Mental Health Specialist 2 (underfill MHS1) - Juvenile Dept.

Mental Health Specialist 2 (underfill MHS1) - Juvenile Dept.

Salary

$30.14 - $48.96 Hourly

Location

Salem, OR

Job Type

Full-time Regular

Job Number

554-2026-29

Department

Juvenile

Division

Juvenile Counseling

Opening Date

10/12/2026

Closing Date

10/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

06

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Marion County requires on-site work. Remote work is not available.

Wages:

Mental Health Specialist 1: $30.14 - $40.38 hr.

Mental Health Specialist 2: $36.55 - $48.96 hr.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Mental Health Specialist 2:

Provide assessments and treatment of individuals and families, including groups; provides crisis assessment and intervention services and related duties as required. Primary responsibility of this class is to provide assessment and treatment services; crisis intervention, and treatment services, including intensive services, to individuals and their families with complex needs and diagnoses and/or to develop and implement specific services in the community.

Mental Health Specialist 1:

Plans and carries out recreational, social and skills training activities; performs case management and counseling functions with Adults in Custody (AIC); facilitates counseling and/or skills training groups; performs related duties as required. Primary responsibility of this class is case management and counseling, without responsibility for developing and implementing specific programs in the community.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Mental Health Specialist 2 and 1:

Works under the supervision of a supervisor who assigns work, establishes goals, and reviews the results obtained for overall effectiveness.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Mental Health Specialist 2 and 1:

Supervision of others is not a responsibility of positions in this classification. Crisis Clinician 2 may act as Clinical Supervisor designee when needed. May assist in the supervision of practicum students and/or volunteers

Typical Duties - Duties include, but are not limited to the following

• Provides mental health assessments and treatment, including individual, family and group counseling in a variety of Juvenile Department contexts. May include community-based sites. Mental health assessments (which may include diagnosis using the current DSM and treatment recommendations), with written reports, as required.
• Conducts suicide and self-harm risk assessments for youth in Detention and GAP (Guaranteed Attendance Program). Consults with staff regarding on-site youth specific level of care and interventions; monitors level of care, reassesses, and changes, as needed. Provides needed follow up services, including contacting parents about safety plans and treatment recommendations. Assists in connecting youth to needed community resources, as needed. Refers youth to the Psychiatric Crisis Center (PCC) or hospital emergency department for further mental health/medical assessment, if indicated; provides necessary mental health information in support of youth receiving care, including possible psychiatric hospitalization, as needed. Conducts suicide and self-harm risk assessments for other department youth, as assigned.
• Provides drug/alcohol assessments of youth, using ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) criteria, as qualified and required.
• Assesses youth's risk to harm others, within scope of expertise and as assigned.
• Facilitates pro-social skill building groups for youth, as required.
• Provides consultation to department staff about mental health issues affecting children, adolescents, and families.
• Conducts parenting classes and teaches parenting skills in a group setting, as required.
• Collaborates with department staff in providing services to youth and their families, actively participates as a member of the Counseling Services team and as a department team member. Assists in case planning related to mental health needs and makes referrals to community resources, as needed.
• Keeps accurate, complete and current records of client services at all times. Completes service delivery reports and additional reports, as required.
• Establishes and maintains positive and professional working relationships with co-workers, customers, and other agencies.
• Meets with supervisor to assess job duties and performance; participates in individual and group clinical supervision as well as team meetings and case consultation.
• Complies with department and county policies, procedures, and regulations; complies with relevant professional code of ethics (NASW, ACA, etc.) and relevant Oregon Revised Statutes.
• Annually reviews and signs the Juvenile Department's Code of Ethics.
• Maintains First Aid and CPR certification and Bloodborne training.
• Attends staff meetings as directed.
• Communicates with Juvenile Department staff, community schools, other agencies, the public, and others who may come in contact with Counseling Services.
• Provides staff development training, as requested.
• Participates in yearly mandatory training at the Juvenile Department.
• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Requirements for the Position

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Possession of a masters degree in psychology, Social Work, Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy or a behavioral science field, or possession of a bachelors degree in nursing and licensed by the State of Oregon, or possession of a bachelors degree in occupational therapy and licensed by the State of Oregon; OR second year graduate students waivered as QMHPs by the Oregon Health Authority.
• Mental Health Therapist 2 Only: In addition to the educational requirements above, the Mental Health Therapist 2 must have at least one year of full-time, post-masters degree experience in the behavioral health field.

