Behavioral Health Clinician Jobs in California
Behavioral Health Clinician jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with demand concentrated in community mental health centers, county behavioral health departments, managed care organizations, and integrated health systems at every level from entry-level associate clinician through senior clinical supervisor. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area lead hiring volume, with large employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Anthem Blue Cross maintaining consistent openings. The most in-demand specialties are substance use disorder treatment, child and adolescent mental health, and crisis intervention. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 40+ Behavioral Health Clinician jobs
Company Description
The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees at the Department of Public Health work to advance equity, inclusion, and diversity with a specific lens and focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status.
- Application Deadline – Continuous
- Compensation: $122,304 to $148,564 annually
- Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service
- Recruitment ID: CCT-2932-H00041
- Work Arrangement: Onsite
The Mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. Fulfilling this mission requires employees working across our hospitals, clinics, programs, and offices to deliver services and support the communities we serve. Individuals interested in joining SFDPH should expect to work in person across these settings. The San Francisco Health Network, Population Health, Behavioral Health Services, and Administration are the core divisions of SFDPH. The San Francisco Health Network is the City’s only complete system of care and has locations throughout the City, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and over 15 primary care health centers. The Population Health Division (PHD) provides core public health services for the City and County of San Francisco: health protection, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and disaster preparedness and response. Behavioral Health Services operates in conjunction with SFHN and provides a range of mental health and substance use treatment services.
- ✅Start with this Required Exam: forms.gle/jTfCE8kxqw5yay8k9
- Then, submit an online application.
Job Description
Under direction, the 2932 Senior Behavioral Health Clinician performs essential duties that include, but are not limited to the following:
- Supervises one or more Class 2930 Behavioral Health Clinician/2931 Marriage, Family and Child Counselor and/or unlicensed support personnel by preparing and maintaining work schedules, performance appraisals; coordinating activities of a multidisciplinary team; and monitor productivity of staff;
- Supervises the psychosocial assessment of client/patients for behavioral health services in behavioral health and/or primary care settings; monitors process to ensure clients/patients are referred to appropriate care provider; reviews forms and procedures related to the intake process; and prepares written care summaries for the purpose of coordinating care;
- Performs clinical evaluations in the more difficult individual cases by participating in the interviewing, diagnosing and disposition of these cases, including referring to other staff members or disciplines for further treatment;
- Performs regular and effective treatment in the more difficult and complex cases by applying intensive casework and psychotherapy techniques for the benefit of client/patient; observes client/patient’s condition and reactions; determines degree of danger presented to patient and others;
- May conduct group psychotherapy and case management on a scheduled basis in connection with administering direct treatment to patients; observes evaluates and analyzes changes; determines treatment goals at successive intervals during treatment process;
- Charts and assures staff’s charting of medical records according to departmental and regulatory standards, both written and electronic;
- Organizes community health education outreach and consultation involving the development of workshops and seminars, training and coordination of programs and services; acts as consultant to other agencies and participates in negotiation and development of outreach services; and
- May perform Quality Improvement activities such as chart audit and compliance review.
The 2932 Senior Behavioral Health Clinician performs related duties as required. Nature of work requires carrying out, interpreting and enforcing existing legal provisions, policies, methods and procedures in connection with psychiatric welfare work; achieving considerable economies and/or preventing considerable losses through enforcing careful and judicious interpretations of various legal provisions, methods and procedures in approving and recommending assistance; making regular contacts with employees, supervisors, applicants, recipients, their families, other departments, community organizations and others concerned; gathering and checking detailed psychiatric, financial, personal and confidential information. Nature of duties involves normal physical effort and manual dexterity with occasional accident and injury hazards and exposure to disagreeable element when dealing with mentally ill or emotionally disturbed persons. Please note that incumbents in this classification may be required to perform duties as listed in the class specification, which can be found on DHR’s website: https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/
Qualifications
⚠️Both Ⓐ & Ⓑ Required Before Applying⚠️
Minimum Qualifications
Ⓐ Possession of a valid license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for
+ Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
+ Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) OR
+ Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
AND
Ⓑ Two (2) years of verifiable experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). One (1) year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a forty (40) hour work week).
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education or experience verification is required, information on how to verify education and experience requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Additional Information
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following.
Training and Experience Examination: (Weight 100%)
The Training and Experience Examination (forms.gle/jTfCE8kxqw5yay8k9) that is linked in this job ad is a required part of the application. It measures knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in job-related areas which may include, but are not limited to:
- Knowledge of federal, state, local, and other existing legal provisions/policies governing client eligibility, health facilities, confidentiality, conditions reportable to authorities, care and safety of the client and others, and the applicable provisions of the Welfare and Institutions Code and the Mental Health Act;
- Decision-making ability;
- Knowledge of principles of psychiatric case management;
- Knowledge of clinical methods;
- Knowledge of appropriate resources;
- Self-protection/assessment;
- Written communication skills;
- Oral communication skills;
- Ability to supervise.
