Location : Santa Maria, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 25-1758-01 (O/BW)
Department: Behavioral Wellness
Opening Date: 11/05/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
This position will remain open until filled with first considerations beginning on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
SALARY
Clinical Psychologist I: $99,817.12 - $120,149.12 Annually
Clinical Psychologist II: $109,476.64 - $131,955.20 Annually
We are accepting applications to fill one (1) Clinical Psychologist I/II vacancy in Santa Maria for the Behavioral Wellness Department.
We are accepting applications to establish an employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc for full-time and part-time positions. Please make sure you select on your application which location(s) and department(s) you are willing to accept current and future employment.
BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
- Retirement reciprocity
- Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.
THE POSITION: Under general direction, provides assessment, treatment, and case management to emotionally disturbed children, seriously and persistently mentally ill adults; and performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Clinical Psychologist Postdoctoral Intern/Clinical Psychologist I/Clinical Psychologist II is a flexibly staffed series. Incumbents in this class series provide similar client services to emotionally disturbed children, and seriously and persistently mentally ill adults. Clinical Psychologist Postdoctoral Intern is the entry-level class. Interns, under functional supervision of a licensed psychologist, obtain the necessary experience toward licensure by the California State Board of Medical Examiners. Incumbents in this class are expected to obtain licensure as a Clinical Psychologist within two years of hire. Clinical Psychologist I and II are the fully licensed, professional levels. The Clinical Psychologist I is distinguished from the Clinical Psychologist II by the latter's assignment to more difficult cases or specialized populations that require additional experience. Incumbents at the II level may also assist in training other Psychologists.
Examples of Duties
- Provides comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, treatment and case management to seriously and persistently mentally ill adults and emotionally disturbed children with co-existing alcohol and drug abuse disorders; documents clinical activity; presents diagnostic and interview findings, clinical evaluations, and recommendations for treatment and rehabilitation of patients; consults with physicians and psychiatrists about findings of medical or physical examinations and the need for further special testing or treatment; selects, administers, and evaluates psychological testing.
- Conducts structured rehabilitation and impairment/symptom focused groups, family education and support groups; and provides field evaluations, treatment, and case management as needed.
- Evaluates patients for suicide and violence risks; conducts assessments for involuntary hospitalization; provides crisis intervention services in the field or in the office; appears in court regarding recommendations, reports, and contested actions.
- Provides psychological evaluations, treatment, and consultation at the jail and locked unit sites.
- Participates in quality assurance programs and in interdisciplinary-team reviews of staff clinical activity.
- Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with other agencies.
- Provides training and supervision of interns and other staff as assigned; reviews and approves diagnoses and treatment plans of other mental health staff.
- Provides professional consultation to department administration in the development of clinical programs and policies.
Employment Standards
Current license to practice as a psychologist, and pre-licensure or post-licensure experience working with the seriously and persistently mentally ill adults or emotionally disturbed children. Initial appointment may be based on licensure in another state; license granted by the California State Board of Medical Examiners is required within 2 years of appointment, as a condition of continued employment.
Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.
Knowledge of: psychopathology; rehabilitation of seriously and persistently mentally ill adults or emotionally disturbed children; administration and interpretation of psychological tests; computer-assisted psychological tests; assessment and treatment intervention appropriate with the seriously and persistently mentally ill adults or emotionally disturbed clients; crisis intervention management; alcohol and drug abuse disorders; descriptive and inferential statistics; community resources available for clients.
Ability to: read and interpret best practices and research practices for service and program evaluation; work collaboratively with staff of various disciplines and with partner agencies; write accurate and comprehensive assessments and reports with clarity and precision; conduct various types of group therapies; conduct clinical interviews and draw treatment inferences; work effectively with seriously and persistently mentally ill adults or emotionally disturbed children, and their families; educate and support family members; develop and present staff conferences and training programs.
Supplemental Information
- Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
- Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking Assessment. Candidates who meet the employment standards will have their supplemental questionnaire evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER:
- Live Scan and Background Check: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate's appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.
