SUD Treatment Counselor, Behavioral Health Specialist 1, Qualified Mental Health Associate (Salem)

Oregon State Government Jobs; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Corrections is seeking qualified candidates for roles as SUD Treatment Counselors and other behavioral health positions. Ideal candidates will deliver comprehensive, gender-inclusive treatment services and work collaboratively within a correctional environment, focusing on individuals with substance use disorders. This role includes engaging in assessments, treatment planning, and facilitation of support groups aimed at rehabilitation.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Retirement benefits through PERS

Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare

Qualifications

• Must meet QMHA certification criteria.
• Experience with substance use disorder assessment and treatment is preferred.
• Ability to design and implement treatment interventions as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Deliver gender-inclusive, trauma-informed substance use disorder treatment.
• Conduct ASAM assessments, treatment planning, and group facilitation.
• Work closely with AIC Peer Recovery Mentors.

Skills

Substance Use Disorder treatment

Trauma-informed care

Gender-inclusive treatment

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral science

Qualified Mental Health Associate certification

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor 1 certification

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

05/27/2025

Application Deadline:

06/08/2025

Agency:

Department of Corrections

Salary Range:

$6,727 - $8,917

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

SUD Treatment Counselor, Behavioral Health Specialist 1, Qualified Mental Health Associate (Salem)

Job Description:

SUD Treatment Counselor, Behavioral Health Specialist 1, Qualified Mental Health Associate (Salem)

Oregon State Penitentiary – Salem, Orgon

Oregon Department of Corrections

About the Job – Your Role

The Oregon Department of Corrections provides several levels of mental health treatment along with individualized case management. Behavioral health services are targeted to adults in custody (AIC) with severe or persistent mental illness. Short-term services are available to AICs who are not mentally ill, but who show high suicide potential, or who are experiencing other emotional distress. Behavioral Health Services also provides Substance Use Disorder treatment to AICs that meet qualification for available programs.

The purpose of this position is to deliver gender-inclusive and trauma-informed substance use disorder treatment services utilizing a chronic disease framework to adults in custody (AICs) at an outpatient level of care. The QMHA staff function as the primary service providers for this program. Services provided include ASAM assessment, treatment planning, group facilitation, individualized SUD treatment counseling, psychosocial skills development, case management, and discharge planning. This position works closely with AIC Peer Recovery Mentors. This position has contact with all levels of institution staff, as well as other agencies, individuals, and groups that interface with the ODOC. This position is supervised by a designated SUD Treatment Program Manager.

Applicants must be credentialed as a QMHA or meet the criteria for credentialing as a QMHA; and must also be credentialed as an Oregon Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor 1 (CADC 1) or higher with the Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO).

What’s in it for you?

DOC employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, andbasic employee life coveragethrough the Public Employees' Benefit Board (PEBB)and retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).Paid vacation leave and sick leave are accrued monthly and wage increases are awarded in accordance with theapplicable labor contract.

Additional applicable incentives:

• 5% for leader worker QMHAs

This position is represented by American Federations of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This position may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field; OR

• A combination of at least three years of relevant work, education, training, or experience; OR

• Possession of a current Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) certification; OR

• A qualified Mental Health Intern, as defined in 309-019-0105(61).

Note:Some positions may require qualification as a QMHA (Qualified Mental Health Associate).

Preferred Candidates will:

List any special mandatory recruiting requirements for this position:

• Are credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) with the Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), or are able to be credentialed as a QMHA.

• Demonstrate the competency necessary to understand substance use disorder assessment, treatment and service terminology and apply these concepts; design and implement interventions as assigned on an individual plan of care; facilitate treatment groups; and provide case management.

• Are credentialed as a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor I (CADC-I) or higher with MHACBO

• Have experience with evidence-based, trauma-informed, and gender-inclusive treatment interventions for adults with substance use disorders and possible co-occurring mental health disorders.

Desired attributes

• Experience working in collaboration with Certified Recovery Mentors or Peer Support Specialists

• Familiarity with the chronic disease approach to SUD treatment

• Individuals with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply

Please submit a resume.

