Mental Health Specialist 1 or 2 - ACT Team
Mental Health Department (Classification 772)
SEIU Represented Full-Time position (37.5 hours/week)
A person employed in this classification must possess the capability to perform the following duties to be considered for and remain in this position. The duties are essential functions requiring the critical skills and expertise needed to meet job objectives. Additional specific details of these essential functions may be provided by the specific office or department job announcement, if applicable.
1. Perform client evaluations and record them in the client's chart.
2. Develop individual treatment or habilitation plans.
3. Provide leadership and represent the department at interagency habilitation staff meetings.
4. Provide education, technical assistance and consultation to other service providers, community groups such as community coalitions, schools and local task forces.
5. Provide information to prospective clients and the general public about the services available through this department and by other community agencies.
6. Provide client services and complete documentation of the services provided in accordance with department policies and Oregon Administrative Rules.7. Develop and coordinate prevention activities among State, County, school and private agencies.
8. Provide individual, group and family therapy.
9. Provide after-hours emergency crisis intervention services to individuals and consultation and support to other community agencies.
10. Provide pre-commitment investigations of persons alleged to be mentally ill and recommend to the court whether a civil commitment hearing is warranted.
11. Perform court ordered commitment examinations, when properly certified by the State Mental Health and Developmental Disability Services Division.
12. Provide a broad clinical array of services to a wide variety of clients with no on-site supervision.
13. Develop and maintain effective, harmonious and reasonable work relationships with others.
14.Maintain regular and predictable work attendance.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY: Knowledge of the principles and practices of community-based mental health, chemical dependency or developmental disability services. Advanced knowledge of prevention strategies or treatment modalities, counseling strategies and habilitation planning. Considerable knowledge of the functions of other health, social service and education agencies. Ability to learn and comply with the Oregon Revised Statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, department policies and other regulations that apply to the program area to which assigned.
Professional level skills in performing client evaluations, counseling and case management services or prevention strategies. Ability to conduct thorough client interviews and evaluations and to correctly interpret and effectively communicate the information. Demonstrated ability to exercise sound clinical judgement in appraising complex situations plus the ability to develop comprehensive individualized treatment or habilitation plans. Ability to develop supportive relationships with assigned clients. Ability to write clear and concise reports and client evaluations. Generally, employees in this classification are provided less clinical supervision, are expected to perform with a greater degree of independence and may be assigned regular clinical consultation to other Mental Health Specialists. In addition, these employees are expected to demonstrate increased initiative, greater productivity and more developed leadership abilities. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors and professionals in related disciplines.
Mental Health Specialist 1:
Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related field is required. Practicum or supervised practicum-level experience in providing similar services to persons with similar problems or concerns is desirable but not required. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience, education and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the work described may be acceptable.
Mental Health Specialist 2:
Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related field is required. Two years post master’s degree supervised experience in a similar position. Classification as a Mental Health Specialist 2, in addition to the requirements listed above requires Oregon licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Must be able to pass a criminal history check and not be on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) disqualified list. Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license and an acceptable driving record that meets the county's requirements.
This is a non-supervisory position. Lead work and coordination of work of others is not a typical function assigned to this position. Incumbents in this position may provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel.
VISA Sponsorship
Linn County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.
Mental Health Department (Classification 772)
SEIU Represented Full-Time position (37.5 hours/week)
This position is open until filled.
First review of applications will be on October 2, 2026. Any applications received after October 2 will be reviewed and considered as needed, and this posting may close at any time after that date.
Linn County requires on-site work. Remote work is not available.
A person employed in this classification must possess the capability to perform the following duties to be considered for and remain in this position. The duties are essential functions requiring the critical skills and expertise needed to meet job objectives. Additional specific details of these essential functions may be provided by the specific office or department job announcement, if applicable.
1. Perform client evaluations and record them in the client's chart.
2. Develop individual treatment or habilitation plans.
3. Provide leadership and represent the department at interagency habilitation staff meetings.
4. Provide education, technical assistance and consultation to other service providers, community groups such as community coalitions, schools and local task forces.
5. Provide information to prospective clients and the general public about the services available through this department and by other community agencies.
6. Provide client services and complete documentation of the services provided in accordance with department policies and Oregon Administrative Rules.7. Develop and coordinate prevention activities among State, County, school and private agencies.
8. Provide individual, group and family therapy.
9. Provide after-hours emergency crisis intervention services to individuals and consultation and support to other community agencies.
10. Provide pre-commitment investigations of persons alleged to be mentally ill and recommend to the court whether a civil commitment hearing is warranted.
11. Perform court ordered commitment examinations, when properly certified by the State Mental Health and Developmental Disability Services Division.
12. Provide a broad clinical array of services to a wide variety of clients with no on-site supervision.
13. Develop and maintain effective, harmonious and reasonable work relationships with others.
14.Maintain regular and predictable work attendance.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY: Knowledge of the principles and practices of community-based mental health, chemical dependency or developmental disability services. Advanced knowledge of prevention strategies or treatment modalities, counseling strategies and habilitation planning. Considerable knowledge of the functions of other health, social service and education agencies. Ability to learn and comply with the Oregon Revised Statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, department policies and other regulations that apply to the program area to which assigned.
Professional level skills in performing client evaluations, counseling and case management services or prevention strategies. Ability to conduct thorough client interviews and evaluations and to correctly interpret and effectively communicate the information. Demonstrated ability to exercise sound clinical judgement in appraising complex situations plus the ability to develop comprehensive individualized treatment or habilitation plans. Ability to develop supportive relationships with assigned clients. Ability to write clear and concise reports and client evaluations. Generally, employees in this classification are provided less clinical supervision, are expected to perform with a greater degree of independence and may be assigned regular clinical consultation to other Mental Health Specialists. In addition, these employees are expected to demonstrate increased initiative, greater productivity and more developed leadership abilities. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors and professionals in related disciplines.
Mental Health Specialist 1:
Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related field is required. Practicum or supervised practicum-level experience in providing similar services to persons with similar problems or concerns is desirable but not required. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience, education and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the work described may be acceptable.
Mental Health Specialist 2:
Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related field is required. Two years post master’s degree supervised experience in a similar position. Classification as a Mental Health Specialist 2, in addition to the requirements listed above requires Oregon licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Must be able to pass a criminal history check and not be on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) disqualified list. Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license and an acceptable driving record that meets the county's requirements.
This is a non-supervisory position. Lead work and coordination of work of others is not a typical function assigned to this position. Incumbents in this position may provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel.
VISA Sponsorship
Linn County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.
Listed under Healthcare & Nursing jobs.