- The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
Recruiters will communicate with applicant by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Leza Patatanian, LPatatanian@countyofsb.org
Retirement Plans
- Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
- Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
- Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
- For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and
- Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
- On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
- Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
- Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
- For more information on our health benefits, please visit:
- Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
- Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
- Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
- Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
- For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)
- County Paid Term Life Insurance
- County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
- Childcare and Employee Discounts
- Relocation Assistance may apply
- Flexible work schedule may apply
- For more information on all of these benefits, please visit:
- To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit:
*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
01
I acknowledge that it is my responsibility as an applicant to provide sufficient information on my application to demonstrate that my education and experience meets the employment standards (minimum qualifications) for this position as detailed in the job bulletin. I further acknowledge that if the County determines that I do not meet the employment standards there will be no opportunity for me to provide additional information regarding my application after the closing date listed on the job bulletin. Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important that I review the job bulletin thoroughly and ensure that my application clearly reflects how my education and experience meets the employment standards at the time I submit my application.Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important I review the job bulletin thoroughly and ensure that my application clearly reflects how my education and experience meet the employment standards at the time I submit my application.
- I understand
02
As part of the application process, this Supplemental Questionnaire must be completed along with the standard application form. Resumes will be accepted, but NOT in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
- I understand
03
The Human Resources Department communicates with all applicants through e-mail. Please make sure your email address is entered correctly and it is current and that you check spam filters continuously during the recruitment and selection process to ensure you do not miss required deadlines.
- I understand
04
Please keep in mind, the hiring departments will receive a copy of your application. It is to your advantage to provide as much information as possible regarding any current and prior employment history on your application.
- I understand
05
To be considered for this position your application must CLEARLY state how you meet each of the requirements under EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS on the Job Bulletin or you will not be considered for this position. If you are unsure, go back and review your application before continuing. Which Employment Standard did you clearly state on your application?
- Current license to practice as a psychologist, AND pre-licensure or post-licensure experience working with the seriously and persistently mentally ill adults or emotionally disturbed children. Initial appointment may be based on licensure in another state.
- None of the above - I do not meet the minimum qualifications for this position
06
License granted by the California Board of Psychology is REQUIRED within two (2) years of appointment, as a condition of continued employment.
- I understand
07
The following questions are used as part of an EXAMINATION, that (may or will) be used as a weighted, scored selection device.) Raters will read and score only your responses. The rater DOES NOT have access to your application or resume, while they are scoring your responses. You are required to read each question and answer the question thoroughly in your own words. (You will also be scored on correct sentence structure, spelling and use of grammar on the content you have provided.)This is your only opportunity to provide detailed information. Failure to provide full and complete answers may affect the outcome of your score and rank on the employment list.
- I understand.
08
I understand my responses to the following supplemental questions will be used as a weighed, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this job.Do not enter "see resume" or "see application" as raters will not have access to any information except what you enter in the box for each question.For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613. https://www.countyofsb.org/1444/Civil-Service-Rules
- I have read the information and understand my options.
09
Examination Question: Describe in detail your experience working with defendants deemed to be incompetent to stand trial to assure efficient legally defined timelines are met for assessment and competency restoration in conjunction with PC 1370-1372 of the California Penal Code. (full details of this experience/position should be on your completed application.) If you do not have this experience, please put N/A.
10
Examination Question: Describe in detail your knowledge and experience in the procedures governing mental health treatment courts and working in conjunction with the courts to provide diversion programs for individuals with behavioral health and substance use problems. If you do not have this experience, please put N/A.
11
Examination Question: Describe in detail your experience working with conserved clients placed in long term care settings. If you do not have this experience, please put N/A.
Required Question
Professional Field
Counseling
Other Behavioral, Mental, or Healthcare Field
PsychologyPatient Focus
Diagnoses
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Issues
Psych Clearance for Medical Procedures
Age Groups
Children (5-10)
Adults
Therapeutic Approach
Methodologies
ECT
Modalities
Families
Individuals
Practice Specifics
Populations
Involuntary
Individuals with Addiction Issues
Inmates
Victims of Crime/Abuse (VOC/VOA)
Aviation/Transportation
Racial Justice Allied
Settings
Government
In-patient Non-Psychiatric
In-patient Psychiatric
Milieu
Research Facilities/Labs/Clinical Trials
Residential Treatment Facilities (RTC)
Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
Home Health/In-home
Corrections
Court / Court Ordered
Forensic