Application Information

• In the Work Experience section of your application make sure to include the dates and duties of all relevant positions and details to support how you meet these attributes. If you do not include education or work experience meeting the minimum qualifications, you will not be considered for the position. Only the candidates whose experience most closely matches the qualifications and requested skills of this position will be invited to interview. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the job posting close date.

• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

• Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.

• As part of our selection process, we may require additional assessment stages, such as written exercises, to further evaluate candidates’ qualifications. Meaningful participation in these exercises is required for all applicants moving forward in the process. Failure to complete the required exercise(s) within the specified timeframe will result in disqualification from consideration. All candidates who successfully complete these screening stages and meet the necessary requirements will advance to the next stage in the selection process.

• Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.

Working Conditions

This position is in Salem at the Oregon State Penitentiary. You will work in close contact with adults in custody in the institution setting and may be exposed to hostile situations or incidents. You will perform work inside a 24/7 facility, shifts may vary to include early shifts, late shifts, and weekends. You will have contact with adults in custody during treatment/consultation, at times out of visual range of security staff. You will be exposed to adults in custody that may become physically and/or verbally abusive and requires vigilance and awareness.

About the Department

The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for over 12,000 adults in custody in 12 state prisons throughout Oregon. It advises and evaluates counties regarding administration of probation and parole programs supervising more than 24,000 offenders in Oregon communities. The mission is to protect communities, promote accountability, and transform lives.

The Oregon Department of Corrections serves a diverse and changing population of people who are incarcerated and on supervision. We commit to creating an organization both reflecting the diversity of the population we serve and ensuring all employees thrive in a culture of safety, trust, and belonging. We strive to be an anti-racist corrections system. Welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all people. Free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

The Department offers a variety of programs and opportunity to create a safe and healthy environment to for our staff, volunteers, and adults in custody. Joining the Oregon Department of Corrections is joining a team working for the benefit of our communities through innovative and proven correctional practices.

Benefits

The salary range listed above is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range to reflect an additional 6.95%.

The State of Oregon provides a generous benefit package, which includes:

• Family health, vision, and dental insurance

• Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays

• 21 days paid military leave for national guard and reserve components

• Optional short and long-term disability

• Term life insurance

• Fully paid retirement program

• Oregon Saving Growth Plan

• Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare

• And more

About the Process – What to Expect

• After the application deadline, a recruiter will review submissions for education and experience to identify candidates who best fit the minimum qualifications and requested skills.

• Top candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

• The hiring manager will review your application and schedule interviews.

• Interview will be held with a panel of stakeholders who have completed panel assessment training. Scores will be determined based on predetermined questions and scoring guides. Preferences points will be applied in compliance with relevant laws and bargaining agreements. There may be multiple rounds of interviews.

• Final candidates will have a background check, PREA check, and reference checks.

• A Classification and Compensation analyst will review the Workday Application of the successful candidate to determine starting wages. Learn more about Equal Pay.

• A job offer will be extended through Workday to the successful candidate. Congratulations, and welcome to the team!

Requirements for Employment

The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant. CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer. If you have questions about whether or not your criminal record could disqualify for you, please contact the recruiter for more information.

Additional Information – Please monitor your Workday and email accounts. You may be contacted through Workday or have additional tasks to complete.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDI&B) is embedded in the Department of Corrections core values. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Ensuring legal compliance, efficiency, and exceeding expectations to deliver the best public services.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. Additional information can be found from The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Know Your Rights.

The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for complying with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA 42 U.S.C. 1997). PREA prohibits the Oregon Department of Corrections from hiring, promoting, or contracting with anyone, (that will have direct contact with residents), who has engaged in, been convicted of, or been civilly or administratively adjudicated for engaging in sexual abuse in confinement settings. Learn more about PREA.

Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility. Please note – if you are a veteran, you will receive a task in Workday to upload your documents immediately after you submit your initial application.

Questions

If you have questions about the position, selection process, or need accommodations to participate in the recruitment process please contact the recruiter and reference the requisition number.

Recruiter: Kelli Ketchum, [e-mail]

Reference Number: Req-181269

• Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. You may lose progress on your application.

• Workday performs weekly maintenance Friday evenings, and the system may be down for several hours.

• ODOC does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States.

• This applicant list may be used to fill future vacancies. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

• This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.