and Promotional
Job # 25-SY3

Salary: $9,349 – 11,826 / Month

Closing Date: Friday, August 29, 2025

County Equity Statement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every status,
providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.

Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering an
environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

THE JOB: Incumbents provide a high level of expertise in support of various program areas and provide
direction and advice to other program staff in clinical therapy and psychological treatment plans. This
classification requires an advanced level of professional knowledge and skills in the areas of psychological
testing, evaluation, and therapy. The current vacancies are in the Children’s and Adult Behavioral Health
Services Division of the Health Services Agency.

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

Possession of a doctorate degree in psychology from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of
supervised professional experience under the direction of a licensed psychologist.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a Clinical Psychology license issued by the State of California OR
possession of a license to practice clinical psychology from another State provided a license from the State
of California is obtained within eighteen (18) months.

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Apply online at: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of principles, theories, techniques, and practices used in clinical and
abnormal psychology, including projective techniques for the diagnosis and psychotherapy of mentally ill
and emotionally disturbed clients. Working knowledge of characteristics of mental and emotional disorders
and psychological treatment modalities; principles and methods of psychological research including
evaluation, testing and outcomes; interviewing techniques, testing methods and counseling/clinical
treatment methods. Some knowledge of principles and practices of mental health education, community
organizations and allied mental health services and resources; laws and regulations governing mental
health treatment; and laws and regulations as they relate to clients’ legal rights.

Ability to: Plan and implement appropriate and effective treatment methods; administer, score and interpret
a variety of psychological tests; supervise, train, evaluate and motivate assigned professional and support
staff; identify and evaluate normal and abnormal behavior tendencies, diagnose and classify an
appropriate prognosis and prepare an effective psychological treatment plan; conduct psychological
research and evaluate statistical data; communicate effectively in both oral and written form; express
complex and technical terminology and concepts in an understandable and non-threatening manner;
conduct effective and appropriate individual and group psychotherapy, coordinate and direct the work of
others effectively and positively; lead and participate in a treatment team; train others at various levels of
expertise in the concepts and theories of the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness; initiate and maintain
a variety of case notes, client records and other required documentation; prepare and present a variety of
periodic and special reports of both a professional and administrative nature; establish and maintain
effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties; communicate
effectively in both oral and written form, including expressing complex and technical terminology and
concepts in an understandable and non-threatening manner and monitor budgets and contracts.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire 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 questionnaire. 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 questionnaire. 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.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and
supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite
510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications
will meet the final filing date if received: 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, people of color, 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.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation
and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 14 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 medical plans. For most plans, County
contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA
Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average
compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability
Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have
their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to
cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.