Manual Arts Instructor-Benchwork-Oregon State Hospital

Oregon Health Authority; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 46,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Paid time off

PERS retirement

Training opportunities

Job summary

The Oregon State Hospital in Salem is seeking a Manual Arts Instructor for the Benchwork program within our Vocational Services. This full-time, onsite role supports patients in forensics to address vocational needs through benchwork, packaging, and kit-building activities, with work that enhances readiness for employment and community reintegration.

Workdays are Monday to Friday, 7:00-3:30, within a union-represented position.

Qualifications

• Six months experience in each of at least three of the following:
• applying the theories, methods, and practices, common in a landscaping environment.
• applying work adjustments to training techniques.
• applying instruction principles and procedures.
• using tools and equipment common to assembly and benchwork.
• directing individuals and groups in a work setting.
• communication (both verbal and written) with a diverse variety of people.

Responsibilities

• Assemble parts for consumer use.
• Heat packaging.
• Kit building.
• Packaging screw packs for auto kits.

Skills

Landscaping

Instruction

Communication

Work adjustments

Directing groups

Benchwork

Tools

Benchwork tools

Job description

Position Title

Manual Arts Instructor-Benchwork-Oregon State Hospital

Initial Posting Date

09/16/2026

Application Deadline

10/06/2026

Agency

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range

$4,124 - $5,193

Position Type

Employee

Job Description

If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all.

The Oregon State Hospital (Salem campus) is seeking a Manual Arts Instructor for our Benchwork area within our Vocational Services Program. This position provides support to vocational services, for patients in the forensics program to ensure a range of services are available to address vocational needs from work readiness, skills and pre-vocational activities to sheltered work opportunities, work hardening, job search and support activities leading to competitive employment. This position provides vocational training in landscaping duties for the Vocational and Educational Services Department.

Do you have experience in assembly, packaging, or kit building for product use? Do you enjoy providing on-the-job training and want to help patient workers build vocational skills that will support their employment success as they transition back into the community? If so, this Manual Arts Instructor job may be for you! One of our skills building programs within the vocational department is specifically focused on teach skills within a benchwork environment, where patients will perform the building of kits for automotive, camping, and retail use; lift kits, packaging of tarps, auto kits, heat packaging of items, etc.

• This is a full-time position, represented by a Union (SEIU); all work is performed onsite @ 2600 Center St. NE, Salem, Oregon. Monday – Friday, Day Shift, 7:00-3:30.

Persons served at the hospital include culturally diverse patients who experience severe mental health challenges, behavioral emergencies, and patients who can be a danger to themselves or others. Hospital staff are provided crisis de-escalation and safety training upon hire and annually thereafter.

What will you do as a Manual Arts Instructor in our Benchwork program?

This position provides support to the Vocational Services Department, for patients in the forensics programs to ensure a range of services are available to address vocational needs. In this role, the Manual Arts Instructor will perform benchwork with clients (patients) that are assigned by an Occupational Therapist, teaching specific tasks related to benchwork skills building.

• Assembling parts for consumer use
• Heat packaging
• Kit building
• Packaging screw packs for auto kits

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications

These qualifications must be reflected in your application for consideration.

Six months experience in each of at least three of the following:

• applying the theories, methods, and practices, common in a landscaping environment.
• applying work adjustments to training techniques.
• applying instruction principles and procedures.
• using tools and equipment common to assembly and benchwork.
• directing individuals and groups in a work setting.
• communication (both verbal and written) with a diverse variety of people.

Desired Attributes

• Experience in creating and maintaining a work environment that is respectful and accepting of diversity among team members in a work environment.
• Passion for (and experience in) helping people with severe mental health challenges.
• Experience creating an encouraging work environment.
• Experience creating organized, detail-oriented work instruction.
• Experience in verbal de-escalation when working with others.
• Experience working in a high security, locked facility environment.
• A highly developed level situational awareness in landscaping settings to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of patients, staff, and visitors.

Reminders

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. To protect your information and ensure correct processing, please follow the instructions for submitting your Veterans’ Preference documentation.
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline.

About The Team & Benefits Of Joining

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with fulfillment and promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication to patient stabilization, and work readiness. You will collaborate with a team of professionals throughout the vocational and educational services program to ensure work readiness for all clients (patients) in the program.

Benefits

We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• This announcement is for 1, full time, permanent, SEIU represented, Manual Arts Instructor position SR 17 based in Salem, Oregon.
• This is an on-site position. “Review Section 4: Working Conditions” in the position description (linked above) for more information.
• Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check and a driving records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. For more information, see the Classification and Compensation page.
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.
• This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to verify work authorization. If your employment eligibility depends on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet the requirements for this position.
• We evaluate candidates based on their own skills and experience. Unless explicitly approved, outside resources – including Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools – are not permitted during assessments or interviews. Use of unauthorized resources will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

Contact Information

Recruiter: Melissa Perez

Email: [e-mail]

Phone (text friendly): 503-949-3078

Accommodation Requests (ADA): OHA provides reasonable accommodations under the ADA, which may include alternative formats of materials or language support. If you need an accommodation to apply for this position or participate in the selection process, please contact the recruiter listed above.

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on protected class including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation and does not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.

OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.