Behavioral Health Counselor 3 (4459C) University Health Services #83236

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

University Health Services (UHS) serves the campus as a comprehensive campus-based health center providing fully accredited medical care, counseling and psychological services, and innovative health promotion programs for students, faculty, and staff. Student Mental Health is a highly utilized, comprehensive student counseling service that assists students with a wide range of concerns including academic success, life management, career and life planning, crisis management, and emotional and psychiatric issues.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 1/23/2026. This job will remain open until filled.

Position Summary

The Campus Mobile Crisis Response (CMCR) team will include behavioral health clinicians, a Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH) Confidential Crisis Advocate and support staff. The team will be available to provide support for students, staff and faculty on-campus who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis or SVSH crises, as well as

Behavioral health crisis is defined as suicidal ideation/behaviors and self-harm (non-life threatening/lethal), disorientation, delusional or paranoid thinking, elevated mood - e.g. yelling, crying, upset, significant anxiety - interfering with daily functioning or mania. In addition, the team may respond to campus communities in crisis such as after a campus tragedy, such a student death. This role will be responsible for providing a crisis de-escalation, intervention and assessment, including 5150 evaluation, support with non-critical welfare checks, urgent postvention support, and connecting identified clients with on-campus and off-campus referrals, including coordinate transportation for psychiatric evaluation, as needed. The team will also support outreach and campus engagements efforts.

Responsibilities

DIRECT PATIENT CARE:
Work collaboratively during designated shift with the other team member to provide emergency/crisis bases in-person assessment and intervention:
Quickly assess the needs of individuals or communities experiencing a mental health crisis, and collaboratively create a response plan.
Practice self-awareness and cultural humility as a member of a diverse team; be conscientious and sensitive to interpersonal dynamics with other team members.
Demonstrate strong ability to remain calm and attentive during crises, as well as to work through several separate crises during a single shift.
Demonstrate a high level of resilience and self-care as part of maintaining wellness in a high crisis and first responder position.
Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, harm reduction, and person-centered mental health crisis assessment, intervention, de-escalation for individuals experiencing non-violent, behavioral health crisis on the UC Berkeley campus footprint.
Assess for suicidality, homicidal intent, violence risk, grave disability, and substance use using appropriate measurements, including C-SRRS, Mini Mental Status Exam, and others.
Complete 5150 Application as appropriate.
Coordinate transportation and care with receiving hospital.
Provide on site support/psychological first aid and coordination after campus traumas (e.g.,campus death).
Make appropriate referrals/linkage based on clinical needs.

COLLABORATION
Documents client progress, treatment recommendations, interventions and client response in the Electronic Health Records and other required systems to facilitate the sharing of information and coordination of care with other involved providers
Participates in and coordinates regularly scheduled and clinically indicated ad hoc multidisciplinary consultation meetings with colleagues to discuss relevant aspects of client care and help to ensure positive client outcomes
Uses shared decision-making techniques to work proactively with the client around the care plan and communicates plan to the care team
Functions as a liaison to campus partners and community mental health providers
Participates and leads outreach and educational programming with campus partners, students and community members.
Participates and completes assigned trainings in a timely manner.

CARE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT
Identifies improvements to systems, practices, and procedures and advocates recommendations to leadership.
Works with Campus Mobile Crisis Response team members, High Risk/Hospital Manager, Clinical Director, Referral Coordinator, Student Mental Health leadership , and Student Mental Health staff to develop protocols aimed at improving care delivery for at-risk clients and support Student Mental Health and medical providers using such protocols.
Develops, maintains, and shares internal UHS, campus, and community resources as appropriate with clients and staff to promote efficient quality care
Promotes the development of collaborative relationships with peers and other professionals by articulating practice issues and communicating through appropriate organizational channels.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Participates in staff meetings.
Adheres to principles of quality, customer oriented standards.
Demonstrates professionalism, courtesy, and sensitivity in all interactions with clients and staff
When assigned, actively participates on UHS committees and/or the development of new programs/ideas.
Is knowledgeable of client rights and responsibilities, rules of confidentiality and client privacy.
Readily accepts additional responsibility including assisting with the evaluation of unit operation/efficiency.
Maintains client records appropriately including confidentiality and completeness of notes. This includes written and electronic records.
Is knowledgeable of UHS and campus departments, services, locations.
Is knowledgeable of operational, administrative, business, and personnel policies * Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability as health care practices and related technology change.
Demonstrates an active investment in organizational and unit goals to improve customer service.
Implements University and UHS policies and procedures to assure a consistently high level of client care, safety and customer service.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Masters degree

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid mental health license in the state of California. (Licensed Psychologist, LCSW, LMFT, LPCC) or registration (ASW, AMFT, APCC) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology.
• A valid mental health license in the state of California (Licensed Psychologist, LCSW, LMFT, LPCC)
• 5150 Certification for Alameda County within 30 days of employment.
• BLS certified per UHS requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Minimum one year of experience providing behavioral health services in a public health, community mental health, crisis services, or other setting serving adults exhibiting mental health crisis, psychosis, substance-related mental health needs, etc.
• Minimum one year of experience working with college/university students or young adults.
• Must be able/willing to work flexibly and outside of a traditional clinical space, such as being outside during most of the shift, traveling in a vehicle and/or walking with others between crises, and physically move frequently during a shift.
• Demonstrated (through relevant work experience) ability to work with and honor highly diverse communities.

Preferred Qualifications

Multilingual (English, Spanish, Mandarin or Cantonese)

Driving Required

A valid driver's license and DMV check for driving record is required.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

• The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $70,100- $97,400.
• This is a 100%, full-time (40 hours per week), career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This position is exempt and paid monthly.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8-5pm or 9-6pm (1 hour lunch) (this position is not eligible for remote work)
• This position will work outside of the traditional working hours to meet the needs of the campus. A 10-12 hour shift structure may be implemented during the next academic year.
• This is not a visa opportunity.
• This position has a headcount of three.
• Your employment is dependent on obtaining and maintaining a credentialing clearance (if applicable), background clearance and medical clearance according to University Health Service policies.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Health Care Professionals Unit (HX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/hx/index.html.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace