DescriptionThe Mental Health Specialist plays a vital clinical role in supporting veterans experiencing homelessness by providing compassionate, evidence based mental health services in a residential setting. This role delivers direct counseling, clinical case management, crisis intervention, and advocacy to a caseload of up to 19 veterans, using a harm reduction, trauma informed, and recovery oriented approach.
This is an ideal opportunity for a clinician who is passionate about working with veterans, thrives in multidisciplinary environments, and is committed to helping individuals with complex mental health and substance use needs achieve long term stability and independence.
What You’ll Do
As a Mental Health Specialist, you will provide hands on clinical support while building trusting relationships that promote healing and housing stability. Key responsibilities include:
• Provide clinical case management and short term individual counseling utilizing harm reduction and motivational interviewing frameworks
• Deliver substance use counseling and support to veterans seeking recovery services
• Conduct crisis intervention, suicide risk assessments, and coordinate emergency response when necessary
• Support residents in achieving individualized goals related to housing retention, independent living skills, income growth, and financial stability
• Facilitate group counseling sessions, psychoeducation groups, and community meetings
• Provide community based support services, including transportation when appropriate
• Collaborate closely with VA providers, behavioral health teams, case managers, and external partners to coordinate comprehensive care
• Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation including intakes, psychosocial assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries
• Participate in residential program operations such as wellness checks, medication reminders, and supportive daily living activities
• Maintain rotating after hours availability to respond to veteran emergencies
• Attend required trainings, supervision, and team meetings while contributing to continuous program improvement
QualificationsEducation and Licensure
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree preferred in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field meeting California BBS requirements for LMFT or LPCC licensure
• Active or associate clinical license LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC preferred but not required
Experience
• Minimum of two years providing direct mental health services to individuals with co occurring mental health and substance use disorders
• Experience working within homeless services, supportive housing, or residential treatment programs strongly preferred
• Demonstrated use of harm reduction, trauma informed care, and motivational interviewing
• Strong working knowledge of DSM 5 diagnostic criteria and crisis intervention practices
• Experience facilitating both individual and group therapy
Skills and Competencies
• Strong clinical judgment, crisis management, and de escalation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to build rapport with diverse, high need populations
• Collaborative mindset and comfort working on multidisciplinary teams
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic health record or case management systems
• Valid California driver’s license required
• Ability to complete a Food Handler’s Course upon hire
Work Environment
This role is based in a residential program serving veterans experiencing homelessness, trauma, and substance use challenges. The position requires moderate physical activity including walking, stair climbing, and extended periods of sitting. The environment is dynamic, mission driven, and team oriented.
Why Join U.S.VETS
U.S.VETS is the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive services for homeless and at risk veterans. Our mission is to end and prevent veteran homelessness by empowering veterans and their families through housing, clinical services, and advocacy.
When you join U.S.VETS, you become part of a purpose driven organization where your clinical expertise directly changes lives and strengthens communities.
Not sure you meet every qualification? We encourage you to apply. U.S.VETS values diverse experiences and believes great clinicians come from many paths.
