Senior Client Support Specialist

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Possession of a Bachelor Degree with significant coursework in community mental health, psychology, sociology, mental health or other closely related field of study. Experience as a Client Support Specialist, or the equivalent, may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

OR

Four years of paid experience working with adults diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness or children diagnosed with serious emotional disturbances that included independent interviewing, client plan development, and interventions in potentially destabilizing situations.

OR

Possession of current licensure in the State of California as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician and 2 years experience working with adults diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental or emotional condition, or with children diagnosed with serious emotional disturbances that included independent interviewing, client plan development, and interventions in potentially destabilizing situations.

Driver’s License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Special Qualifications: Some positions may require the ability to speak and write fluently a language other than English.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working Knowledge of: Community resources and services available to program clients; principles and techniques of case management and rehabilitative interventions; client legal rights; interviewing techniques, clinical and case management documentation; basic principles of individual and group behavior; principles and techniques of intervention in potentially destabilizing situations; counseling and basic interaction techniques related to the treatment of mentally or emotionally disturbed individuals; techniques and methods for overseeing and directing the daily activities of mentally and emotionally disturbed individuals; and the use of electronic information equipment and specific systems as used within the department.

Ability to: Develop and maintain the trust and cooperation of clients, their families and other significant care providers; interpret and apply County mental health program policies and procedures; analyze a client’s situation accurately and adopt an effective course of action; work with clients to resolve conflicts with other staff, care providers or family members; work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; understand the legal mandates governing the storage of client records and information and the rights of the client to confidentiality; understand and apply the principles and techniques of case management and rehabilitative interventions with clients; effectively coordinate the delivery of mental health services; conduct basic interviews and counseling sessions and facilitate groups; communicate effectively with persons from a variety of social, cultural and economic backgrounds; evaluate situations and adopt effective course of action to prevent a crisis; identify and mobilize resources to meet client needs; speak and write in a manner necessary to fulfill job requirements; read, interpret, and apply complex regulations and reports.