Candidates must achieve a passing score on the T&E exam in order to continue in the selection process and will be placed on the confidential eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.
Certification
The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of List.
Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. Candidate names will remain on the list for a maximum period of 12 months. Candidates that are not selected and expire off the list may re-apply. To find Departments which use this classification, please see the city’s Position Counts by Job Codes and Departments.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.
[Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.]
The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission.
Additional information regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Information About the Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Worker
- ADA Accommodation
- Veterans Preference
- Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process. Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment. Please consider using a personal email address that you check regularly rather than a work or school account. Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110. Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues. Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Your application will be active for the duration of the eligible period listed above. You do not need to reapply during this period.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst, Hanz Pagao (she/her/hers) at hanz.pagao@sfdph.org or (628) 271-6839.
We may use text messaging to communicate with you if you include a mobile number in your application. The first message will ask you to opt in to text messaging.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Company Description
The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees at the Department of Public Health work to advance equity, inclusion, and diversity with a specific lens and focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status.
- Application Deadline – Continuous
- Compensation: $122,304 to $148,564 annually
- Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service
- Recruitment ID: CCT-2932-H00041
- Work Arrangement: Onsite
The Mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. Fulfilling this mission requires employees working across our hospitals, clinics, programs, and offices to deliver services and support the communities we serve. Individuals interested in joining SFDPH should expect to work in person across these settings. The San Francisco Health Network, Population Health, Behavioral Health Services, and Administration are the core divisions of SFDPH. The San Francisco Health Network is the City’s only complete system of care and has locations throughout the City, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and over 15 primary care health centers. The Population Health Division (PHD) provides core public health services for the City and County of San Francisco: health protection, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and disaster preparedness and response. Behavioral Health Services operates in conjunction with SFHN and provides a range of mental health and substance use treatment services.
- ✅Start with this Required Exam: forms.gle/jTfCE8kxqw5yay8k9
- Then, submit an online application.
Job Description
Under direction, the 2932 Senior Behavioral Health Clinician performs essential duties that include, but are not limited to the following:
- Supervises one or more Class 2930 Behavioral Health Clinician/2931 Marriage, Family and Child Counselor and/or unlicensed support personnel by preparing and maintaining work schedules, performance appraisals; coordinating activities of a multidisciplinary team; and monitor productivity of staff;
- Supervises the psychosocial assessment of client/patients for behavioral health services in behavioral health and/or primary care settings; monitors process to ensure clients/patients are referred to appropriate care provider; reviews forms and procedures related to the intake process; and prepares written care summaries for the purpose of coordinating care;
- Performs clinical evaluations in the more difficult individual cases by participating in the interviewing, diagnosing and disposition of these cases, including referring to other staff members or disciplines for further treatment;
- Performs regular and effective treatment in the more difficult and complex cases by applying intensive casework and psychotherapy techniques for the benefit of client/patient; observes client/patient’s condition and reactions; determines degree of danger presented to patient and others;
- May conduct group psychotherapy and case management on a scheduled basis in connection with administering direct treatment to patients; observes evaluates and analyzes changes; determines treatment goals at successive intervals during treatment process;
- Charts and assures staff’s charting of medical records according to departmental and regulatory standards, both written and electronic;
- Organizes community health education outreach and consultation involving the development of workshops and seminars, training and coordination of programs and services; acts as consultant to other agencies and participates in negotiation and development of outreach services; and
- May perform Quality Improvement activities such as chart audit and compliance review.
The 2932 Senior Behavioral Health Clinician performs related duties as required. Nature of work requires carrying out, interpreting and enforcing existing legal provisions, policies, methods and procedures in connection with psychiatric welfare work; achieving considerable economies and/or preventing considerable losses through enforcing careful and judicious interpretations of various legal provisions, methods and procedures in approving and recommending assistance; making regular contacts with employees, supervisors, applicants, recipients, their families, other departments, community organizations and others concerned; gathering and checking detailed psychiatric, financial, personal and confidential information. Nature of duties involves normal physical effort and manual dexterity with occasional accident and injury hazards and exposure to disagreeable element when dealing with mentally ill or emotionally disturbed persons. Please note that incumbents in this classification may be required to perform duties as listed in the class specification, which can be found on DHR’s website: https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/
Qualifications
⚠️Both Ⓐ & Ⓑ Required Before Applying⚠️
Minimum Qualifications
Ⓐ Possession of a valid license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for
+ Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
+ Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) OR
+ Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
AND
Ⓑ Two (2) years of verifiable experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). One (1) year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a forty (40) hour work week).
