Mental Health Counselor II - Biliterate (Spanish/English) Preferred & Grant Funded Positions Subject to Lay-off at the End of Grant. at Santa Cruz County Office Of Education
About the Employer
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is committed to ensuring all students have the educational opportunities they need to thrive. We offer a wide range of services and programs geared at supporting our 10 public school districts and expanding educational opportunities and outcomes for the nearly 40,000 students who call Santa Cruz County home. We envision an impactful educational community where everyone feels they belong and have the resources, relationships, and skills to thrive. Our mission is to create an equitable educational system that fosters growth, opportunities, and well-being for all. We work alongside partners in Santa Cruz County’s educational community to build BRIDGES — Belonging, Relationships, Innovation, Data-informed decision-making, Growth mindsets, Excellence, and Sustainability — to equity in education. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is an equal opportunity employer.
Job Summary
Job Summary
These positions will be assigned to Student Support Services: Under the general direction of a licensed clinician, provides associate-level clinical services as a member of the school-based mental health and wellness team within Santa Cruz County’s continuum of care. Primary duties include providing direct mental health and wellness services and case management to students and families, assisting in the development and delivery of schoolwide mental health and wellness interventions, programs, and trainings, and working as part of a care team at a school site. May exercise leadership responsibilities over other staff; may exercise technical and functional leadership of other staff. All positions are 10 month positions in which the employee will report from August to May while school is in session. The expected start date for these positions will begin in the 2024-2025 school year. All positions are grant-funded and subject to lay off in December 2026. After the grant funding sunsets, this position’s funding is anticipated to be sustained by revenue generated through the Multi-Payer Fee Schedule. All positions are biliterate (Spanish/English) preferred. If you are licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences with one of the following licenses: LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC, then please also consider applying for Mental Health Counselor III. If you are not licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, please also consider applying for Mental Health Counselor I.
Requirements / Qualifications
Please read the complete job description. Education: Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Experience: One (1) year of experience in direct counseling with diverse students and families, including: Successful collaborative experience in child welfare, mental health, or probation services is preferred; direct support experience with at-promise youth; experience implementing complex programs and strategies related to mental health, truancy prevention, and family systems; experience supporting students in need of mental health services in a school setting. License or Certificate: Possession of a valid California Board of Behavioral Sciences Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) license, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) license, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) license, or proof of submission of a qualifying application for one of these licenses. License must be granted within 90 days of employment start date. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license and appropriate vehicle operation insurance. If you are licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences with one of the following licenses: LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC, then please also consider applying for Mental Health Counselor III. If you are not licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, please also consider applying for Mental Health Counselor I.
Application Procedures: Applicants must submit a completed application and are encouraged to attach a résumé and license (ASW, AMFT, APCC) to the application material. Qualified applicants will be invited to an oral examination covering the knowledge and skills required. An eligibility list will be established and the top three ranks of candidates will be interviewed for final consideration and appointment. The eligibility list established will remain in effect for a period of six (6) months unless it no longer exists due to an insufficient number of available candidates. If an applicant needs reasonable accommodation, we must be informed prior to the administration of the test. If selected, fingerprinting is required. You will need to supply our office with a negative tuberculosis test clearance. The certificate is good for a four-year period. You can have the test done through the Santa Cruz Health Department, Doctors on Duty Clinic or by calling a physician or a clinic of your choice.
Requirements / Qualifications
Please read the complete job description. Education: Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Experience: One (1) year of experience in direct counseling with diverse students and families, including: Successful collaborative experience in child welfare, mental health, or probation services is preferred; direct support experience with at-promise youth; experience implementing complex programs and strategies related to mental health, truancy prevention, and family systems; experience supporting students in need of mental health services in a school setting. License or Certificate: Possession of a valid California Board of Behavioral Sciences Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) license, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) license, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) license, or proof of submission of a qualifying application for one of these licenses. License must be granted within 90 days of employment start date. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license and appropriate vehicle operation insurance. If you are licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences with one of the following licenses: LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC, then please also consider applying for Mental Health Counselor III. If you are not licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, please also consider applying for Mental Health Counselor I.
Application Procedures: Applicants must submit a completed application and are encouraged to attach a résumé and license (ASW, AMFT, APCC) to the application material. Qualified applicants will be invited to an oral examination covering the knowledge and skills required. An eligibility list will be established and the top three ranks of candidates will be interviewed for final consideration and appointment. The eligibility list established will remain in effect for a period of six (6) months unless it no longer exists due to an insufficient number of available candidates. If an applicant needs reasonable accommodation, we must be informed prior to the administration of the test. If selected, fingerprinting is required. You will need to supply our office with a negative tuberculosis test clearance. The certificate is good for a four-year period. You can have the test done through the Santa Cruz Health Department, Doctors on Duty Clinic or by calling a physician or a clinic of your choice.
