Personnel Management Regulations Section 502, Suspension of Competition, authorizes the Director of Human Resources to suspend competition and approve direct appointment to merit system positions where use of competitive examination procedures are impractical. It also requires that a report of the suspension be reported to the Board of Supervisors. The Health Services Department is requesting direct appointment for the classifications of Mental Health Community Support Worker I and Mental Health Community Support Worker II. Positions are allocated to Behavioral Health, Public Health and the George Miller Wellness Center within Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers.
The Mental Health Community Support Worker-Project classification was established in 1994 with the intent to allow mental health consumers the opportunity to work in the mental health system by providing peer support to individuals currently receiving treatment. In April of 2000, the project classification was transitioned into the merit system classification of Mental Health Community Support Worker I and a second level classification of Mental Health Community Support Worker II was established to provide a career ladder and upward mobility for incumbents. Over the years, the role has expanded to include peer support to parents and family members of seriously emotionally disturbed children and adolescents as well as families of mentally ill adults. Additionally, the Office for Consumer Empowerment was formed, where Mental Health Community Support Workers work as advocates representing the mental health consumer perspective in the development and implementation of mental health programs, and work to decrease stigma and discrimination, and increase consumer involvement in quality improvement and system change activities.
To qualify for the positions, individuals must successfully complete a training program approved by the Behavioral Health Division. Per the job specifications, approved training includes the (1) Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training (SPIRIT) which involves 9-college units in two semesters of educational classroom training with a work-study/summer internship program; (2) National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Family-to-Family Training which involves a 12-session education program for families, significant others and friends of people living with mental illness; and (3) Family Partnership Training which also includes a 12-week educational course to parents and caregivers of children with mental illness.
Health Services has requested the direct appointment process for all current and future vacancies for Mental Health Community Support Worker I and II positions pursuant to Section 502. The Department's recruitment of qualified individuals shall be as follows: The Office for Consumer Empowerment will maintain a list of all graduates from the training programs. Depending on areas of interest in employment, candidates are matched and referred to hiring managers as vacancies occur. Candidates are invited to a hiring interview. If selected, the pre-employment screening process is completed before a final offer of employment is made. Permanent appointment of incumbents to these classifications also requires successful completion of a 9-month probationary period.
This action informs the Board of Supervisors that the Human Resources Director has determined that, based on the unique requirements associated with these classifications, a traditional competitive examination process would not be effective and Suspension of Competition is authorized pursuant to Section 502 for the Mental Health Community Support Worker I and II positions. This authorization may be revoked at any time should the Director of Human Resources determine that direct appointment is no longer appropriate.
If this action is not approved, the opportunity of mental health community peer and support workers to obtain gainful employment with Contra Costa County may be adversely impacted.