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education or experience verification is required, information on how to verify education and experience requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Additional Information
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following.
Training and Experience Examination: (Weight 100%)
The Training and Experience Examination (forms.gle/jTfCE8kxqw5yay8k9) that is linked in this job ad is a required part of the application. It measures knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in job-related areas which may include, but are not limited to:
- Knowledge of federal, state, local, and other existing legal provisions/policies governing client eligibility, health facilities, confidentiality, conditions reportable to authorities, care and safety of the client and others, and the applicable provisions of the Welfare and Institutions Code and the Mental Health Act;
- Decision-making ability;
- Knowledge of principles of psychiatric case management;
- Knowledge of clinical methods;
- Knowledge of appropriate resources;
- Self-protection/assessment;
- Written communication skills;
- Oral communication skills;
- Ability to supervise.
Candidates must achieve a passing score on the T&E exam in order to continue in the selection process and will be placed on the confidential eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.
Certification
The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of List.
Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. Candidate names will remain on the list for a maximum period of 12 months. Candidates that are not selected and expire off the list may re-apply. To find Departments which use this classification, please see the city’s Position Counts by Job Codes and Departments.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.
[Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.]
The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission.
Additional information regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Information About the Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Worker
- ADA Accommodation
- Veterans Preference
- Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process. Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment. Please consider using a personal email address that you check regularly rather than a work or school account. Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110. Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues. Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Your application will be active for the duration of the eligible period listed above. You do not need to reapply during this period.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst, Hanz Pagao (she/her/hers) at hanz.pagao@sfdph.org or (628) 271-6839.
We may use text messaging to communicate with you if you include a mobile number in your application. The first message will ask you to opt in to text messaging.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
See All 40 Behavioral Health Clinician Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Clinician Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Clinician Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- The People Concern14
- Stanford Medicine Children's Health4
- LifeStance Health3
- City and County of San Francisco2
- Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center2
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services15
- Non-Profit & Social Services14
- Education4
- Consulting & Professional Services3
- Government & Public Sector3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health clinician jobs across California.
- Active California licensure such as LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or registered associate status with the BBS
- Master's degree in social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related clinical field
- Experience delivering individual and group therapy using evidence-based modalities such as CBT or DBT
- Familiarity with California Medi-Cal documentation standards and electronic health record systems
- Ability to conduct mental health assessments and develop individualized treatment plans
- Experience serving diverse populations including justice-involved, unhoused, or dual-diagnosis clients
Behavioral Health Clinician Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health clinician in California?
Becoming a behavioral health clinician in California requires a master's degree in social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy, followed by registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an associate. Associates must complete supervised clinical hours and then pass the licensure exam for their credential, earning the LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC designation. County behavioral health departments and large health systems regularly hire registered associates while they complete their supervised hours.
Which companies hire behavioral health clinicians in California?
Employers hiring behavioral health clinicians in California right now include The People Concern, Stanford Medicine Children's Health, and LifeStance Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large county behavioral health systems, federally qualified health centers, and integrated managed care plans also represent a significant and consistent share of openings throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most behavioral health clinician jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Corona have the most behavioral health clinician openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego generate the highest volume because of their large county behavioral health departments, dense federally qualified health center networks, and major health system campuses, while the Bay Area's concentration of managed care organizations and academic medical centers drives strong demand in that region as well.
Are there remote behavioral health clinician jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most clinical fields, since telehealth delivery is now a standard modality for outpatient therapy in California. About 25% of behavioral health clinician openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting ongoing telehealth adoption by managed care plans and group practices. Outpatient individual therapy and care coordination roles are the positions most likely to offer fully remote or hybrid schedules, while crisis, residential, and intensive outpatient roles remain on-site.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health clinician in California with little or no experience?
Registering as a Board of Behavioral Sciences associate immediately after graduation is the most direct entry path, because it allows you to apply for positions where the employer provides required supervision. California county departments, federally qualified health centers, and large systems like Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health regularly hire registered associates for staff clinician roles. Case manager and mental health rehabilitation specialist positions are common lateral entry points that build clinical experience, and bilingual Spanish fluency is a meaningful credential advantage throughout the state.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health clinician jobs in California?
You can find and apply to behavioral health clinician jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers across the state. Find roles that fit your license status, specialty, and preferred region and apply directly to the listings that match.
See All 40 Behavioral Health Clinician Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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