Behavioral Health Specialist I, Crisis Team - Weekday Day Shift

Job Description:

Behavioral Health Specialist I, Crisis Team - Weekday Day Shift

Description

Summary

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
Deschutes County Health Services supports over 400 staff in Behavioral and Public Health programs working to promote and protect the health and safety of the community in a broad variety of community based settings.

Deschutes County Behavioral Health (DCBH) is the Community Mental Health Program providing safety net and core clinical services for community members in Deschutes County dealing with mental health and substance use conditions. DCBH is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). As such, DCBH relies on multi-disciplinary teams to provide innovative, evidence based, recovery oriented services in behavioral healthcare settings co-located with physical health providers.

To hear from staff about working at Deschutes County Behavioral Health, please click HERE.

ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.
Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.
ABOUT THE JOB:
Being part of the Deschutes County Behavioral Health Crisis Team is an excellent opportunity for those with ex p erience in the helping professions who enjoy a dynamic work experience and the opportunity to think outside the box for ways to support and help our clients. The crisis program supports both Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT) providing crisis support to individuals and families in the community, and the Deschutes County Stabilization Center (DCSC) which provides 24/7 voluntary crisis walk in support.

This position works as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing services and supports to individuals experiencing a mental health crisi s. This position will provide case management and crisis intervention services for individuals including high-risk children and adults needing hospital, residential, or respite care presenting to the Deschutes County Stabilization Center, and will also respond to crisis calls in the community (directly from dispatch, 988, and community partners) as part of the Community Crisis Response Team. The case management services include conducting outreach and welfare checks, assisting clients in accessing resources in the community, and supporting clients in carrying out plans for follow up care. This position provides phone and face-to-face crisis screenings and referrals, and crisis interventions in consultation with a Qualified Mental Health Professional.

This position is for the week day shift from 7:00 am - 5:30pm, Tuesday-Friday . This position will require occasional work on holidays.

This position works throughout Deschutes County.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing crisis interventions and services to individuals and families in our community.
• Providing mental health and case management care to individuals admitted to respite unit.
• Coordinating care with community partners for those we serve in crisis services.
• Coordinating within crisis team to provide seamless care at a 24-hour facility.
• Responding with QMHP to community based calls.

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• General concepts of mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment and community resources.
• Well-developed human relations, interviewing, and writing skills.
• General concepts of crisis/risk assessments.

Skill in:

• Illustrating good time management skills and adaptability.
• Maintaining composure under stress and pressure.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, clients and their families, other agencies, and the public at all times.
• Working effectively in a team setting as well as independently.
• Preparing reports and documenting client services in a timely and professional manner.
• Demonstrating professional and ethical behavior.

*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.

Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.

Review the full job description by clicking HERE.

Compensation

$5,206.43 to $6,977.10 per month for a 173.33-hour work month. Excellent pro-rated County benefits package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.

BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral sciences field;
• OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the job.

There are registration/certification requirements under the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board of Oregon (MHACBO) that apply to Qualified Mental Health Associates (QMHA) hired by Deschutes County Health Services (DCHS). Please see website for information on these requirements: https://mhacbo.org/en/ .

There is no need to take action at this point. More information will be provided to candidates who progress to the final stage of the interview process. Registration and/or certification must be received within 14 days of hire date. Fees will be paid by DCHS if the candidate selected for the position meets the criteria for registration/certification.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Previous work with individuals with behavioral health issues providing case management and/or skills training.
• Knowledge of crisis and emergency resources.
• Electronic medical record and clinical documentation experience.
• Substance abuse training, experience, and/or certification.
• Experience working with people with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) populations.
• Previous experience working in medical settings/ medical knowledge.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.

NOTE: Per OAR 407-007-0000 to 407-007-0100 this position requires a Criminal Background check through the State Background Check Unit/Orchards, which may also include being fingerprinted. These rules provide for the reasonable screening under ORS 181A.195, 181A.200, 409.027 AND 413.036 of the County’s employees to determine if they have a history of specific criminal behavior identified in federal or state law or rules such that they should not be allowed to work, be employed, or perform in positions covered by these rules. Please click HERE to review Criminal Records Check Rules. All offers of employment for this position are contingent upon the candidate receiving final approval from the State Background Check Unit/Orchards to work in this position.

This position requires possession of or the ability to obtain a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certification within 90 days of hire date. Must be approved by the designated Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based national and state criminal background check for access to Criminal Justice Information (CJI). Must complete the appropriate level of CJIS Security Awareness Training. For additional information regarding this clearance, please click HERE .
Must be willing to work a flexible schedule when necessary, to meet client and department needs.

Must have dependable transportation and be able and willing to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes Countyoffers eligible employeesa comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents. Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following1month of employment. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, DeschutesCounty provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

Employer paid benefit offerings include:

• Life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
• Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visit www.deschutes.org/hr and click on Employee Benefits.

Closing Date/Time: 10/22/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$5,206.43 - $6,977.10 Monthly