Mental Health Therapist/Clinical/Psychiatric Social Worker - Spanish Speaking Preferred (Open)ApplyMental Health Therapist/Clinical/Psychiatric Social Worker - Spanish Speaking Preferred (Open)Salary$99,923.20 - $140,483.20 AnnuallyLocationCounty of San Mateo, CAJob TypeFull-TimeJob NumberG035BPDepartmentHuman Services AgencyOpening Date11/06/2025Bargaining Unit08DescriptionExciting news! Candidates have the opportunity to receive a sign-on bonus of up to $15,000.First-time external new hires, or current staff promoted internally or from other County departments into a regular Psychiatric Social Worker I/II role within the Children and Family Services (CFS) branch of the Human Services Agency (HSA), may be eligible to receive a sign-on bonus of up to $15,000 (subject to discontinuation at any time). The sign-on bonus will be in 3 phases and will be prorated for part-time positions. Restrictions Apply. Please see link for details.The County of San Mateo's Human Services Agency, Children and Family Services branch is seeking well-qualified and motivated individuals for the position of Mental Health Therapist/Clinical/Psychiatric Social Worker.Under general supervision, Mental Health Therapists/Clinical Social Workers provide therapeutic counseling and support services to children and families connected to the child welfare system, individual and group therapeutic counseling, and case management services to clients having basic and/or severe emotional, family, and/or social adjustment problems. There are currently several Mental Health Therapist/Psychiatric/Clinical Social Worker vacancies in Children and Family Services under the Clinical Services Program in the following role:Clinician - provides direct clinical services to parents and youth involved in the child welfare system. These services include completing the State required Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment for children and their parents/guardians. The CANS results guide the services recommended for families, including the appropriate parenting program and other services depending on their needs. This position works collaboratively with the CFS Social Worker and Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Clinician to create a client-focused clinical needs and services plan. The PSW also provides Therapeutic Visitation Services utilizing the Triple P- Positive Parenting Program to prepare parents for eventual reunification. PSWs also provide In-Home Counseling Services to improve family functioning and prevent out of home placement. PSWs may be required to provide coordination of the Pathways-to-Wellbeing program which ensures all children and families in the child welfare system are connected to timely and effective mental health services.Child and Family Team (CFT) Facilitator Vacancy (Psychiatric Social Worker II): The Child Family Team Meeting Facilitator is responsible for coordinating and facilitating Child Family Team meetings that include youth, caregivers, social workers, mental health providers, and any other family members and professionals who are supporting the family with their case plan goals. In the CFT Facilitator assignment, the PSW utilizes their clinical skills and experience to guide authentic conversations about the needs and strengths of client(s) while ensuring the voice and perspectives of caregivers and youth are considered.Foster Family Agency (FFA) Vacancy (Psychiatric Social Worker I): was established to cultivate healthy foster families to provide a nurturing environment for children's healing and growth with an emphasis on maintaining children in the least restrictive, most family-like setting. Through Intensive Services Foster Care (ISFC), the FFA supports substitute care providers with trauma-informed approaches to address behavioral issues, preventing the need for congregate care placements. In the FFA assignment, the PSW will provide therapeutic support to foster youth in out-of-home placement.The ideal candidate will possess:

Experience delivering behavioral health services to children exhibiting challenging behaviors due to trauma.
Effective clinical treatment, assessment, diagnostic and evaluation skills working with youth and families.
Knowledge of principles, techniques and trends in counseling, psychotherapy, clinical case management, crisis management, as well as trauma-informed child abuse treatment and other evidence-based practices.
Knowledge of the CANS tool and CFT practices.
Experience working with youth with complex issues involving abuse and neglect, trauma, behavioral health, and substance use.
Experience facilitating collaborative meetings with clients and partners.
Experience conducting individual, group, and family therapy.
Solid documentation skills: progress notes, assessments, needs and service plans, etc.
Experience providing field-based services.
Collaboration and coordination of services with other providers.
Experience working with multi-cultural clients and staff from a trauma-informed perspective, including ensuring services provided are culturally sensitive and prioritize the child and family's participation and perspectives.
Experience establishing and maintaining effective work relationships.
Effective oral and written communication skills.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.Examples Of DutiesDuties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Perform initial comprehensive assessments including diagnostic evaluation, risk assessment, behavioral symptoms, level of care needs, family history, and other information necessary to determine treatment needs.
Work collaboratively with client or family to develop appropriate treatment plans for and modify plans on a quarterly basis.
Conduct home or school visits.
Provide individual, group and family counseling/therapy sessions, clinical case management, and outreach services for clients toward the fulfillment of their treatment goals and wellness and recovery.
Participate in developing individual and group treatment plans utilizing a variety of psychotherapeutic, psychosocial and psychoeducational modalities.
Provide linkage and referral to other county and community services.
Coordinate client transitions into services and discharges from treatment.
Complete progress notes for all services provided according to established documentation timeline.
Collect and evaluate medical or psychosocial data such as case histories, behavior patterns and family relationships of clients.
Work as a part of a multi-disciplinary clinical team. Provide consultation and education services.
Perform related duties as assigned.

QualificationsLicensure/Certification:

Psychiatric Social Worker I: Registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Clinical Social Worker or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. An individual hired in this classification must become licensed within three years from the date of employment as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist issued by the State of California within three years of appointment.
Psychiatric Social Worker II: Current California license as a Clinical Social Worker or Marriage and Family Therapist.

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 Master's degree in Social Work, Social Welfare, or a closely related field.Knowledge of: Current philosophy, principles, and practices for services to clients with emotional disturbance or serious mental illness; individual, group and family psychodynamics as they relate to children or adults; psychological diagnostic methods and terminology; personality development from infancy through adulthood; human and health services systems in the County including private agencies and other community resources.Skill/Ability to: Provide treatment to children, adolescents, or adults with various mental health disabilities ranging from emotional disturbance or serious mental illness to dysfunctional behavior patterns, including victims of sexual or physical abuse; set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment; evaluate the degree of mental disability or emotional distress of patients/clients; provide consultation and technical assistance to agencies, schools, and other organizations; work collectively within a multi-disciplinary team; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.Application/ExaminationOpen. Anyone may apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application.The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click on the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Continuous until filled
Screening of applications: TBD
Combined panel interviews: TBDAbout the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community..HR Contact: Arlene Cahill (PSW II and MFT II - G035/G040 G120/G121)We invite you to explore our page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.