Client Services Counselor - I

Job Description

Introduction

Living in Placer County from Placer County Video Portal

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

POSITION INFORMATION

Placer County is currently accepting applications for Client Services Counselor - I and Client Services Counselor - II. Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications and examination requirements. To participate in the recruitment at the I level, II level, or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications and supplemental questionnaires for each recruitment:

• Client Services Counselor - I: #2026-14450-02
• Client Services Counselor - II: #2026-14451-02

The Client Services Counselor - I is a bachelor's degree, entry-level position in the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Client Services Counselor - II is a bachelor's degree, journey-level position in the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Client Services Counselor performs a broad spectrum of duties including, but not limited to, providing direct services/case management support to clients facing difficult situations, emotional stresses, or significant changes in their lives as well as addressing emotional, behavioral, substance use, and/or mental health disorders, and homelessness, lack of employment and/or education in individuals and families.

Client Services Counselors assist individuals to cope with the situation at hand, advocate for them, and assist them in seeking out valuable resources and other means of support.

Opportunities in HHS could include:

Adult System of Care

• Adult Protective Services
• In-Home Support Services (IHSS)
• Mental Health Services, Housing and Homeless Services
• Quality Management
• Substance Use Disorders

Children’s System of Care

• Mental Health Services, including outpatient, in home support and wraparound
• Child Welfare Services, including intake, family time, ongoing support services, and Resource Family Approval

Human Services

• Employment Services, including the Business Advantage Network (BAN)

The eligible list created by this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies within the department for both temporary/extra-help and permanent positions. This recruitment will also be used to fill both open and promotional vacancies in various County departments as they arise, subject to specific position requirements.

Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to working 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

Subject to approval by the appointing authority and upon successful completion of a foreign language proficiency examination, an additional 5% bilingual pay will be paid to employees who use a second language on a regular basis in the normal course of business.





BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To perform a variety of professional case management and direct client services duties; to coordinate and act as liaison with other departmental and community services/resources; and to function as an integral and supportive member of assigned departmental and multi-disciplinary team(s).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level class in the Client Services Counselor series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under general supervision while learning job tasks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from a supervisory/management position and may receive technical and functional supervision from a senior level professional.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide counseling and case management to assigned clients on an on-going basis; monitor and document treatment plans and activity strategies, provide linkage and refer clients to other departmental and/or community services and resources, conduct home/work site visits, and monitor and assess client status on an on-going basis.
  
• Conduct intake and screen applicants for designated services; review investigations and case studies utilized in the determination of the needs and qualifications of applicants/clients; determine appropriate services necessary and/or applicable to most effectively meet client needs.
  
• Coordinate and oversee clients involved in the learning and performance of designated living/working skills; evaluate and track the level of functional behavior; teach/train clients in appropriate behaviors/skills utilizing a multi-disciplinary team approach; and assist clients with re-entry into the community and/or work place.
  
• Participate in the development and on-going implementation of treatment plans, activity strategies, and other individualized programs to include behavior modification, basic financial management, social and workplace skills, job search, and other activities necessary for independent living; observe and interact with clients and families, employers, and other involved participants in a defined and professional manner and record observations and interactions.
  
• Assess applicant/client status and abilities relative to assigned program acceptance, appropriate placement, and/or on-going participation; conduct needs assessments, administer tests, and apply standardized criteria in making determinations and recommendations.
  
• Identify and report potential crisis situations or, within established procedures, apply appropriate intervention; document activities, behavior, incidents and interactions; be alert to all conditions and situations involving clients; counsel clients and provide positive role model behavior.
  
• Provide limited crisis intervention or conflict resolution in emergency/stressful situations requiring immediate attention.
  
• Lead group discussions and interactions regarding assigned program area and activities and the clients' participation in these activities; provide input and act as a resource to clients in a group environment.
  
• Provide outreach and referral networks to the community, general public, local employers, as well as public and private agencies; conduct training workshops and/or presentations to clients, care providers, community groups and the general public.
  
• Participate in and contribute to an inter-agency and community networking/referral system; evaluate clients' needs relative to appropriate program referrals; maintain close communication with contract providers, employers, and community service agencies to ensure treatment plan/activity strategies and client needs are being met in a successful manner.
  
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees community resources, clients, and the general public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
  
• Perform related duties as required.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of experience performing client services and support functions in a public health/social services environment is desirable.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in sociology, psychology, counseling, behavioral sciences or a related field.