PREFERENCES

• Experience working with adolescents, particularly those in a juvenile justice setting, for positions within the Juvenile Department.

• Post-masters degree experience.

AUTO-PROMOTE AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF CLASSIFICATION

Individuals hired as a Mental Health Specialist 1 will auto-promote, as noted in Article 4 in the Marion County personnel rules, to the classification of Mental Health Specialist 2 upon satisfactorily completing one-year, post masters degree, of service as a Mental Health Specialist 1. (One-year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be either 1) licensed by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors,2) licensed by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers or 3) credentialed or registered through the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board of Oregon (MHACBO) as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) within the first 30 days of employment. Applicants may be required to pass a practical knowledge and skills assessment as part of the interview process.
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check, including finger printing; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This is a safety sensitive/special needs position. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy can be found at:http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/policy.aspx?p=policy&pid=518.
• This assignment is represented by a union.
• This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Working knowledge of community mental health concepts or chemical dependency case management and treatment services; individual assessment, treatment planning and treatment protocols; mental health disorders and diagnostic classifications.

Ability to establish positive working relationships with other employees, individuals and their families, other agencies, and the public; prepare concise and complete clinical documentation related to individual treatment and progress in services in a timely and professional manner; work within a team and collaborate with team members; knowledge of and ability to act professionally with regard to a code of ethics and confidentiality.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; sits; stands; moves about the work area; climbs 1 floor of stairs; operates a keyboard; lifts, pushes, pulls, and carries up to 15 lbs. for up to 50 yards; rapid-mental/hand/eye coordination; speaks with a clear and audible voice; reads a 12 pt. font; hears a normal speech level; works in areas that may be exposed to heat, cold, humidity, dust, second-hand smoke, noise, blood/body fluids, or household cleaning chemicals such as bleach or cleansers; may work in areas that are uneven or wet.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS

Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Student Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your student loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Marion County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Marion County is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Applicants are eligible to use Veterans' Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235 and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE

• One of the following:

• MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR

• Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR

• Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

• In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:

• A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR

• Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Marion County is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.

Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation, through Human Resources, in any step of the process to assist them in demonstrating their qualifications to perform the duties of the position for which they are applying. Please e-mail Human Resources if you wish to request an accommodation.

Marion County offers a generous benefits package to regular employees working 50% or more of the regularly scheduled work week and their eligible dependents. Temporary employees and part-time regular employees working less than 50% of the regularly scheduled work week are not eligible for benefits.

Most regular positions in this classification are represented by Marion County Employees Association (MCEA). For a summary of benefits, click here. For a complete and detailed overview of the MCEA benefits package, click here, and select MCEA Benefits from the left menu or Marion County Employees Association (MCEA) from the page links. Regular and temporary employees are represented by MCEA.

Salary and benefits are subject to union contract negotiations and may change as a result.

01

To receive credit for your supplemental questions, your answers must be supported by details in the education and/or work experience section of your application form. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer. Do you understand this statement?

• Yes
• No

02

Please select the option that best applies to you below:

• I am licensed by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors or the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers.
• I am credentialed by the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board (MHACBO) as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).
• I have registered with MHACBO to become credentialed as a QMHP. Please list the registration date below.
• I am NOT licensed with the State nor have I registered with MHACBO to become credentialed as a QMHP.

03

If you have registered with MHACBO, please list the date of registration below. If you selected either of the other options above, please write N/A.

04

Indicate how many years of full-time post-masters degree work experience you have in the behavioral health field. (One year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours.)

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more
• None of the above

05

Please indicate the place of employment where you gained the work experience listed above. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience in your application. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer.

Required Question

Employer Marion County

Address PO BOX 14500

Salem, Oregon, 97309

Phone (503) 566-3949

Website https://www.co.marion.or.us/HR/Pages/jobs.aspx