Job Details

Mental Health Field Placement Program

Join the City of Berkeley to apply for the Mental Health Field Placement Program.

Benefits of Working for Berkeley

Berkeley, California is a small city with a big reputation: it has 10 square miles of land and 7 square miles of water, a top‑ranked university, over 50 parks, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay. As an employer, the City offers the benefits of a public sector career while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation.

Job Opportunity

The program is designed for graduate students to receive training and hands‑on learning during the academic year (August/September to May/June). Students benefit from training in case management, community outreach, crisis support, and psychotherapy for individuals and families. They also learn skills needed to navigate the dynamic community mental health system of care.

Key Skills Developed

• Medi‑Cal industry‑standard documentation
• High‑quality treatment planning
• Electronic record keeping
• Community‑responsive skills and tools

Clinical Service Areas

• Adult Mental Health Team: Experience in the Adult Mental Health Center and community settings such as homes, board‑and‑care facilities, shelters, and streets. Services are for Berkeley residents over 18 dealing with severe mental illness. First‑year graduate students are welcome.
• High School Health Centers: Experience at Berkeley High School and Berkeley Technology Academy Health Centers. Services include individual counseling, crisis assessment, group counseling, collateral work with parents/caregivers and school staff, and outreach. Students must complete at least one year of their graduate program before placement.

Stipend

Student trainees/interns are not employees and do not receive wages or benefits. The City may provide a stipend of $6,000 for the 2026–2027 school year, equal for all participants who complete the program.

Onboarding

Onboarding begins on August 10, 2026 (subject to change) and mandatory training is scheduled for August 17, 2026.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Graduate students (Master's level) enrolled at any of the following schools: Alliant International University, California Institute of Integral Studies, California State University East Bay, Palo Alto University, San Francisco State University, Saint Mary's College of California, Smith College, University of California Berkeley, University of San Francisco, University of Southern California, The Wright Institute.
• Commit to 24 hours per week during the academic year.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

• Completed application
• Resume
• Cover letter explaining interest in Berkeley Mental Health and chosen service area(s)
• Two (2) letters of recommendation: one from a professor, teacher, or advisor at the current university

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio, braille, large print, electronic text) upon request. Submit requests to ...@berkeleyca.gov.

Exam Process

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents
• Selection interview

Pre‑Employment Process

Candidates will undergo a background/reference check covering employment history, educational credentials, licenses, criminal history, and fingerprinting.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

The City of Berkeley is an EEO employer. Employment actions are administered irrespective of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or other protected status.

Reasonable Accommodations

Individuals requesting accommodations in the examination process must submit a written request to ...@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.

Disaster Service Worker

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers during emergencies or disasters.