Mental Health Diversion Case Advisor [8133-Victim/Witness Investigator III]

Pertinent Recruitment Information:

• Application Opening: October 16, 2025
• Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than October 30, 2025.
• Appointment Type: Permanent-Exempt (PEX). Pursuant to the City & County of San Francisco Charter, Section 10.104.13. Any person occupying a position under exempt appointment shall not be subject to civil service selection, appointment, and removal procedures. Exempt employees shall serve at the discretion of the appointing officer.

About the Office: The San Francisco District Attorney's Office (SFDA) is one of the premier law enforcement organizations in the United States. Our mission is to collaborate with the City’s diverse communities and law enforcement agencies to make San Francisco one of the safest cities in America. Our office engages in public education and crime prevention efforts while maintaining the traditional role of investigating, charging, and prosecuting all criminal violations occurring within the City and County of San Francisco. The unparalleled opportunities for challenging, meaningful, and sophisticated work have consistently drawn top candidates to our office over the years.

The mission of the SFDA is to promote public safety. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins believes responsible reform does not have to come at the expense of public safety and public safety does not have to come at the expense of reform. The SFDA’s Office is committed to balancing both in the promotion of justice and safety for all.

About the program: The United States Department of Justice Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) is funded by the Judicial Council of California (JCC), in partnership with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). This multi-agency initiative is designed to support efforts to enhance gun relinquishment and prevention and improve access to treatment for participants in Mental Health Diversion (MHD) in San Francisco. The SFDA works closely with the Court, and partnering agencies (i.e., the Mental Health Association of San Francisco, University of California [UCSF] San Francisco Citywide Forensics, and the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project) on this initiative.

About the position: The SFDA seeks to hire a grant-funded Mental Health Diversion (MHD) Case Advisor who will work alongside MHD attorneys and a clinical team in order to ensure that proposed treatment plans take public safety into account and adequately address participants’ criminogenic risk and needs. This position will support decision-making related to MHD eligibility, suitability determinations, and treatment planning. Responsibilities include reviewing and evaluating historical records and providing feedback to the assigned prosecuting attorney on MHD suitability and treatment plan composition.

Under general direction, the MHD Case Advisor’s essential duties include but are not limited to:

• For individuals referred to MHD, review and evaluate existing behavioral health, criminal case file, and criminal history information and share feedback with the assigned prosecutorial attorney regarding MHD suitability.
• For individuals accepted into MHD, review and evaluate existing behavioral health, treatment plan, criminal case file, and criminal history information, and share feedback with the assigned prosecutorial attorney regarding treatment plan composition.
• As requested, collaborate with the MHD partners and treatment providers to review MHD treatment plans and offer recommendations grounded in evidence-based practices, with an objective of ensuring that plans effectively promote public safety and support recovery.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Requires a minimum of 4 years of training, education, and/or experience in social welfare, behavioral science, criminology, psychology or a closely related field and responsible social service, criminal justice or advocacy experience. 
 

Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, public policy, public health, criminal justice, or closely related field.
• Work experience or in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system including criminal court processes, the role of prosecution, or experience working with incarcerated individuals.
• Work experience or in-depth knowledge of best practices in recidivism reduction, alternatives to incarceration, behavioral health, and public safety.
• Experience with preparing and evaluating treatment plans.
• Experience with evaluating mental health diagnoses related to criminal investigations.
• Knowledge of classifications of psychotropic medications.
• Knowledge of behavioral health resources in San Francisco.
• Experience collaborating across government agencies.
• Ability to read and understand criminal case files.
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of criminal history and criminal justice information into succinct briefings.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.

Condition of Employment: Security Clearance. Candidates for employment with the District Attorney’s Office are required to undergo a background investigation to determine suitability for employment in the classification and Office. Failure to maintain security clearance may be the basis for termination from employment with the District Attorney’s Office.

Selection Procedure: Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience.  Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidates’ qualifications.  Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Office will be invited to participate in the selection process.  Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement in the process.  Additional supplemental materials may be requested during the recruitment process.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.