Initial Posting Date:
07/21/2026
Application Deadline:
08/04/2026
Agency:
Department of Corrections
Salary Range:
$7,541 - $9,986
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Behavior Health Specialist 2, Qualified Mental Health Professional (Salem)
Job Description:
Behavior Health Specialist 2, Qualified Mental Health Professional (Salem)
Oregon State Penitentiary – Salem, Oregon
Oregon Department of Corrections
The Oregon Department of Corrections is looking for a Qualified Mental Health Professional in our Special Housing Behavioral Health Services. This exciting employment opportunity exists within the Oregon State Penitentiary located in Oregon, Oregon. The Behavioral Health Services has a multidisciplinary team that works hard to bring innovative and creative experiences to the clients in their care, and to provide compassionate and individualized treatment.
About the Job – Your Role
This position identifies, according to specific criteria, all mentally ill and developmentally disabled (DD) AICs within the institution, coordinates regular contact with AICs to conduct mental status examinations, conducts suicide assessments, develops treatment interventions, behavior plans and risk management plans, and provides crisis services.
The position is responsible for:
These positions:
Perform work inside an adult prison
Have contact with adults in custody during treatment/consultation, at times out of visual range of security staff
Are exposed to adults in custody that may become physically and/or verbally abusive
Require vigilance and awareness.
What’s in it for you?
DOC employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic employee life coverage through the Public Employees' Benefit Board (PEBB) and retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Paid vacation leave and sick leave are accrued monthly and wage increases are awarded in accordance with the applicable labor contract.
Additional applicable incentives:
This position is represented by Association of Oregon Corrections Employees, (AOCE). This position may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute.
Minimum Qualifications
A graduate degree in psychology, social work, recreational therapy, art therapy, music therapy, or behavioral health science; OR
Possession of a current Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification; OR
A bachelor’s degree in nursing AND licensed by the State of Oregon; OR
A bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy AND licensed by the State of Oregon; OR
A qualified Mental Health Intern, as defined in 309-019-0105(61).
Note: Some positions may require qualification as a QMHP (Qualified Mental Health Professional).
The equivalent of one year of full-time experience (1,920 hours), which may include applicable internships, of the experience which demonstrates the competencies noted in the Qualifications and Required Skills sections.
Requested Skills
Special Qualifications
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you are a Qualified Mental Health Professional at the time of hire.
NOTE: To be qualified as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (OAR 309-032-0450(26)) you must have:
a Graduate degree in psychology; OR
a Bachelor's degree in nursing and be licensed by the State of Oregon; OR
a Graduate degree in social work; OR
a Graduate degree in a behavioral science field; OR
a Graduate degree in recreation, art, or music therapy; OR
a Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and be licensed by the State of Oregon; AND HAVE
education and experience which demonstrates the competencies to identify precipitating events; gather histories of mental and physical disabilities, alcohol and drug use, past mental health services and criminal justice contacts; assess family, social and work relationships; conduct a mental status examination; document a multi axial DSM diagnosis; write and supervise a treatment plan, conduct a comprehensive mental health assessment; and provide individual, family, and/or group therapy within the scope of their training.
Application Information
In the Work Experience section of your application make sure to include the dates and duties of all relevant positions and details to support how you meet these attributes. If you do not include education or work experience meeting the minimum qualifications, you will not be considered for the position. Only the candidates whose experience most closely matches the qualifications and requested skills of this position will be invited to interview. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the job posting close date.
The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. You may be asked to submit a skills assessment, a writing sample, or other assessment as part of the application screening process.
Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.
Working Conditions
This full-time position is in Salem at the Oregon State Penitentiary. You will work in close contact with adults in custody in the institution setting and may be exposed to hostile situations or incidents. May be exposed to chemicals, radiation, communicable disease, or other hazards inherent in a health care facility and correctional setting. You will perform work inside a 24/7 facility, shifts may vary to include early shifts, late shifts, and weekends. You will have contact with adults in custody during treatment/consultation, at times out of visual range of security staff. You will be exposed to adults in custody that may become physically and/or verbally abusive and requires vigilance and awareness.
About the Department
The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for over 12,000 adults in custody in 12 state prisons throughout Oregon. It advises and evaluates counties regarding administration of probation and parole programs supervising more than 24,000 offenders in Oregon communities. The mission is to protect communities, promote accountability, and transform lives.
The Oregon Department of Corrections serves a diverse and changing population of people who are incarcerated and on supervision. We commit to creating an organization both reflecting the diversity of the population we serve and ensuring all employees thrive in a culture of safety, trust, and belonging. We strive to be an anti-racist corrections system. Welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all people. Free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
The Department offers a variety of programs and opportunity to create a safe and healthy environment to for our staff, volunteers, and adults in custody. Joining the Oregon Department of Corrections is joining a team working for the benefit of our communities through innovative and proven correctional practices.
Benefits
The salary range listed above is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range to reflect an additional 6.95%.
The State of Oregon provides a generous benefit package, which includes:
Family health, vision, and dental insurance
Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
21 days paid military leave for national guard and reserve components
Optional short and long-term disability
Term life insurance
Fully paid retirement program
Oregon Saving Growth Plan
Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare
And more
About the Process – What to Expect
After the application deadline, a recruiter will review submissions for education and experience to identify candidates who best fit the minimum qualifications and requested skills.
Top candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
The hiring manager will review your application and schedule interviews.
Interview will be held with a panel of stakeholders who have completed panel assessment training. Scores will be determined based on predetermined questions and scoring guides. Preferences points will be applied in compliance with relevant laws and bargaining agreements. There may be multiple rounds of interviews.
Final candidates will have a background check, PREA check, and reference checks.
A Classification and Compensation analyst will review the Workday Application of the successful candidate to determine starting wages. Learn more about Equal Pay.
A job offer will be extended through Workday to the successful candidate. Congratulations, and welcome to the team!
Requirements for Employment
The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant. CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer. If you have questions about whether or not your criminal record could disqualify for you, please contact the recruiter for more information.
Additional Information – Please monitor your Workday and email accounts. You may be contacted through Workday or have additional tasks to complete.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDI&B) is embedded in the Department of Corrections core values. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Ensuring legal compliance, efficiency, and exceeding expectations to deliver the best public services.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. Additional information can be found from The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Know Your Rights.
The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for complying with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA 42 U.S.C. 1997). PREA prohibits the Oregon Department of Corrections from hiring, promoting, or contracting with anyone, (that will have direct contact with residents), who has engaged in, been convicted of, or been civilly or administratively adjudicated for engaging in sexual abuse in confinement settings. Learn more about PREA.
Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. Please note – if you are a veteran, you will receive a task in Workday to upload your documents immediately after you submit your initial application. You will have up until 24 hours after the posted application deadline to submit the appropriate documentation.
The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
Questions
If you have questions about the position, selection process, or need accommodations to participate in the recruitment process please contact the recruiter and reference the requisition number.
Recruiter: Kelli Ketchum, [email protected]
Reference Number: Req-203818
Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. You may lose progress on your application.
Workday performs weekly maintenance Friday evenings, and the system may be down for several hours.
ODOC does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States.
This applicant list may be used to fill future vacancies. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.
