Spanish Bilingual Mental Health Specialist (Behavioral Health Crisis Program)

Clackamas County; Oregon; On-site; USD 76,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Clackamas County's Behavioral Health Division is seeking a bilingual Mental Health Specialist to join the Crisis Program at the Clackamas Mental Health Center. You will deliver crisis response, short-term intervention, triage, and case management across the lifespan.

The role requires Spanish/English fluency, a relevant graduate degree, and experience in crisis services. Compensation includes a 5% bilingual premium; standard county benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or other behavioral science fields.
• If Licensed: must hold credentials as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Psychologist with a minimum of two years of related experience.
• If Unlicensed: must have a minimum of one year of relevant experience.
• Licensure is not required to be obtained within three years of hire.
• Fluent in Spanish/English, both oral and written.
• At least one year experience with adults and children with mental health and substance use issues.
• At least one year experience providing assessment, triage, and crisis intervention.
• At least one year experience assessing risk for suicide and/or danger to self or others.
• Experience utilizing an electronic health record or similar computerized data system.
• Must possess or obtain a CPR/First Aid certificate within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide emergent and urgent assessment and treatment services for individuals across the life span as part of the crisis program.
• Conduct mental health triage, crisis intervention, and consultation in person or via telehealth.
• Manage a caseload suitable for short-term outpatient crisis stabilization.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up services with appropriate agencies.
• Document all contacts and maintain documentation in the electronic clinical record.
• Perform responsibilities as Mental Health Director’s designee, including involuntary commitment processes.
• Compile statistics and assist with reporting requirements.
• Attend meetings and assist with training county and community partners.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

QMHP eligible

CPR/First Aid

Crisis intervention experience

Risk assessment experience

Education

Graduate degree in behavioral sciences

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Job description

CLACKAMAS COUNTY

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.

SPIRIT: OUR CORE VALUES

Explore Clackamas County.

Recreation, Arts & Heritage.

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Please Note: The application deadline may be extended to expand the pool of qualified candidates. Any recruitment timeline changes will be communicated to all who have initiated an application process or have submitted an application.

Compensation

• Mental Health Specialist 2 (licensed):
  • Annual Pay Range: $91,682.43 - $115,982.52
  • Hourly Pay Range: $44.078091 - $55.760829
• Mental Health Specialist 1 (unlicensed):
  • Annual Pay Range: $75,689.78 - $96,108.46
  • Hourly Pay Range: $36.389318 - $46.205988

Bilingual Spanish/English skills are required for this position. An additional 5% compensation is added to pay. Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Job Details And Qualifications

Clackamas County’s Behavioral Health Division (CCBHD) is seeking an experienced, energetic, and adaptable mental health professional to join the Crisis Program at the Clackamas Mental Health Center (Clackamas MHC). As a Spanish Bilingual Mental Health Specialist, you will deliver comprehensive crisis response and short-term intervention to clients across the lifespan. In this versatile role, you will perform triage, conduct mental health assessments, provide brief treatment and case management, serve as a Mental Health Director’s designee (training provided), and connect individuals to vital community, legal, medical, and social resources.

Under general direction, your primary responsibilities will include clinic-based risk assessments, crisis intervention, case management, consultation, and referrals. You will also provide outreach and engagement to individuals with serious mental illness who frequently need crisis services. This role serves vulnerable individuals, many of whom have limited resources, and requires the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

The ideal candidate brings a person-centered, strengths-based approach that includes peers and natural support systems; works collaboratively with community partners; respects each person’s right to define and pursue their own recovery; and is committed to serving a diverse population and promoting equity and inclusion.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills

• Registered as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as established by the State of Oregon:
  • Graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or other behavioral science fields.
  • If Licensed: Must hold credentials as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Psychologist AND have a minimum of two (2) years of related experience.
  • If Unlicensed*: Must have a minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience.
  • *Licensure is not required to be obtained within three (3) years of hire. However, if licensure is obtained while employed, a promotion to the Mental Health Specialist 2 classification may be considered.
  • Fluent in Spanish/English, both oral and written.
  • At least one (1) year experience working with adults and children with mental health and substance abuse issues.
  • At least one (1) year experience providing assessment, triage, and crisis intervention with individuals who are in mental health crisis.
  • At least one (1) year experience assessing risk for suicide and/or danger to self or others.
  • Experience utilizing an electronic health record or similar computerized data system.
  • Must possess or obtain a CPR/First Aid certificate within six (6) months of hire.

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills

• Current licensure in a behavioral health related field (LCSW, LPC, PsyD/PHD ).
• Certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) I, II, Ill.
• Experience working collaboratively with law enforcement, community partners, collateral service providers, and co-workers.
• Experience working in a community based setting (i.e.: mobile outreach, crisis assessment, in-home counseling, schools, crisis clinics, etc.).

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test.
• Must pass a criminal history investigation which may include national or state fingerprint records check. This may include a completed Statement of Personal History (SPH).
• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment.
• For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Provide emergent and urgent assessment and treatment services (including brief counseling and case management) for individuals across the life span in Clackamas County as part of the Behavioral Health Division’s crisis program.
• Conduct mental health triage, crisis intervention, and consultation in person and/or via telehealth (phone or video).
• Be responsible for a caseload of clients suitable for short-term outpatient crisis stabilization treatment.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up services with appropriate agencies.
• Document all contacts per Division guidelines. Enter and maintain documentation of services provided in the electronic clinical record in accordance with OAR and Division procedures.
• Perform responsibilities associated with serving as a Mental Health Director’s designee, including initiating the involuntary commitment process through Director’s Custody under ORS 426.233.
• Compile statistics and assist with reporting requirements as directed.
• Attend meetings and assist with providing training to county and community partners as requested.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position works 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Friday. Standard work hours for this position are mid-day/evening shifts.

• Available work schedule: 10:30AM – 7:00PM

Benefits Information

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle.

Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee’s date of hire.

Generous Paid Time Off Package, Including

• 12 hours of vacation accrued per month
  • Eligible newly hired employees will have the one-time option to frontload their first year of vacation accruals! This means you have access to vacation time at time of hire.
• 8 hours of sick accrued per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Longevity pay
• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see link below for additional information)

The Behavioral Health Division provides licensure supervision to all regular status employees who have completed a Graduate degree in a behavioral science-related field (social work, counseling, clinical psychology, etc.), and is actively pursuing licensure in that field.

There may be options for loan forgiveness while working with a government/public agency with the Public Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This is a full time County position represented by the Employees' Association.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Clackamas County Behavioral Health Division strives to provide excellent mental health, substance use, care coordination, forensic, and peer services to those individuals who receive the Oregon Health Plan, Medicare or are uninsured and living in Clackamas County. Services are either provided by our own staff or through referral to partner providers located throughout the county.

Mission Statement

We lead and learn with equity in serving individuals, families, and communities by providing access to high quality healthcare, housing, and services that strengthen social and economic resilience.

Vision Statement

Individuals, families, and communities are resilient and thriving.

H3S is committed to improving programs and ensuring better outcomes for the people served, and focuses on the following goals:

• EMPOWERED AND THRIVING STAFF - H3S staff are empowered, engaged and have a sense of belonging while being valued and supported to thrive.
• EQUITY DRIVEN SERVICES - H3S promotes and provides accessible, equitable and culturally responsive services.
• ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE & CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT - H3S operates consistently, efficiently and effectively as a cohesive department, using our individual and collective skills and expertise.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources by calling 503-655-8459 or emailing us at [e-mail]. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day .

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNIT Y

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.

RECRUITMENT CONTACT

Jimmy Henry, Recruiter

Email: [e-mail]