Special Education Teacher

About the role

The Department of Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services is the recognized leader in the delivery of substance use and mental health services to the residents of Santa Barbara County. The Department's Mission is to promote the prevention of and recovery from addiction and mental illness among individuals, families and communities by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services.

Responsibilities

• Stays current on changes in California laws related to the treatment and detention of clients;
• Represents the ADMHS Director on issues related to compliance in designated hospitals and outpatient programs;
• Investigates consumer complaints related to mental health services and participates in due process hearings required by law;
• Makes recommendations to the ADMHS Director on policies and procedures that will ensure staff of ADMHS and its contractors conform to legal requirements;
• Makes recommendations to the ADMHS Director on policies and procedures that will ensure staff of ADMHS and its contractors conform to legal requirements;
• Makes recommendations to the ADMHS Director on policies and procedures that will ensure staff of ADMHS and its contractors conform to legal requirements;
• Monitors designated mental health service programs and facilities for compliance with statutory protections pertaining to the treatment rights of mentally ill patients;
• Serves as a member of the department’s Quality Management and Quality Improvement Committees and as a member of a statewide coalition of county advocates to provide input to state legislators regarding issues affecting patients’ rights;
• Provides training and education about mental health law and patients’ rights to mental health service providers including staff of ADMHS, local hospitals, and community-based organizations.

Requirements

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a field related to the delivery of mental health services and three years of experience as a case worker, clinician, or social worker in a public mental health agency;
• Or a combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the above employment standard and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: interviewing and conflict resolution techniques; laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the treatment rights of mentally ill individuals, including California civil commitment law and due process rights of consumers of mental health services; rights of patients in institutional and community facilities; ethics and principles of patient or consumer advocacy; health care administration; and English grammar, spelling, and usage.
• Ability to: collect and analyze information, draw logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations; prioritize and organize the work of self and others; learn and apply practices of supervision; establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers of mental health services and their families, treatment staff, community organizations, and partners in the legal process surrounding patients’ rights; speak effectively on behalf of clients; represent the department and the County with tact and diplomacy; exercise independent judgement; maintain objectivity and confidentiality; prepare a variety of written documents such as reports and policies; communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Skills

• Fluency in speaking, reading, and writing English and Spanish.

Benefits

READ THE COMPLETE LIST OF BENEFITS BY CLICKING ON THE TAB ABOVE.

Pay

Details on pay are provided in the supplemental information section.

Schedule

Details on schedule are provided in the supplemental information section.