Behavioral Health Specialist 2 - QMHP
State of Oregon
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) seeks a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) for the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn. You will deliver counseling and behavioral health services to youth, collaborating with psychiatrists, PMHNPs, psychologists, and a Living Unit team to foster a safe, constructive environment.
Ideal candidates hold a nursing or OT license, or a Master’s in psychology/social work/therapy with relevant experience. Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in nursing or occupational therapy AND licensed by the State of Oregon, OR a Master’s degree in psychology, social work, recreational/art/music therapy, or behavioral health science; with two years of related experience.
Responsibilities
- Provide counseling and guidance to youth in a group living setting.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, PMHNPs, and psychologists.
- Implement evidence-based interventions and lead within the living unit.
Skills
Education
Job description
Are you passionate about delivering counseling and guidance to youth from diverse backgrounds? Join the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility team as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) and make a meaningful impact!
- Initial Posting Date: 10/28/2026
- Application Deadline:
- Agency: Oregon Youth Authority
- Salary Range: $6,581.00 - $9,191.00
- Position Type: Employee
- Position Title: Behavioral Health Specialist 2 - QMHP
The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is looking for full-time QMHPs dedicated to providing comprehensive mental and behavioral health services to youth at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including contracted psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), and psychologists, to create a supportive treatment environment within the assigned living unit.
Your mission will be to cultivate a positive and dynamic atmosphere that encourages youth to take responsibility, develop healthy habits, lead productive lives, and engage in socially acceptable behavior. Working alongside the Living Unit Manager (LUM) and Case Coordinator (CC), you will offer strong leadership and implement evidence-based interventions within a group living setting.
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity enriches our team and enhances our collective expertise.
- Multiple Positions: This recruitment will fill multiple positions that are limited duration, temporary, and permanent positions. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill multiple, current, and future vacancies.
- If the position requires bilingual proficiency, a 5% bilingual differential will be added to the final salary for employees who demonstrate fluency in speaking both English and Spanish. Bilingual proficiency testing will be conducted upon hire, as needed.
- Your application materials are used to determine your starting salary range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying. For more information on pay equity, click here.
- The salary range listed is the non-PERS participating rate. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.
- This position receives annual increases on anniversary date until the maximum of the salary range is reached.
- This position is represented by SEIU.
- Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.
The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is a national leader in the juvenile justice field, pioneering the implementation of a positive human development framework for its work with staff and youth, and using data to match the right youth with the right services. We seek to foster cultural competence and pursue equitable solutions to support youth under our care. Our agency mission is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.
OYA wants to hear from you!
People of color, women and other members of historically underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply!
For more information please visit www.oregon.gov/oya.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental plans for you and your family. Additional benefits include life insurance, short- and long-term disability, deferred compensation savings plans, and flexible spending accounts for health and childcare.
- Generous Paid Time Off: 11 holidays, 3 personal business days, monthly sick leave and vacation leave that increases with years of service.
- Retirement Benefits: Membership in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
- Wellness Resources: Support for work-life balance, health, and overall well-being.
- Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
- Commuting: Access to Get There - Oregon’s carpool matching tool and trip planner.
- Student Loan Forgiveness: Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
- Live, work, and play in Salem, Oregon.
- A Bachelor’s degree in nursing or occupational therapy AND licensed by the State of Oregon AND three years of progressively responsible experience related to the series concept; OR
- A Master’s degree in psychology; social work; recreational, art, or music therapy; or behavioral health science AND two years of progressively responsible experience related to the series concept.
- Driver's license required: Driving is an essential function of this position. A valid driver license and an acceptable driving record are required for this position. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s).
- Eligible for certification as Qualified Mental Health Professional at the time of application.
- Graduate degree in psychology; or
- Bachelor's degree in nursing and be licensed by the State of Oregon; or
- Graduate degree in social work; or
- Graduate degree in a behavioral science field; or
- Graduate degree in recreational, art, or music therapy; or
- Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and be licensed by the State of Oregon:
AND Education and experience which demonstrates the competencies to identify precipitating events; gather histories of mental and physical disabilities, alcohol and drug use, past mental health services and criminal justice contacts; assess family, social and work relationships; conduct a mental status examination; document a multiaxial DSM diagnosis; write and supervise a treatment plan, conduct comprehensive mental health assessment; and provide individual, family, and/or group therapy within the scope of practice.
If you have these qualities, let us know! It’s how we will choose whom to move forward!
Note: You do not need to have all of these qualities to be eligible for this position.
- Preference given to those candidate that are bilingual in English/Spanish.
- Preference given to those candidates that has received licensure in their discipline.
- Certificates and/or work experience related to substance use treatment.
- Certificates and/or work experience related to sexual harming behaviors.
- Strong clinical skills with adolescents and young adults, with the ability to provide clinical work independently.
- Experience providing treatment in gang affiliation, anger management, fire setting, and violent offending.
- All OYA locations are tobacco-free environments.
- Counseling and casework management is performed in a group living milieu. This may involve the treatment of emotionally unstable clientele and the danger of physical assault is present.
- Daily face to face contact with adjudicated youth and youth from the Department of Corrections who may exhibit hostile, aggressive or assaultive behavior. This position is expected to enforce rules and to restrain youth during crisis situations.
- May be subject to a hostage situation.
- Employees are subject to recall during facility emergencies.
- May deal with angry and hostile family members and visitors.
- Weekend, holiday, or evening work may be required.
- Stand-by, or on-call duty may be required.
- Travel to other OYA locations or to trainings throughout the state may be required.
- There is potential exposure to communicable diseases. The consistent and effective use of appropriate infection-control materials and techniques is required.
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Oregon Job Opportunities Webpage | Classification and Compensation | Pay Equity
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we are here to serve. OYA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be individualized based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.” The more diverse we are, the better our work will be.
Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation or for alternative format please contact OYA Recruitment at 971-345-1236. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.
In keeping with our mission, OYA will conduct a criminal record check, per OAR 416 Division 800, a driving record background check and a vulnerable population abuse and neglect check. Information obtained about an individual is confidential. An individual who refuses to consent to a criminal records/background check shall be disqualified from consideration in the position for which you applied. All applicants are subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as fingerprint based on criminal records check, pre-employment drug screening, education verification, and/or board certification and/or professional licensing status check as required for the position.
In 2003 Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the first federal civil statute focused specifically on addressing sexual violence in juvenile facilities, jails, prisons, and other facilities. In recognition of the rights, safety, and well-being of the youth we serve you will be asked specific questions about your background to ensure our hiring and promotion practices comply with the National PREA standards.
All positions in OYA will require the incumbent to serve as a “mandatory reporter” of child abuse.
We do not offer Visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. OYA uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.
For questions about the job announcement, email the HR Recruiter at OYAJobs@oya.oregon.gov.
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