Mental Health Security Technician | Salem

Oregon Health Authority; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, vision, and dental

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

PERS/OPSRP retirement

11 paid holidays

Vacation accrual

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

The Oregon Health Authority – Oregon State Hospital Security program in Salem is seeking a Mental Health Security Technician. You will monitor access points, conduct video surveillance, and patrol facilities to prevent security breaches.

You will also respond to emergencies, assist with patient movement, and document incidents clearly. This role requires a background in security or mental health care, with de-escalation skills and strong communication.

Qualifications

• One year of security services experience or direct care to patients in a mental health setting.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control access points and conduct video surveillance monitoring.
• Perform interior and exterior patrols to detect security breaches and unauthorized individuals.
• Respond to emergencies and manage patient conduct; assist with de-escalation and restraint when necessary.
• Develop and implement security protocols; stay informed on laws/regulations for mental health security.
• Transport patients for in-house or off-campus appointments, using restraints if required.
• Prepare clear incident reports and other communications detailing significant events.
• Provide customer service and support to patients, staff, and visitors.
• Assist with admissions, process mail, coordinate with Oregon State Police when needed, distribute badges and keys, and gather evidence for investigations.

Skills

Security experience

Mental health care

De-escalation

Crisis response

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Incident reporting

Observation skills

Job description

Position Title: Mental Health Security Technician | Salem

Initial Posting Date: 08/05/2026

Application Deadline: 09/07/2026

Agency: Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range: $4,512-$5,691

Position Type: Employee

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon State Hospital (OSH), Security program in Salem, Oregon has multiple career opportunities for a Mental Health Security Technician. As a Mental Health Security Technician, you will monitor and control access points, assessing physical security, conducting video surveillance monitoring, performing interior and exterior patrols to monitor for security breaches and unauthorized individuals on property. This position is also responsible for Emergency response, responding to emergencies, calling for assistance, and managing patient conduct; Behavior management: Monitoring patients' status, providing physical intervention assistance, and restraining combative or violent patients; Security protocols: Developing and implementing security protocols and maintaining knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to mental health security; Patient movement: Providing transportation for patients for inhouse as well as off campus outings and appointments, using restraints when necessary; Incident reports: Preparing clear and concise incident reports and other documents used to communicate details of all significant events; Customer service: Providing customer service and support to all patients, staff, and visitors; Other support: Assist with patient admissions, process mail, contacting Oregon State Police as needed, distribute badges and keys, and collect and process evidence for ongoing investigations.

The Oregon State Hospital provides patient-centered, psychiatric treatment for adults from throughout the state who need hospital-level care. Our primary goal is to help people recover from their illness and return to the community. Our services include psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as community outreach and peer support. Watch “Welcome to the Oregon State Hospital” video here.

Working Conditions - This position provides care to patients who may present a danger to themselves or others. Work may involve exposure to infectious disease, noise, bodily fluids, hazardous medications, behavioral interventions, and manual or mechanical restraints. Employees must be able to frequently move up to 20 pounds, occasionally move up to 60 pounds vertically, and perform prolonged standing, bending, twisting, and squatting. Schedules may change with little notice and may include overtime or double shifts. Occasional driving or accompanying patients in vehicles may also be required.

For a full review of the position description, please click here.

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications: One year of experience providing security services; OR One year of experience providing direct care to patients in a mental health setting

Desired Attributes

• Mental Health or Hospital Experience – Understanding of mental health conditions, trauma informed care.
• Security or Law Enforcement Experience – relevant experience in security, law enforcement, or corrections.
• Security Camera / Alarm Monitoring Experience
• De-escalation skills – Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and use non-violent interventions.
• Leadership Skills – Motivation skills, ethical behavior, discretion, and sound decision making.
• Team Collaboration – Works well with clinical staff, hospital leadership, and peers.
• Crisis Response – Ability to respond calmly and effectively in high stress situations.
• Written and Verbal Communication Skills – Clarity, empathy, and professionalism in verbal and written communication.

Special Requirements

To be hired, you must have a criminal records and driving records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire, and throughout employment.

Benefits Of Joining Our Team

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from. If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost.
• Optional life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Employee benefits include 11 paid holidays, 3 personal business days, 8 hours of monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours per month.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Department of Administrative Services Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%. Review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification.
• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized 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.

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 any protected class—including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation and we do 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.