CLINICAL COUNSELOR - High Desert State Prison (HDSP)

This is a limited term position which may be extended or become permanent. Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit 19 and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees to have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and receive 5 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Part-time employees are subject to the same conditions on a prorated basis equivalent to their time-base. Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition based on the number of hours worked in the pay period.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) employees may be eligible for a $5,000 referral bonus if the selected candidate remains employed with CCHCS for 90 days. A questionnaire must be completed during the pre-employment process for consideration.

About the Role

Under the general direction of the Sr. Psychologist, Supv/Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker I, the Clinical Counselor (CC) works in Mental Health Services. The CC applies counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic techniques within the scope of applicable Business and Professions Code(s) and license to improve an incarcerated individual’s mental health and the effectiveness of preventative skills and behaviors developed for wellness. The CC works preventatively with the incarcerated population, including those not in the mental health delivery system, to provide incarcerated patient access, outreach, and prevention wellness strategies.

Responsibilities

• Apply counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic techniques to improve mental health outcomes for incarcerated individuals.
• Provide preventative mental health services, including outreach and wellness strategies, to the incarcerated population.
• Collaborate with departmental staff, governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities to enhance public safety and reintegration efforts.
• Participate in the California Model, a systemwide initiative to transform correctional practices, improve workplace conditions, and support rehabilitation and re-entry.

Requirements

• Valid license to practice counseling or psychotherapy within the scope of applicable Business and Professions Code(s).
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other agencies, and community partners.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, culturally diverse workplace and providing equitable care to a diverse correctional population.

Benefits

• Eligibility for a $5,000 referral bonus for CDCR/CCHCS employees (conditions apply).
• Opportunity to contribute to the California Model, a transformative initiative improving correctional and re-entry practices.

Pay

Salaries listed do not reflect the 3% base salary reduction under the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025), which is in effect through June 2027.