Job Description
For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section. About The Position The County of Riverside’s Human Resources Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) seeks to fill a Temporary Behavioral Health Specialist III to support the Behavioral Health Department in Desert Hot Springs, California. Under general supervision, teams with behavioral health professionals in planning and providing behavioral health services; provides general counseling, case management, community outreach, and prevention services; performs other related duties as required. The Behavioral Health Specialist III is the journey level classification in the Behavioral Health Specialist series and reports to a supervisory or mid-level manager position. Incumbents team with behavioral health professionals in the provision of client or participant treatment and prevention services to directly assist clients or participants in the utilization of appropriate community resources, provide education and information to the community, and provide support, encouragement, advocacy, and related services in order to assist the client or participant in coping with immediate situations with no attempt to modify or change the consumer's personality structure. The Behavioral Health Specialist series differs from the Clinical Therapist series in that the latter, due to advanced education and experience, uses independent judgment in making diagnoses, developing treatment plans, and providing a wide range and variety of behavioral health services including psychotherapy. The Behavioral Health Specialist III is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Specialist II by the former's assignment of primary case responsibilities in the Substance Abuse Program and the specialized knowledge and skills required to work with alcoholics, drug abusers, and other substance abusers, and to deliver effective prevention services. The Behavioral Health Specialist III is further distinguished by the responsibility of providing one or more types of client services, including screening and referral to a variety of substance abuse programs, substance abuse counseling, community outreach, and prevention activities. Meet the Team! Riverside University Health System-Medical Center consistently receives national recognition for its progressive and innovative care, as well as being known as one of the top employers in the region. The 439-bed Medical Center is a designated Stroke Center, Level II Trauma Center, and the only Pediatric ICU in the region. Can you see yourself here? For more information on RUHS-Medical Center, please visit www.ruhealth.org . About TAP The Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) recruits and hires temporary employees for all County departments. TAP assignments are a great way to learn about working for the County while working on a temporary, at-will basis. Click here to learn more about TAP: https://rc-hr.com/temporary-medical-assignment-program-tapmap TAP Benefits: https://rc-hr.com/files/users/user116/COR\_2026\_TAP\_Guide\_FINAL.pdf Examples Of Essential Duties Interview, evaluate and counsel clients relative to alcoholism or drug abuse. Refer clients to County operated and/or community treatment facilities (e.g., detoxification centers, hospitals, recovery homes, residential treatment programs, or DUI program providers). Provide individual and group counseling sessions for clients and their families affected by substance abuse. Participate in joint County-community agency efforts in providing educational and prevention services to control and prevent substance abuse. Under direct supervision, monitor and evaluate program providers and determine compliance with program requirements; assist in planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing program design within the program; assist in resolving crises for clients and their families. Participate in substance abuse treatment and prevention programs; conduct community visits to assist substance abuse clients and their families achieve success in the program. Monitor client's course after discharge to ensure continuum of care and provide for adjustment. Under supervision, may monitor a variety of County and state mandated program providers by conducting site visits and record reviews to ensure compliance with County and state mandates. Assist in makin