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:
The Behavioral Health Specialist II on the Crisis Team provides phone and face-to-face crisis screenings and referrals involving a variety of situations including high-risk children and adults needing varied levels of care: hospital, residential, community based, or respite care. Clinicians may perform a variety of treatment services for both voluntary and involuntary clients including, but not limited to, comprehensive crisis assessments, case management consultation, de-escalation, and safety planning. This position works on a multi-disciplinary team, and the crisis team values team approach to client care, to include community partners. Services are provided at the Deschutes County Stabilization Center (DCSC) and in the community as a part of our Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT). Within the crisis program, the workload and acuity of work varies, and allows exposure to a vast variety of clinical work and interventions.
This is a night shift position and typical working hours include Thursday to Saturday from 7:00pm to 7:30am. Will be required to work some holidays.
Key Responsibilities:
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Apply theory in behavioral health and addictions diagnosis, and crisis intervention.
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Plan and implement safety plans, individualized to each crisis need.
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Handle crisis interventions in the community and at the stabilization center.
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Collaborate with team members.
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Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, clients and their families, other agencies and the public at all times.
What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:
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Community behavioral health and addictions concepts.
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Client assessment and case management.
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Treatment services, planning and protocols.
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Behavioral health disorders, substance use disorders and diagnostic classifications.
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Psychological, sociological and psychiatric theories.
Skill in:
- 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.$6,027.10 to $8,076.88 per month for a 173.33 hour work month.
$6,628.45 to $8,480.74 per month for a 173.33 hour work month for those possessing current licensure without restrictions from a recognized governing board in Oregon as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Plus a 10% shift differential for night shift. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.
This position may also be eligible for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) on June 22, 2026, pending budget adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.
BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $100 per month for employee only or $121 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.
- Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy or a behavioral science field;
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AND one (1) year of experience in the behavioral health 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 Professionals (QMHP) hired by Deschutes County Health Services (DCHS). This only applies to QMHPs who do not possess current licensure or are currently pursuing licensure as an LCSW, LMFT, or LPC. 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:
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Current licensure without restrictions from a recognized governing board in Oregon as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
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Previous experience providing crisis intervention.
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Previous experience with SPMI.
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Bilingual in English and Spanish communication.
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.
Must have dependable transportation and be willing and able to drive throughout the tri-county area in sometimes adverse weather conditions.
NOTE: Per OAR 407-007-0000 to 407-007-0100 (Download PDF reader) 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 (Download PDF reader) 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.
Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule, when necessary, to meet client and department needs.
BHS II, Licensed:
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Candidates must not be excluded (or Opt-out) from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).
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All clinicians providing Mental Health services must be eligible to be enrolled in Oregon Medicaid as a MH Provider within the first 30 days for hire.
