Behavioral Health Counselor ; University Health Services

Job

Location:

Main Campus-Berkeley

Employment type:

Full Time

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles
, Principles of Community
, and Strategic Plan
.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities.

Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

University Health Services (UHS) serves the campus as a comprehensive campus-based health center providing fully accredited medical care, counseling and psychological services, and innovative health promotion programs for students, faculty, and staff. Student Mental Health is a highly utilized, comprehensive student counseling service that assists students with a wide range of concerns including academic success, life management, career and life planning, crisis management, and emotional and psychiatric issues.

The First Review Date for this job is: 1/23/2026. This job will remain open until filled.

The Campus Mobile Crisis Response (CMCR) team will include behavioral health clinicians, a Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH) Confidential Crisis Advocate and support staff. The team will be available to provide support for students, staff and faculty on‑campus who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis or SVSH crises, as well as behavioral health crisis is defined as suicidal ideation/behaviors and self‑harm (non‑life threatening/lethal), disorientation, delusional or paranoid thinking, elevated mood - e.g. yelling, crying, upset, significant anxiety - interfering with daily functioning or mania.

In addition, the team may respond to campus communities in crisis such as after a campus tragedy, such a student death. This role will be responsible for providing a crisis de‑escalation, intervention and assessment, including 5150 evaluation, support with non‑critical welfare checks, urgent postvention support, and connecting identified clients with on‑campus and off‑campus referrals, including coordinate transportation for psychiatric evaluation, as needed.

The team will also support outreach and campus engagements efforts.

• Work collaboratively during designated shift with the other team member to provide emergency/crisis based in‑person assessment and intervention.
• Quickly assess the needs of individuals or communities experiencing a mental health crisis, and collaboratively create a response plan.
• Practice self‑awareness and cultural humility as a member of a diverse team; be conscientious and sensitive to interpersonal dynamics with other team members.
• Demonstrate strong ability to remain calm and attentive during crises, as well as to work through several separate crises during a single shift.
• Demonstrate a high level of resilience and self‑care as part of maintaining wellness in a high crisis and first responder position.
• Provide culturally responsive, trauma‑informed, harm reduction, and person‑centered mental health crisis assessment, intervention, de‑escalation for…