Behavioral Health Specialist I, Veteran's Services (Limited Duration)
Deschutes County Bend, Oregon, United States
- Location: Bend, Oregon, United States
- Categories: Other, Public Health, Veteran Services
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Feb 26, 2026
Job Description:
Behavioral Health Specialist I, Veteran's Services (Limited Duration)
Description
SummaryABOUT 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:
Deschutes County is accepting applications for a Behavioral Health Specialist I - Veteran Services , Outpatient Case Manager for the Adult Outpatient Team in Bend, OR. This team focuses on providing services to adults who have mental health and co-occurring substance use conditions. This position will focus on providing outpatient services to underserved veterans and their families in our community with identified mental health and/or substance use disorders. This position provides highly individualized services including outreach, system navigation, coordination, cultivating and linking to supports, resource acquisition, coaching, problem solving, skill practice, education, and advocacy. They also helps individuals with health/medical related needs such as attending medical appointments, linking to the medical community and enhancing health practices. The incumbent will have direct experience with military and veteran culture, and provide support, advocacy, and collaboration for individuals and their families with multiple needs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Developing and maintaining strong referral relationships with veteran-focused community partner organizations.
- Assessing needs and performing care coordination.
- Providing case management and supportive services throughout the Central Oregon area, w ithin community settings or at clients' homes.
- Participating in team meetings and case consultations where strengths and needs are identified and safety planning occurs.
- Assisting/supporting behavioral health professionals.
- Providing for continuity of care.
- Coordination and consultation with medical clinics and insurance companies.
- Assisting in navigation of veteran benefits and programs.
Knowledge of or experience with:
- Balancing a schedule which often requires working with several challenging situations at once.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clients or veterans in the community , their family members, co-workers, providers and other agencies.
- Personal experience with military culture.
Skill in:
- Effectively prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
- Working effectively in a team setting as well as independently.
- Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
*This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and functions.
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.
Additional information regarding the position may be found 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 healthcare package covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $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.
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.
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 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 :
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Experience with military and veteran culture, ideally as a veteran or family member of a veteran.
- CADC credentialing.
- Experience working with individuals with a variety of mental health disorders and/or addiction issues.
- Experience providing case management and procuring services and benefits from a variety of community programs.
- Experience working with electronic health records and systems.
- Experience working with medical issues or in a medical setting.
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 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.
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.
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. Must have the ability to work in an office that is environmentally controlled; 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; and an ability to sit, walk, stoop, bend, kneel, reach, stand, grasp, talk, hear, see, and lift up to 10 pounds on an occasional basis.
Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents. 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.
When Are you Eligible:
If you are hired on the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first of that month (immediate benefits, either that day or back to the first of the month if the first is on a Saturday or Sunday). If you are hired after the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first day of the following month.
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
- 125 Flexible Spending Program
- 457 Deferred Compensation Program
- Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance
Closing Date/Time: 3/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific