Mental Health Counselor I

About This Role

This grant-funded position provides prevention and early intervention services to support the behavioral health and well-being of children and youth across Santa Cruz County, with a primary focus on substance use prevention and treatment navigation.

Responsibilities

• Provide prevention and early intervention services that support the behavioral health and well-being of children and youth
• Administer wellness promotion and education
• Conduct screening and care coordination
• Offer individual and group support
• Provide crisis referral services
• Work as part of a care team under the direction of a PPS credentialed or licensed professional
• Serve as a countywide Youth Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Navigator
• Focus on substance use prevention, early intervention, and treatment navigation for students and families
• Work in partnership with school sites, districts, and community providers to support identification, referral, and care coordination related to youth substance use

Requirements

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license and appropriate vehicle operation insurance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field
• Two years of experience in a government agency, community-based organization, educational or healthcare setting is desirable.

Nice to Have

• Two years of experience in a government agency, community-based organization, educational or healthcare setting

Benefits