Demo

Behavioral Health Specialist I, Community Support Services

Deschutes County Human Resources
Bend, OR Full Time
POSTED ON 8/2/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/16/2026
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:
This position works as part of an experienced, recovery focused, multi-disciplinary team providing services and supports to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. Services are provided in a variety of locations including the office, community, and in client homes. You will have the opportunity to support clients by: building rapport, providing outreach, assessing functional skills and treatment needs, coordinating careproviding crisis support, offering individual and group skills training, helping to meet basic needs, and offering support for gaining/retaining entitlements.

Typical schedule is office and community based Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Key Responsibilities: 
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, clients and their families, other agencies, and the public.
  • Support clients in connecting to community and agency resources.
  • Tracking and following through with multiple complex details and client care needs. 
What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:
  • Ability to inspire hope in clients.
  • Excellent time management skills and adaptability in a fast-paced work environment.
  • General concepts of mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment and community resources.
Skill in:
  • Well-developed human relations, communication, and writing skills.
  • Timely preparation of reports and documentation of client services.
  • Holding compassionate boundaries and ethical care.
*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.$5,657.33 to $7,581.35 per month for a 172.67 hour work month. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.

Attention all candidates: please make sure your application includes all job history, education, training, certifications, licenses, and other relevant experience, as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range in accordance with Oregon Pay Equity. Resumes will not be reviewed.


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.


  • 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 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 individuals facing behavioral health challenges, providing case management services and/or skills training.
  • Knowledge of resources and benefits for individuals living under poverty guidelines.
  • Experience working with individuals diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) populations.
  • Background in substance abuse treatment or CADC I/II.
  • Bilingual in Spanish and English language.
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.

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

Salary : $5,657 - $7,581

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