See Behavioral Health Specialist 1.

Specialist or intensive service worker who assists, counsels and interviews the more difficult cases such as the defective delinquent, assaultive, regressed, and severely withdrawn institution patients/residents.

This is the specialist level of the series. Incumbents at this level perform under general direction while conducting specialized assignments that require a higher degree of independent judgment. Duties include providing one-on-one engagement, facilitating individual and group activities, and encouraging problem-solving and calming activities and skills. These positions provide input and participate in the drafting of treatment plans, field instructions or standard operating procedures and assist with on-the-job training for Behavioral Health Specialist 1s.

Collaborates and consults with treatment teams for treatment planning as it pertains to the specific, related needs the patient must mitigate/alleviate to reduce the impact of their psychological and emotional impairments that lead to problematic behavior;

Documents and discusses observations/findings regarding treatment needs, behaviors, symptoms, risks, with appropriate staff;

Actively engages patients in direct care leading or co-leading Active Treatment Groups;

Provides a safe, effective, and immediate response for patients during a psychiatric crisis;

Counsels with and advises patients/residents,

Interviews patients/residents, to secure and compile personal data and social history;

Contacts and assists persons and their families in contacting other agencies and organizations to arrange for employment, post‑institutional care, pensions, and similar services;

Compiles and prepares reports on individual's progress, reactions, and overall adjustment; makes or assists in making recommendations on treatment, training and release of individual;

Follows up on post‑institutional adjustment of those released;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: principles and practices of interviewing; individual and group behavior; social and economic factors; laws and rules related to institutional care, custody, and treatment.

Ability to: interview effectively, evaluate persons or situations and adopt a proper course of action; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain successful personal relationships with others.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A Bachelor's degree preferably involving major study in sociology, psychology or other social science.


Two years of professional counseling or casework experience.


One year as a Behavioral Health Specialist 2.


Equivalent education/relevant experience.

New class Effective October 1, 1968
Revises minimum qualifications January 1, 1969
Revises minimum qualifications January 12, 1977
New class code: (formerly 35460) effective July 1, 2007.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2017, effective 7/1/2017.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Revised title, previously Institutional Counselor 3; revised class series concept, distinguishing characteristics, knowledge and abilities, desirable qualifications; base range increase from 50 to 52; adopted June23, 2025; effective July 1, 2025.