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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Overview

Open roles45+
Top employerHealthRIGHT 360
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring28
Work type87% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 45+ Behavioral Health Specialist jobs

SCAN Health Plan
Behavioral Health Specialist
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SCAN Health Plan
Added 1mo ago
Behavioral Health Specialist
SCAN Health Plan
Sacramento, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
$34 - $49/hr
Hybrid
Master's
1,001-5,000

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HealthRIGHT 360
Case Manager I, Employment Specialist
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HealthRIGHT 360
New 2h ago
Case Manager I, Employment Specialist
HealthRIGHT 360
Escondido, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Social Work & Counseling
Mental & Behavioral Health
$23 - $25/hr
On-Site
High School
201-500

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Golden Valley Health Centers
Peer Support Specialist
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Golden Valley Health Centers
Added 4d ago
Peer Support Specialist
Golden Valley Health Centers
Modesto, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$23 - $25/hr
On-Site
High School
501-1,000

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County of San Mateo
Peer Support Specialist I/II
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County of San Mateo
Added 1w ago
Peer Support Specialist I/II
County of San Mateo
San Mateo, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$31 - $43/hr
On-Site
None
5,001-10,000

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County of San Mateo
Family Partner Support Specialist I/II
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County of San Mateo
Added 1w ago
Family Partner Support Specialist I/II
County of San Mateo
San Mateo, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$31 - $43/hr
On-Site
None
5,001-10,000

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See All 45 Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in California

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Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
6 jobs
San Francisco
5 jobs
Pomona
3 jobs
San Mateo
3 jobs
Escondido
2 jobs
Fresno
2 jobs
Stockton
2 jobs
Woodland
2 jobs
Coachella
1 jobs

Behavioral Health Specialist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • HealthRIGHT 360
    HealthRIGHT 36010
  • JWCH Institute
    JWCH Institute4
  • LifeStance Health
    LifeStance Health4
  • University of California, San Francisco
    University of California, San Francisco3
  • County of San Mateo
    County of San Mateo2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services31
  • Education9
  • Insurance5
  • Government & Public Sector1
  • Non-Profit & Social Services1

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 HealthRIGHT 360, JWCH Institute, and LifeStance Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Pomona 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 13% of behavioral health specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 45 Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in California

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