Position Information

If you are passionate about providing quality psychiatric nursing care and want to make a positive impact on individuals experiencing mental health crises, we encourage you to apply!

Starting salary up to $72.99/hour ($152,338/year), a competitive total compensation package*, a $20,000 hiring bonus**, AND additional possible premiums based on location and hours!

Please note that p ossession of a current, valid California license as a Registered Nurse (RN) is required.

About The Position

We are seeking dedicated and compassionate Psychiatric Nurses to join our team in the Department of Health Services' Behavioral Health Division. As a psychiatric nurse, you will be part of a 24-hour multidisciplinary team in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and play a critical role in providing specialized care to those in our community experiencing psychiatric emergencies. Some of the key responsibilities are:

Observing clients and collaborating with primary care providers and other medical professionals to ensure continuity of care
Assisting in maintaining client safety through regular safety checks
Supporting clients with daily living activities, including meal preparation and other skills
Administering medications and providing medication education to clients
Taking and documenting vital signs and maintaining accurate and up-to-date client charts
Providing crisis intervention and de-escalation, using seclusion and restraint as necessary

As An Ideal Candidate To Join The Team, You Will Collaborate Effectively With a Multi-disciplinary Team And Possess Many Of The Following:

Comfort working independently, with an understanding of when to seek consultation
Attention to detail for accuracy in clinical documentation and patient care
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and sometimes high-pressure environment
Commitment to a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach in care delivery
Prior professional experience working with individuals with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders
Experience with or willingness to learn electronic health record systems
Familiarity with harm reduction strategies in client care
Familiarity with local community resources
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply, though bilingual skill sets are not required

Additional Information

The Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) has multiple full-time and part-time Psychiatric Nurse positions, which may include evening, night, and holiday shifts. Employees assigned to work in the CSU receive an additional five percent (5%) premium pay for each hour or portion of an hour worked on-site (refer to SEIU MOU for details). Please note that the facility assignment premium is subject to change through the standard labor negotiation process.

In addition to the CSU premium, employees working evening and night shifts are eligible for extra compensation as follows:

Evening Zone (2:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.): 5% premium of the base hourly rate for each eligible hour worked.
Night Zone (10:00 p.m. – end of assigned shift): 10% premium of the base hourly rate for each eligible hour worked.

Interview and Referral Process

To be considered for the first round of interviews, applicants must submit their completed application by July 1, 2025
First-round interviews will be conducted on July 9, 2025
Weekly referrals will continue on Wednesdays following the initial deadline

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

Hiring Incentive** - (Prorated based on FTE) The Department of Health Services is currently offering a $20,000 signing bonus paid over three installments during the first two years of service
Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
Student Loan Debt Relief – County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

This recruitment is being conducted to fill full-time and part-time Psychiatric Nurse positions in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include graduation from an accredited school of nursing.

Professional License: Possession of a current California license as a Registered Nurse (RN). RN license must be maintained as a condition of employment in this classification. Possession of current CPR and First Aid certifications is desirable.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The positions advertised on this announcement do not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Working knowledge of: principles, techniques, and trends of behavioral health with particular reference to mental health and substance use disorder diagnoses and treatment, human development, motivation, personality, learning, individual and cultural differences, adaption, and social interaction; psychiatric rehabilitation, Trauma-Informed Care, and Recovery-Oriented Care; modern methods, techniques, and procedures used in general and professional psychiatric nursing; medical and psychiatric terminology, equipment and facilities.

Knowledge of: the uses and effects of medicines and narcotics; laws governing treatment of involuntary clients; rehabilitation and counseling techniques; and skill in observing and recording client behavior; the principles and techniques of psychiatric and social assessment and evaluation; the methods and techniques of physical restraints; community agencies, resources, and services.

Ability to: provide effective psychiatric nursing care to clients with behavioral health needs; exercise patience and judgment in recognizing symptoms indicative of adverse client reactions; follow oral and written directions of a technical and professional nature in exact detail; communicate client history and needs accurately and succinctly; develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of clients with behavioral health challenges; effectively intervene and direct staff in emergency situations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departmental staff and representatives of other agencies; administer treatment plans, medicines, and narcotics as prescribed; communicate with clients and their families empathetically and compassionately; prepare, interpret, and maintain accurate nursing records and reports; write progress notes to Medi-Cal standards; occasionally restrain clients; stand and walk for long periods; work under psychological and physical strain; and lift or move heavy objects on an occasional basis.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient.

The Selection Procedure Will Consist Of The Following Examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

Interview and Referral Process

To be considered for the first round of interviews, applicants must submit their completed application by July 1, 2025
First-round interviews will be conducted on July 9, 2025
Weekly referrals will continue on Wednesdays following the initial deadline

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How To Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: SZ

HR Technician: KK

County of Sonoma

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