PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER

County of Santa Cruz
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
NURSE PRACTITIONER

Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Candidates Encouraged to Apply

Supplemental Questionnaire Required

Open and Promotional
Job # 26-PJ5-AA

Salary: $198,245 – 222,934 / Annually

**September 2026 – 3.5% increase to base pay

Closing Date: Monday, July 6, 2026

County Equity Statement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every status,
providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.

Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering an
environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

THE JOB: Under direction, performs mental health evaluations including psycho-social assessments of
individuals, establishes psychiatric diagnosis; orders and evaluates diagnostic tests; formulates treatment
plans and manages follow-up care; and performs other work as required. The list established from this
recruitment will be used to fill current and future positions during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required
knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain this knowledge and
abilities would be:

Possession of a master’s degree in nursing, master’s degree in a clinical field related to nursing, or a
graduate degree in nursing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Completion of a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Possession
and maintenance of a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of
Registered Nursing. Possession and maintenance of a valid Nurse Practitioner Certificate issued by the
California Board of Registered Nursing. Possession and maintenance of a valid Nurse Practitioner Furnishing
Certificate issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing (Furnishing Certificate enables a Nurse

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Apply online at: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Practitioner to administer and/or order medications). Possession and maintenance of a valid Controlled
Substance Registration Certificate – Schedules II – V issued by Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) (Controlled Substance Registration Certification [DEA #]) enables a Nurse Practitioner
the ability to order level II – V controlled substance medications). Possession and maintenance of a valid
California Class C driver license or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the
appointing authority.

NOTE: Candidates licensed in another state and/or students in their final year of Psychiatric/Mental
Health Nurse Practitioner training may participate in the recruitment/examination process; however,
proof of all the above-mentioned, required certificates/licensure must be provided at the start of
employment.

Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required.

Environmental Factors: Exposure to odors, blood and other bodily fluids, communicable diseases, hostile or
violent individuals, exposure to noise and people yelling; and may be exposed to cigarette smoke.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of principles and methods of psychiatry; Laws and regulations governing
Nurse Practitioner scope of practice; Advanced principles, practices, and techniques of professional nursing,
psychiatric; assessment, diagnosis, treatment, documentation and follow-up of common mental disorders.
Working knowledge of causes and treatment of mental and emotional illness; Medical aspects of
psychological problems; psychosocial behaviors in illness; Diagnostic protocols; sterile techniques and
infection control; Routine diagnostic and treatment techniques used in practicing psychiatry; Medicare and
Medi-Cal regulations; Psycho education methodologies to work with individuals one-on-one or in groups;
Reporting laws on domestic violence, child and elder abuse, and neglect; Individual and group
psychotherapy; Current developments in the field of psychiatry; Mental health services, organization and
procedures; Principles and applications of clinical psychology, psychiatric work and various rehabilitative
services; Principles, practices and procedures used to detect, diagnose and treat common health problems;
Medication and drugs commonly prescribed, including medications therapeutic effect, side effects,
reactions and contraindications; Control and care of chronic and communicable disease, illness and
handicapping conditions; Normal and abnormal values of laboratory tests and their clinical significance;
Medical laws and regulations and the ethics of patient care; Basic interviewing and counseling techniques.

Ability to: Perform mental health and physical assessments including ordering, interpreting and evaluating
diagnostic tests and examinations; Perform comprehensive mutigenerational family assessments; Work
effectively as a team member in the delivery of mental health care services; perform collaboration
consultation with staff psychiatrists for more complicated psychiatric problems; Identify medical problems
and psychiatric disorders; develop and implement treatment plans; Safely administer medications including
psychotropic drugs; monitor and record patient’s medication usage and results; Perform job duties under
stressful conditions, analyze crisis situations accurately and take effective action; Educate individuals and
family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measure, medications or
treatment plans; Remain knowledgeable and proficient in mental health practices through readings,
research, professional organizations, academic training, and participation in direct patient services; Develop
and maintain effective workings relationships with individuals, staff, other health care professionals and
community groups and organizations; Adapt quickly and appropriately to a variety of situations and
personalities; Demonstrate tact, diplomacy and compassion to individuals and groups; Communicate
effectively both orally and in writing; and lift objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you
have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job
announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete
in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training
and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all
components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there
are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the
announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months, and your overall score will be based
upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is
necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to
remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and
supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean St. Suite 510,
Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will
meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing
date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that
requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new
employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation
and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County
contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA
Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average
compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability
Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have
their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to
cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees

Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

LIVE Here WORK Here PLAY Here

TC/cg 5/26

PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation
and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County
contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA
Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average
compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability
Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have
their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to
cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees

Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

LIVE Here WORK Here PLAY Here

TC/cg 5/26

PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS ARE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT. APPLICATIONS
RECEIVED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION WILL BE SCREENED OUT OF THE SELECTION
PROCESS.

Employment experience referred to in your responses must also be included in the Employment History
section of the application.

NOTE: Please answer the question(s) below as completely and thoroughly as possible, as your answer(s)
may be used to assess your qualifications for movement to take the next step in the recruitment process.

1a. Have you completed a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program?
 Yes
 No (If no, please answer 1b below)

1b. If you have not completed a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program, are you
enrolled in a PMHNP program AND currently in your final year of training?
 Yes
 No
 N/A

2. Do you possess a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of
Registered Nursing?
 Yes
 No

3. Do you possess a current Nurse Practitioner Certificate issued by the California Board of Registered
Nursing or enrolled in a Nurse Practitioner program AND currently in your final year of training?
 Yes
 No

4. Do you possess a current Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Certificate issued by the California Board of
Registered Nursing?
 Yes
 No

5. Do you possess a current Controlled Substance Registration Certificate – Schedules II – V issued by
Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration? If yes, please fax a copy to (831) 454-2240 or
scan and email to HumanResources@santacruzcountyca.gov
 Yes
 No

6. Describe your experience working with electronic health records.

7. Describe your experience working in a community mental health setting, include the populations you’ve
served (e.g. severely mentally ill, transitional age youth, geriatric, forensic, substance abuse, etc.)