Mental Health Associate

Maricopa County; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 34,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Work-life balance

Growth opportunities

Healthcare for you and family

Job summary

Maricopa County is seeking a behavioral health professional to support individuals incarcerated at the County Jail. You will work with a dedicated team of mental health professionals to assess needs, triage emergencies, and analyze data to guide treatment interventions.

The role emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration, with opportunities to collaborate with the Sheriff's Office and community providers. Requirements include at least one year of full-time behavioral health experience and a

Qualifications

• One year of full-time behavioral health work experience.
• Bachelor's degree in behavioral health, social services, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Responds to Health Needs Requests (HNRs) by assessing mental health needs and prioritizing follow-up.
• Monitors changes in mental health status of patients in segregated areas and conducts rounds.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources and develops re-entry plans upon release from jail.
• Completes biopsychosocial and suicide risk assessments under supervision.
• Coordinates mental health care with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).
• Maintains HIPAA confidentiality.

Skills

Behavioral health experience

Bilingual in Spanish/English

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral health, social services, or related field

Master of Social Work (MSW) / LMSW / LAC / LAMFT / LBSW (valued)

Job description

Posting Date

08/19/26

Application Deadline

08/21/26

Pay Range

$25.25 - $42.25 hourly

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for all hours worked over 40 in the designated workweek.

Job Type

Unclassified

Department

Correctional Health

About the Position

Make a meaningful impact on both the criminal justice system and the community by supporting individuals incarcerated in the Maricopa County Jail. Help promote rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society! In this role, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated team of mental health professionals within a nationally recognized, accredited organization. You'll tackle complex situations, manage emergencies, and analyze critical data to prioritize effective treatment interventions.

About Us

It's time for you to utilize and perfect your talents.

Correctional Health Services is an industry-leading healthcare organization for the incarcerated population, providing 24/7 medical, dental, mental health, psychiatric care, and substance abuse treatment (i.e., Medication-Assisted Treatment and Opioid Treatment Program). Our department's culture promotes collaboration, continuous training, and flexibility. We challenge our team to spearhead initiatives, break down barriers, and advance their expertise.

Proud to Offer

• Work with a greater purpose

• Tuition reimbursement

• Exceptional work-life balance

• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County

• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents

• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families

• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave

• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive

• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

• Want to learn more about the County's Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more! Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We Require

• One year of full-time behavioral health work experience

• Bachelor's degree in behavioral health, social services, or a related field

We Also Value

• Master of social work, counseling, or related field; LMSW, LAC, LAMFT, or LBSW

• Bilingual in Spanish/English

• Experience with triaging internal and external referrals

• Experience with coordinating the completion of Mental Health Petitions with community providers and testifying in court

Job Contributions

• Responds to Health Needs Requests (HNRs) by conducting a face-to-face encounter with patients to assess their mental health needs, triage these requests, and prioritize the urgency of subsequent follow-up appointments

• Monitors any changes in the mental health status of patients housed in segregated areas by conducting regular rounds

• Maintains a working knowledge of community resources and develops re-entry plans to support patients when released from jail

• Completes special needs treatment plans (SNTP)

• Evaluates patients for substance use disorders using brief screening tools, such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Drug Screening Questionnaire (DAST)

• Requests mental health treatment records from outside agencies and organizations

• Responds to grievances submitted by patients

• Creates psychoeducational packets containing information about mental health, puzzles, a calendar, and informative news articles, etc

• Completes biopsychosocial and suicide risk assessments under the supervision of an independently licensed mental health professional

• Completes routine clinical documentation, such as consent forms for treatment, treatment refusal forms, and notes completed for non-face-to-face interactions

• Works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team members regarding patient care

• Coordinates and documents mental health care with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO)

• Maintains HIPAA patient confidentiality in the management of information

Working Conditions

• Must successfully complete a thorough background check

• Travel or floating to various clinical locations is required within a 5-mile radius

• Must be able to respond to emergencies

• Must maintain CPR certification and get on the floor to perform CPR/chest compressions, push medical equipment, climb stairs, and lift patients on a gurney

• Must be able to work inside a jail and stand/walk/bend for extended periods of time throughout the shift

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint/security clearance process and maintain MCSO jail access

• This position requires accurately handling a high volume of work, communicating with a culturally diverse patient population, and adapting to frequent changes, interruptions, and unscheduled tasks

• Position includes day or night shift work, which may include weekends and holidays

Selection Procedure

• Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications

• Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile

• Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.