Mental Health Field Placement Program

Salary: See Position Description Location : Berkeley, CA Job Type: Temporary Job Number: 2026-01-Z001 Department: HHCS Health Division: Mental Health Opening Date: 01/05/2026 Closing Date: 5/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay. As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city. JOB OPPORTUNITY The City of Berkeley invites graduate students to apply for the Mental Health Field Placement Program! This program is designed to provide training and hands-on learning opportunities in association with students' formal education during the academic year (from August/September to May/June). Berkeley Mental Health fosters a supportive environment with training and mentorship provided by seasoned clinical staff. Student trainees/interns will benefit from training in a clinical setting by integrating their coursework with relevant examples in case management, community outreach, crisis support, and psychotherapy for individuals and families. Trainees/interns will also have the opportunity to learn key skills for successfully navigating a dynamic community mental health system of care: Medi-Cal industry-standard documentation requirements High-quality treatment planning Electronic record keeping Community-responsive skills and tools Students may apply for field placement in one of two clinical service areas: Adult Mental Health Team: Trainees/interns will gain educational experience in the clinic at the Adult Mental Health Center and in various community settings including homes, board and care facilities, shelters, and the streets. Services are provided to Berkeley residents over the age of 18 who are dealing with severe mental illness. Incoming first-year graduate students are welcome to apply for placement with this team. High School Health Centers: Trainees/interns will gain educational experience at the Health Centers located at Berkeley High School and Berkeley Technology Academy. Services at the Health Center 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 prior to the beginning of field placement with this team. Student trainees/interns are not employees and do not receive wages or benefits. The City may provide a stipend in order to account for certain costs related to the program, such as travel to and from facilities. The anticipated stipend for the 2026-2027 school year is $6000. The amount of the stipend will be equal for all trainees/interns who complete the program. Onboarding will begin on August 10, 2026, subject to change. Mandatory training will be scheduled for August 17, 2026. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must be current students enrolled in a relevant graduate program (Master's level) at one of the following schools: Alliant International University California Institute of Integral Studies California State University East Bay Palo Alto University Samuel Merritt 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 Applicants must be willing to commit to 24 hours per week during the academic year. APPLICATION PROCESS Applicants must submit: Completed application Resume Cover letter: Please explain why you are interested in Berkeley Mental Health and why you are interested in the service area(s) to which you are applying (Adult Mental Health and/or High School Health Centers). Two (2) letters of recommendation: One letter must be from a professor, teacher, or advisor from your current university program. Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format. EXAM PROCESS The exam process will include, but may not be limited to: Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents Selection interview Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application. PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. DISASTER SERVICE WORKER All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster. Benefits are not offered for this classification. 01 Please indicate the school where you are currently enrolled. You must be enrolled at one of these schools for Fall 2026 to be eligible for this program. Alliant International University California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) California State University East Bay Palo Alto University Samuel Merritt 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 02 Please indicate your degree program. The program is not accepting PsyD or PhD students for Fall 2026. MA or MS MSW MEd or EdS 03 Please indicate the name of your academic program. Clinical Psychology Counseling / Counseling Psychology Counseling and Guidance Clinical Mental Health Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy School Psychology / School Counseling Social Work / Social Welfare Other Not Listed 04 If you selected "Other Not Listed," please list your program below. You may also indicate your concentration/specialization if applicable. 05 What is your current program year (academic year 2025-2026)? Incoming student (1st year starting Fall 2026) 1st year 2nd year 3rd year or higher 06 What is your expected graduation date? 07 Which Berkeley Mental Health clinical service team(s) are you applying to? You may select more than one. NOTE: Incoming students (1st year starting Fall 2026) are eligible only for the Adult Mental Health Team. Adult Mental Health Team High School Health Centers 08 Please list the name and email address of your field placement advisor. 09 I acknowledge that I have reviewed all of my answers to the above supplemental questions for accuracy. Yes 10 I acknowledge that the Berkeley Mental Health Field Placement Program does not constitute employment and that a stipend is not guaranteed. I understand that, should I be accepted to this program, my participation in the program does not entitle me to an offer of employment with the City of Berkeley now or in the future. Yes Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04