Behavioral Health Specialist I, Residential Specialist

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:
The Residential Specialist position is responsible for working with multi-disciplinary teams that provide services to adult clients with serious mental illness/co-occurring addiction issues who are most at risk of hospitalization, civil commitment, or incarceration. This position has the ability to positively impact clients’ lives by helping them to access the most appropriate level of residential support.

Typical schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although an adjusted work schedule and/or hybrid remote work options can be discussed (as allowed by policy and approved by the supervisor).
Key Responsibilities:

• Building and maintaining strong relationships and care coordinating with, but not limited to, DCBH colleagues, Pacific Source, the local hospital(s), OHA, and local residential providers.
• Coordinating with local Adult Foster Homes to provide ongoing training, consultation, and technical assistance related to resident care needs, behavioral health supports, and system expectations.
• Participating in multidisciplinary planning and problem-solving related to complex residential placements and individuals with exceptional or high-acuity needs.
• Facilitating, monitoring, and tracking use of residential beds including coordinating referrals and placements to best utilize local residential resources.
• Being organized, responsive, and having the ability to adapt to an ever-changing residential environment.

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• SPMI and SUD disorders.
• Behavioral health residential spectrum of care.
• Community mental health programs.

Skill in:

• Administrative and programmatic documentation, organization, and coordination.
• Working effectively in a team setting as well as independently.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing, including timely, professional, and accurate completion of documentation.
• Handling client crisis situations.
• Establishing positive working relationships with other employees, clients and their families, other agencies, and the public.
• Acting professionally with regard to a code of ethics and confidentiality.

*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

$5,186.61 to $6,950.54 per month for a 172.67 hour work month. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union represented position is available immediately.

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.

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 essential functions of 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:

• Experience working with electronic health records and systems.
• Experience working with SPMI (Severe and Persistent Mental Illness) populations.
• Experience working with criminal justice and/or law enforcement.

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.

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule when necessary, to meet client and department needs.

Computer literacy with strong typing and computer skills required.

Must have dependable transportation and be willing and able to drive throughout the tri-county area in sometimes adverse weather conditions.

Physical Requirements: Requires sufficient ambulatory ability to drive throughout Deschutes County and to provide face-to-face services in a variety of settings in the community, including but not limited to hospitals, jails, clinics, client homes, and community and residential settings within required response times; possess sufficient hand coordination to perform keyboarding and data entry; arm/hand movements to retrieve work materials and operate a variety of general office equipment. The position is frequently required to sit, walk, stoop, bend, reach, stand, grasp, talk, hear, see, and may occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive health care 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 following 1 month 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, Deschutes County 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 or click HERE for full benefits guide.

Closing Date/Time: 2/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• Deschutes County

• 541-388-6553

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