Job Details

Shasta County Behavioral Health And Social Services Patients' Rights Advocate

The current vacancy is in the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency Behavioral Health and Social Services Branch. Oral exam is tentatively scheduled for July 2026. Responses to supplemental questions required. Final filing date: July 24, 2026, at 12:00 PM. Salary information $4,963 - $6,335 approximate monthly / $28.63 - $36.55 approximate hourly. This position is in the United Public Employees of California General bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor Agreements.

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency partners with the community to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of Shasta County residents. The Behavioral Health & Social Services Branch is dedicated to improving the well-being of our community through comprehensive mental health services and essential social services to adults, children, and families.

Under direction, advocates for and protects the statutory and constitutional rights of individuals receiving mental health services, including representation at certification review hearings for patients receiving involuntary treatment; monitoring mental health facilities for compliance with patients' rights laws; providing patients' rights training and education; and performing other related duties as required.

Examples Of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Monitors mental health facilities, services and programs for compliance with statutory and regulatory patients' rights provisions; ensures that recipients of mental health services are notified of their rights; receives and investigates complaints from those residing in licensed health or community care facilities regarding abuse, unreasonable denial or punitive withholding of rights guaranteed under the provisions of Division 5 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code; reports violations of rights directly to the State Department of Mental Health; provides training and education on mental health laws and patients' rights to mental health providers; exchanges information and cooperates with the State Patients' Rights Office; advocates for involuntarily detained mental health service recipients at conservatory hearings and trials; interviews and counsels service recipients; may drive a vehicle in the course of business and may transport others.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following: Knowledge of: Basic civil commitment statutes and procedures; basic patients' rights in institutional and community facilities; basic administrative and judicial due process proceedings; basic service system financial entitlements and rights of persons receiving mental health services; interviewing techniques; advocacy ethics and principles. Ability to: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with recipients, providers, public administrators, community groups, and the judicial system; learn and apply appropriate state and federal laws; maintain confidential client information; investigate and assess complaints and screen for legal problems; make appropriate referrals; communicate well both orally and in writing.

Minimum qualifications: Education or experience equivalent to two (2) years of paid or volunteer experience in a human service agency. Mental health and/or paralegal background is preferred. Special requirements: Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is frequently required to operate a motor vehicle and may occasionally drive for long distances.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Application And Selection Procedures

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 12:00 p.m., on July 24, 2026. A resume and/or cover letter will be accepted in addition to the application but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as "Refer to resume and/or cover letter," or "See attached resume and/or cover letter." The application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will not be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered.

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion in the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.

Veterans' Credit: Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran must provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) with the employment application on or before the final filing date. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting Fair Chance Act | CRD.

Shasta County is an equal opportunity employer.