Comments and Other Information
Benefits: Employees assigned to this schedule are entitled to receive vision, dental and medical coverage for the employee and their dependents. Employees have a choice between various medical plans. Each plan may have an employee premium contribution amount for which the employee can utilize a tax sheltered Section 125 Plan. Retirement benefits are accrued through the Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS members are required to pay their portion of the retirement plan. The employee also receives long-term disability insurance and life insurance. For more information please review the Classified Summary of the Benefits Administration Page on the Santa Cruz County Office of Education website or read it on the link to the right under Links Related to this Job.
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education provides an Associate Degree stipend of $375, a Bachelor’s Degree stipend of $750, a Master's Degree stipend of $1,500, a Doctorate Degree (no Master's) of $1,500 or a Doctorate Degree (with Master's) of an additional $400 per year for eligible employees. Degree stipend is prorated based upon full time equivalent.
INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT:
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is excited to recruit a dedicated Mental Health Counselor for The Companion Project, an innovative initiative providing essential behavioral health and substance use support to students, families, and staff across Santa Cruz County public schools. This role is designed for compassionate professionals who are committed to making a meaningful impact by helping students navigate mental health challenges, reduce barriers to care, and foster emotional well-being and academic success.
As a Mental Health Counselor with The Companion Project, you will work closely with school districts as an extension of their mental health teams, providing direct services, case management, and care navigation to students who may be disengaged from school due to emotional, behavioral, or substance use concerns. Over time, you will develop expertise in navigating these systems to provide students and families with the most effective, accessible, and equitable care possible. Additionally, the role allows for social work intern licensing supervision hours if desired.
If you are passionate about supporting students, reducing stigma around mental health, and working collaboratively within schools and the community, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity to be a vital part of The Companion Project.
After the grant funding sunsets, we anticipate this position’s funding to be sustained by revenue generated through the Multi-Payer Fee Schedule.
You may contact Lauren Fein, LMFT for further information:
lfein@santacruzcoe.org or 831.466.5703
Comments and Other Information
Benefits: Employees assigned to this schedule are entitled to receive vision, dental and medical coverage for the employee and their dependents. Employees have a choice between various medical plans. Each plan may have an employee premium contribution amount for which the employee can utilize a tax sheltered Section 125 Plan. Retirement benefits are accrued through the Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS members are required to pay their portion of the retirement plan. The employee also receives long-term disability insurance and life insurance. For more information please review the Classified Summary of the Benefits Administration Page on the Santa Cruz County Office of Education website or read it on the link to the right under Links Related to this Job.
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education provides an Associate Degree stipend of $375, a Bachelor’s Degree stipend of $750, a Master's Degree stipend of $1,500, a Doctorate Degree (no Master's) of $1,500 or a Doctorate Degree (with Master's) of an additional $400 per year for eligible employees. Degree stipend is prorated based upon full time equivalent.
INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT:
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is excited to recruit a dedicated Mental Health Counselor for The Companion Project, an innovative initiative providing essential behavioral health and substance use support to students, families, and staff across Santa Cruz County public schools. This role is designed for compassionate professionals who are committed to making a meaningful impact by helping students navigate mental health challenges, reduce barriers to care, and foster emotional well-being and academic success.
As a Mental Health Counselor with The Companion Project, you will work closely with school districts as an extension of their mental health teams, providing direct services, case management, and care navigation to students who may be disengaged from school due to emotional, behavioral, or substance use concerns. Over time, you will develop expertise in navigating these systems to provide students and families with the most effective, accessible, and equitable care possible. Additionally, the role allows for social work intern licensing supervision hours if desired.
If you are passionate about supporting students, reducing stigma around mental health, and working collaboratively within schools and the community, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity to be a vital part of The Companion Project.
After the grant funding sunsets, we anticipate this position’s funding to be sustained by revenue generated through the Multi-Payer Fee Schedule.
You may contact Lauren Fein, LMFT for further information:
lfein@santacruzcoe.org or 831.466.5703
Application Deadline
4/2/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
Date Posted
3/19/2025
Contact
Number of Openings
2
Salary
Pay Range
$42.03 - $53.41 Per Hour
$42.03 - $53.41 Per Hour
Add'l Salary Info
Based on the 2024-2025 Classified Salary Schedule (Salary range placement depends on education/experience).
Length of Work Year
40 hours per week/ 10 months per year/ 1 FTE
Employment Type
Full Time