Behavioral Health Practitioner

Job Summary

Are you a culturally competent and compassionate behavioral health professional committed to supporting at-promise youth and their families? The Santa Barbara County Education Office is seeking a dedicated Behavioral Health Practitioner to join our Juvenile Court and Community Schools team. In this vital role, you will provide individual, group, and family therapy; coordinate treatment and case management; and collaborate with educators and community partners to help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

As a key member of our interdisciplinary team, you’ll offer clinical expertise, crisis support, and behavioral health guidance to students with diverse needs—including those with a history of behavioral or disciplinary challenges and students in the juvenile justice system. Your work will help strengthen families, connect them with essential resources, and contribute to a safe, supportive learning environment.

If you are an empathetic, team-oriented professional who brings strong clinical skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to equitable and culturally responsive care, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact in our community.

This position requires fluency in Spanish and is eligible for a 5% salary differential.

Our ideal candidate

You are a culturally competent and empathetic professional with creative problem-solving skills who cares deeply about the students and families receiving your services. You are a team player, skilled in your area of expertise, and you use your knowledge and skills to accomplish collective goals.

General description

Under general direction, provide culturally competent individual, group, and family therapy in order to: help children and students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally; strengthen families and connect them with the resources they need; and create a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment, in collaboration with educators and other prof

Requirements / Qualifications

Requirements
A typical way to qualify for this classification would be:

Education: Possession of a qualifying master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

Experience: Three years of post-licensure experience providing therapy to at-promise (at-risk) youth or families, preferably in a school environment.

Comments and Other Information

Compensation:
Initial salary placement: $57.70–$66.51 per hour. Eligible employees may also receive a $2,000 stipend for a master’s degree or a $3,000 stipend for a doctorate. Additionally, incumbents who pass the bilingual assessment will receive a 5% salary differential.