Or: Possession of a license issued by the State of California as a Psychiatric Technician .

Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Standard and accepted terminology utilized in designated program areas and its relation to treatment and regulations affecting service provision.
  
• Techniques used in individual/group care, counseling, and treatment of designated client population, including the multi-disciplinary approach to providing services.
  
• Crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques, including management of assaultive behavior; seclusion and restraint philosophy.
  
• Use of medication in mental health treatment.
  
• Standard and accepted case management techniques.
  
• Standard and accepted interviewing and observation techniques and methods.
  
• Health and human services delivery systems and the multi-disciplinary approach to these systems.
  
• Standard and accepted English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar, and basic mathematical calculations.
  

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job and observe safety rules; intermittently review work papers, reports and special projects; identify and problem solve situations involving clients; identify safety hazards; locate equipment and supplies; remember clients' names; understand and explain Department policies and procedures to clients, families and the general public.
  
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time or while driving; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, or kneel while retrieving or returning files, documents and supplies and making copies; walk, stand, bend, squat, kneel, climb, or twist while conducting home/site visits or transporting client; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with sufficient acuity to observe and assess physical condition and living environment of client; and lift moderate weight.
  
• Assess financial, physical, mental and emotional well-being of applicants or clients.
  
• Develop adequate and appropriate case plans.
  
• Effectively interview individuals who may be physically, mentally and/or emotionally impaired or distressed.
  
• Relate positively to clients; establish trust and rapport; and display empathy.
  
• Learn how to develop a treatment plan or activities strategy.
  
• Work cooperatively as part of a team providing services and/or treatment to designated clients.
  
• Provide effective case management services and learn the community resources available to client population.
  
• Assess situations involving designated clients quickly and objectively, determine appropriate course of action and respond effectively using a variety of appropriate interventions and approaches.
  
• Prepare thorough documentation and maintain accurate and systematic records.
  
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
  
• Work assigned shift schedule.
  
• Use a telephone and photocopy machine, routine housekeeping equipment and recreational and athletic equipment.
  
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both in oral and written forms.
  
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Online Examination (100%)

After the posted filing deadline, qualified candidates will receive a notification via email when the examination is available. The online examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

Note: Candidates will have approximately three (3) calendar days from the date of notification to complete the online examination. Only one attempt will be permitted.

The online examination is tentatively scheduled for October 20th through 22nd, 2026.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Pre-Hire Requirements

Candidates must complete the following requirements before their start date if an offer is extended:

• DOJ Criminal Background Clearance: Successfully complete a fingerprint-based background check through the California Department of Justice.
  
• Medical Evaluation: Pass a pre-employment physical, which may include drug screening and/or a psychological evaluation.
  
• Oath of Office: Subscribe to the constitutional oath or affirmation as required for all public employees by the California Constitution.
  
• Employment Eligibility Verification: Provide original documents that establish both identity and the legal right to work in the United States, as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  

Position-Specific Requirements

In addition to the above, some positions may require one or more of the following:

• Age Verification: Provide documentation verifying that you meet the minimum legal age requirements for this position.
  
• Background Check: Some positions require a background investigation. This may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, polygraph, and/or proof of bonding.
  
• Law Enforcement: Applicants for law enforcement functions must complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process.
  
• Medi-Cal Access/Licensing: Applicants with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification.
  

Failure to clear all requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

Substitute Lists

The eligible list from this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies in similar roles or lower-level positions within the same career series (e.g., journey-level vs. entry-level).

• Interviews: If contacted to interview for a similar role, the hiring department will provide the specific job details before the interview.
  
• No Risk: Choosing not to interview for a different classification will not affect your standing on the original list for which you applied.
  

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Public Agency Eligible List
If you are a current or recent employee of another public agency, you may qualify for an expedited application process. Visit our Employees of Other Public Agencies page to view eligibility requirements, download required forms, and submit an application.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. All applicants and employees receive fair and equal consideration in every stage of employment. Employment decisions are based on job‑related qualifications and are not influenced by any protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. Refer to our Equal Employment Opportunity Program and Policy Statement (PDF ) for detailed information.

Applicants who need an accommodation during the recruitment or examination process should contact Human Resources at least five working days before the scheduled exam.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Bethany Clinkenbeard, Administrative Technician, at [email protected] or (530) 886-4669.

Closing Date/Time: 9/30/2026 5:00:00 PM