Licensed Clinican- Case Manager III

Job Title:                 Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician

Alternate Title:     Case Manager III

Program:                 All FSC Programs

Reports To:            Chief Operating Officer

FLSA Status:          Exempt

Revision Date:       June 2026

Shift:                          Day, as scheduled

Summary: The Case Manager III (Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician) provides clinical assessment, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and treatment planning for individuals experiencing homelessness in First Step Communities’ shelter programs. Using a trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, and client‑centered approach, the clinician delivers individual and group behavioral health services, collaborates closely with shelter case managers, and ensures coordinated care across medical, mental health, and substance use systems. This position requires active licensure (LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Clinical Assessment & Treatment

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments, including mental status exams, risk assessments, and DSM‑5‑based clinical formulations. ("Conduct thorough assessments of client’s mental health status…" appears in your document and supports this edit.)
• Provide individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and short‑term clinical interventions using evidence‑based modalities appropriate for individuals experiencing homelessness. ("Provide psychotherapy and other mental health services…" supports this edit.)
• Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans that integrate behavioral health goals with shelter case management goals.
• Deliver crisis intervention, safety planning, and de‑escalation support for clients experiencing acute mental health symptoms.

Collaboration & Integrated Care

• Work in close partnership with shelter case managers to coordinate behavioral health treatment with housing navigation, benefits enrollment, and case planning.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to review client progress, identify barriers, and align clinical and case management strategies.
• Serve as a clinical consultant to shelter staff, providing guidance on trauma‑informed approaches, behavioral health symptoms, and client engagement strategies.
• Coordinate care with external providers, including mental health, primary care, substance use treatment, and psychiatric services.

Client Support & Advocacy

• Advocate for client access to appropriate behavioral health, medical, and social services.
• Provide psychoeducation on mental health, coping skills, medication adherence, and wellness strategies.
• Support clients in navigating complex systems, including Medi‑Cal behavioral health plans, county mental health access lines, and specialty mental health services.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation in accordance with BBS standards, HIPAA, and program requirements. ("Accurately complete all necessary forms, reports and paperwork…" supports this edit.)
• Complete HMIS entries, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries within required timelines.
• Uphold all mandated reporter responsibilities and document/report concerns in compliance with state law.

Shelter‑Based Clinical Support

• Provide on‑site clinical presence to support a safe, therapeutic shelter environment.
• Offer consultation and brief interventions during behavioral escalations or crises.
• Assist with client transitions, including hospitalizations, psychiatric evaluations, and re‑entry to shelter.

Training & Staff Development

• May provide training to shelter staff on trauma‑informed care, mental health symptoms, de‑escalation, and best practices for working with individuals experiencing homelessness.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In addition, the education, experience, and other skills listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

Education and/or Experience:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage & Family Therapy from an accredited institution.
• Experience providing clinical services to individuals experiencing homelessness, severe mental illness, co‑occurring disorders, or trauma histories strongly preferred.
• Experience working in field‑based, shelter‑based, or community mental health settings preferred.

Interpersonal Skills and Professional Conflict Resolution: The successful candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals experiencing homelessness, colleagues, and community partners. This position requires:

• Exceptional communication skills — able to convey information clearly, listen actively, and adapt communication style to diverse audiences and situations.
• Professional conflict resolution abilities — able to de‑escalate tense situations, mediate disagreements, and address challenging behaviors using trauma‑informed, culturally responsive approaches.
• Emotional intelligence and self‑regulation — able to remain calm, grounded, and solution‑focused during high‑stress interactions or crises.
• Collaborative problem‑solving — able to work constructively with shelter case managers, clinical staff, and external providers to resolve issues and support client progress.
• Respectful boundary‑setting — able to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while fostering trust, rapport, and therapeutic engagement.
• Ability to give and receive feedback — open to coaching, able to provide constructive input to colleagues, and committed to maintaining a positive, professional team environment.
• Commitment to non‑retaliatory, civil workplace interactions — able to navigate disagreements or misunderstandings in a manner consistent with FSC’s values and expectations for workplace civility.

Language Skills: English language ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization. Ability to provide training to large groups of clients and employees. Fluency in a language other than English is not required, but preferred.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute means, median, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: A Clinical Counselor must be proficient in electronic documentation and digital communication tools essential for behavioral health practice. This includes the ability to accurately complete assessments, progress notes, and treatment plans in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and enter required data into HMIS. Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite—particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook—is required for documentation, data tracking, and communication.

The counselor must also be able to use HIPAA‑compliant communication platforms, telehealth systems, and secure email, while maintaining strict confidentiality of Protected Health Information (PHI). General digital literacy—such as navigating cloud‑based systems, organizing electronic files, and using basic office technology—is essential for effective service delivery in a fast‑paced, community‑based environment.

Licensure Requirement: Must hold an active, unrestricted license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC. Registration as an associate (AMFT/ASW/APCC) does not meet the requirements for this position.

A valid California Driver’s License is required for this position. Candidates who currently hold an out‑of‑state driver’s license must obtain a California driver’s license within 60 days of hire, in accordance with California Vehicle Code requirements. Proof of an acceptable driving record and current auto insurance must be provided and maintained as a condition of employment.

Other Position Requirements: 

• A background check is required.  
• A TB test is required. 
• Ability to get along and work effectively with others.  
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.   

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain clinical and professional boundaries while working in a non‑traditional, fast‑paced shelter environment.
• Ability to provide clinical services outdoors or in non‑office settings when needed.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Sacramento community organizations and community resources.
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills.
• Ability to exercise extreme patience.
• Ability to think quickly and respond calmly to stressful/emergency situations.
• Good time management skills, able to prioritize and multi-task.
• Able to stand, walk, and be on your feet throughout the workday.

Physical and Emotional Demands: The physical demands 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. The inability to cope with a stressful work environment does not constitute a protected disability.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

Must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: 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. First Step Communities operates emergency shelter environments, including some that are outdoors. Exposure to heat, cold, and rain are commensurate with the weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no staff supervisory responsibilities.