Behavioral Health Specialist II, Juvenile Community Justice (Limited Duration)

Job Description:

Behavioral Health Specialist II, Juvenile Community Justice (Limited Duration)

Description

Summary

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The mission of the Juvenile Community Justice division is to reduce risk, repair harm and create opportunity. The juvenile division operates the following programs: Juvenile Detention, Juvenile Field Services, including: Probation, Informal Supervision, Community Service and Juvenile Behavioral Health. We adhere to evidence-based practices in all decision-making, aspire to a continuous learning and improvement culture, utilize restorative justice practices and promote structural equity for our clients, community and staff.

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:
Under general supervision, the Behavioral Health Specialist II provides professional behavioral health services, using the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model, designed to empower youth and families by creating strength-based behavior changes that will be sustained long after treatment ends. This position performs assessment, treatment protocols, case management, crisis intervention, community outreach and in-home services to youth and their families. This position also provides direct clinical treatment using the FFT treatment model and principles. Some principles include leveraging strengths and focusing on the positive, interrupting blame and negativity in family meetings, and changing focus and reframing as necessary, to name a few.

This position is located in Deschutes County and may be eligible for a hybrid of in-office/remote work as allowed by policy and approved by the supervisor. Typical work schedule includes evenings. Must have the ability to be flexible to meet the scheduling needs of families.

Key Responsibilities:

• Applies extensive therapeutic and counseling techniques to provide excellent services to youth and their families; directs the provision and development of treatment services.
• Provides weekly (or as needed) home-based family therapy sessions utilizing the FFT model, with fidelity as an evidence based practice to referred families who have adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18.
• Manages time and caseload work to successfully prioritize weekly case planning, data entry and evaluation of case progress, with ongoing support from supervisor and team members.

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• Psychological, sociological, and psychiatric theory and belief in the capacity of people to grow and change.
• Client assessment, treatment planning, and diagnostic classifications.
• Working with adolescents and families, using cultural responsivity and trauma informed practice.

Skill in:

• Effective relationship skills such as eliciting trust, warmth, being non-blaming and showing individual, familial and cultural respect, as well as cross-agency collaboration.
• Interpersonal skills, including being able to provide validation, positive interpretation and reframing as well as structuring skills and the ability to provide direction and focus during family meetings.
• Adapting and individualizing program interventions to utilize family strengths and skills, as well as cultural responsivity in working with native Spanish-speaking families and communities.

*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

$6,004.15 to $8,046.13 per month for a 172.67 hour work month.

$6,304.35 to $8,448.45 per month for a 172.67 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).

This is a limited-duration employment position as defined by Deschutes County HR Personnel Rules 2.010. The position has identified funding through June 30, 2027. Extending the position beyond June 30, 2027 will depend on a continued business need for the position and approval of additional funding. Should this occur, the County may at a later date extend the position end date or offer regular employment status to the incumbent in this position. The employment offer will be contingent on final funding confirmation.

Relocation:
The Community Justice Department will reimburse you for IRS allowable relocation expenses up to $2,500.00 with receipts. Please note, under Section 11048 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), all payments for relocation expenses will be tax reportable as supplemental wages and subject to income tax withholdings ( https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employer-update ).

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

• Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy or a behavioral science field;
• AND one 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.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Master’s degree in a relevant field with internship experience working with youths and families, and at least two years’ experience.
• Knowledge of Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model.
• Restorative Justice principles and practices.
• Bilingual in speaking and/or writing fluently in English and Spanish.

Bilingual pay: Additional monthly compensation shall be granted when the candidate has successfully passed the testing process to qualify for bilingual pay.

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.

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

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

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. 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 fees will be paid by DCJCJ, if the candidate selected for the position meets the criteria for registration/certification.

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.

BHS II, Licensed:

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).

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.

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: 1/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$6,004.15 - $8,448.45 Monthly