Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in California
Behavioral Health Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand across county behavioral health departments, managed care organizations, community mental health centers, and school-based programs, and openings at every level from entry-level case aide through senior clinician. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Sacramento region, where large employers such as Dignity Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Alameda County Behavioral Health Services maintain substantial behavioral health workforces. The most in-demand specialties are substance use disorder counseling, co-occurring disorders treatment, and crisis intervention. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Insight for Life's Mission Statement
Insight for Life is committed to enhancing the quality of life, health, and well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through individualized services and supports. We are seeking compassionate, motivated individuals to join our professional team and provide 24-hour rehabilitation and treatment services. Team members support daily living activities and implement evidence-based interventions that promote independence, functional skills, and meaningful choice-making for the individuals we serve.
FACILITIES LOCATED IN WEST COVINA AND LA PUENTE
Positions available include:
- Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT)
- Direct Support Professionals (DSP1, DSP2)
- Caregivers (training and support included)
- Opportunities for growth available
Qualifications:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Certified in First Aid/CPR
- Valid Driver's License
- Pass a Criminal Record Clearance, and Fingerprint Clearance through the Department of Justice and FBI
- Able to pass a Pre-Employment Medical Evaluation, TB Clearance and Drug Screening.
- Able to speak and write in English
- Good physical health and mentally capable of performing assigned tasks.
- Able to attend weekly staff meetings and monthly in-service training sessions
- Legal right to work in the U.S.
- Ability to work well with others, creative problem-solving skills, strong advocacy skills, enthusiastic, multitask, innovative, practices good judgment, non-prejudice, practices equality, willing to learn, patient, flexible.
Insight For Life Corp provided the following inclusive hiring information:
We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants equally, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.
Schedule & Pay:
Full-Time & Part-Time (Must be available to work one shift either Saturday or Sunday)
6:00 AM – 2:00 PM
2:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Must be available to work at least two PM shifts during the week)
10:00 PM – 6:00 AM
Salary: $17.00 - $25.00 per hour (DOE & Qualifications)
Expected hours: 24 – 40 per week (8 hour shifts)
Duties:
- Provide direct care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities
- Assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as grooming, bathing, and meal preparation
- Implement behavioral therapy strategies to address challenging behaviors
- Maintain accurate and detailed medical documentation in compliance with HIPAA regulations
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure the well-being of individuals
- Utilize applied behavior analysis techniques to promote positive behaviors
- Conduct data collection and analysis to track progress and outcomes
- Support individuals in educational and recreational activities
Skills:
- Proficiency in medical terminology related to developmental disabilities
- Experience in behavioral health or special education settings
- Knowledge of data collection methods for tracking individual progress
- Familiarity with applied behavior analysis principles
- Strong interpersonal skills for working with individuals with developmental disabilities
This position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. If you are passionate about providing quality care and support, we encourage you to apply for this fulfilling role as a Direct Support Professional.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $17.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid orientation
- Paid sick time
- Paid training
- Professional development assistance
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Preferred)
- Night Shift (Preferred)
- Overnight Shift (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
See All 280+ Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in California
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Find JobsBehavioral Health Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Blue Rose Consulting Group61

- HiredFirst10H
- Turning Point Community Programs9

- Kaiser Permanente6

- Sutter Health5

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services11
- Non-Profit & Social Services2
- Government & Public Sector1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health specialist jobs across California.
- Active registration with the California BBS or a BBS-recognized licensure pathway required
- Bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, social work, or a related behavioral science field
- Experience conducting behavioral health assessments and developing individualized treatment plans
- Knowledge of California Medi-Cal documentation standards and managed care billing requirements
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team in community mental health or clinical settings
- Proficiency in electronic health record systems such as Avatar, Epic, or Clinician's Gateway
Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health specialist in California?
Most behavioral health specialist roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or counseling, with many employers preferring a master's degree. Positions involving clinical services typically require registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist while working toward full licensure. County behavioral health departments often require passage of civil service exams alongside meeting these educational and registration standards.
Which companies hire behavioral health specialists in California?
Employers hiring behavioral health specialists in California right now include Blue Rose Consulting Group, HiredFirst, and Turning Point Community Programs, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large county-operated behavioral health systems, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and integrated health networks are consistently among the most active sources of full-time openings across the state.
Which California cities have the most behavioral health specialist jobs?
Vallejo, Los Angeles, and Sacramento have the most behavioral health specialist openings in California. Los Angeles dominates because of its scale, the density of county-funded mental health programs, and major health system headquarters, while San Diego and Sacramento generate strong volume through a combination of military-connected behavioral health contracts, county programs, and academic medical centers tied to UC campuses.
Are there remote behavioral health specialist jobs in California?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many behavioral health specialist roles involve direct client contact in clinic, school, or community settings. About 11% of behavioral health specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and the positions most likely to allow remote work are those focused on care coordination, utilization review, or telehealth-delivered counseling rather than hands-on case management or crisis response.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a behavioral health worker, mental health rehabilitation specialist, or community health worker role, which California county behavioral health departments and federally qualified health centers regularly fill without requiring prior clinical licensure. Large California county systems such as Los Angeles Department of Mental Health and San Bernardino County Behavioral Health post entry-level positions designed for recent graduates, and completing a field practicum or internship through a California State University MSW or counseling program is the credential that most consistently converts to a hire.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, preferred location, and specialty area, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 280+ Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in California
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