State of Oregon·Woodburn, Oregon
The role involves providing comprehensive mental and behavioral health treatment and services to youth in care, collaborating with psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, or psychologists to maintain a nurturing treatment environment. The specialist will exercise leadership within the living unit, implementing evidence-based interventions to foster youth development, responsibility, and socially acceptable behaviors.
Initial Posting Date: 09/04/2025
Application Deadline: /
$6,420.00 - $8,967.00
Behavioral Health Specialist 2 - QMHP (bilingual Spanish/English)
Oregon youth authority: Behavioral health specialist 2-Qualified mental health professional (Relocation assistance available)
Are you a passionate and dedicated mental health professional? Join our team at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn with the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA). We are actively seeking a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), and while bilingualism in English and Spanish is not mandatory, candidates with this valuable skill will receive preference and a bilingual differential!
At OYA, we wholeheartedly welcome professionals like you who are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of youth. As a QMHP, your role is pivotal in providing comprehensive mental and behavioral health treatment and services to the youth in our care. You will collaborate closely with a diverse team of experts, including contracted psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), or psychologists, to create and maintain a nurturing treatment environment within the assigned living unit.
Your primary mission will be to cultivate an engaging atmosphere that fosters the growth and development of young individuals, empowering them to embrace responsibility, adopt healthy habits, lead fulfilling lives, and engage in socially acceptable behaviors. Working alongside the Living Unit Manager (LUM) and the unit Case Coordinator (CC), you will exercise strong leadership within your designated living unit, implementing and sustaining evidence-based interventions within a group living setting.
At OYA, diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords; they are core values. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, encompassing different races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and identities. We firmly believe that a diverse team brings a wide array of perspectives and enriches our collective expertise, and we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Join us in making a positive difference in the lives of young individuals.
Would you like to learn more about this position or how our application process works? Join our Recruitment team during our OYA Career Chat Sessions every other Wednesday between 11am-11:30am PST. We can assist you with all your application questions and agency questions!
Click here to register for OYA Career Chats [https://outlook.office365.com/book/OYACareerChats@oya.onmicrosoft.com/s/LL7AxXuTDU6EAgz4do6Zcg2?ismsaljsauthenabled]
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This recruitment will remain open until filled but we may close the announcement at any time when we have received an adequate number of applications. We cannot guarantee that we will consider applications received after this screening date. We encourage interested applicants not to delay in applying.
A 5% bilingual differential will be added to the final salary for those fluent in Speaking English and Spanish
We may use this recruitment to fill future vacancies.
Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range based on your experience, skills and education. For more information on pay equity, click here [https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/equal-pay.aspx].
The salary range listed is the non-PERS [https://www.oregon.gov/pers/Pages/index.aspx] participating rate. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. Please review the Classification and Compensation [https://www.oregon.gov/das/hr/pages/cc.aspx] page for more details.
This position receives annual increases on anniversary date until the maximum of the salary range is reached.
Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.
At OYA, diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than just words on a page.
To meet our mission and live our values as an agency, DEI must be at the heart of all we do.
We support cultural competence, develop teams and cultivate leaders in ways that are equitable to everyone, especially people of color, those who identify as LGBTQ+, or those from other marginalized communities.
We are explicit and intentional as we identify resources that all our youth and staff need to grow and prosper.
Our DEI work connects closely with our culture of positive human development, with safe and supportive environments where everyone is held accountable and connected to their community.
The end goal is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.
If you are looking to join a team that values individual and cultural differences, with the opportunity to contribute to youth reformation by enriching our workforce with diversity, OYA wants to hear from you! People of color, women, and other members of historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply!
For more information please visit www.oregon.gov/oya [http://www.oregon.gov/oya].
What's in it for You?
OYA values our employees. We believe that your time outside of the workplace is as valuable as it is inside the workplace. We offer a great work/life balance with flexible work schedules on most positions and a competitive benefits package, including low-cost, high-coverage health insurance [https://www.oregon.gov/OHA/PEBB/Pages/index.aspx], generous time-off, and a competitive retirement plan [https://www.oregon.gov/PERS/pages/index.aspx].
Discover more about working in Oregon state government by clicking here [http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=190&v=wdsXftebX-4]. [https://www.oregon.gov/oya/hrpd/REQ-63226.pdf]
This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU/OPEU). By joining and maintaining your membership with SEIU Local 503, the following benefits are available to you such as:
$2,500 life insurance policy paid for by your union, SEIU Local 503. This policy is in effect if you are an active member.
Up to $200,000 of additional life insurance can be purchased. Up to $100,000 member life, $40,000 spouse and $10,000 child is guaranteed within the first 90 days of new union membership.
Short Term Disability insurance is guaranteed if purchased within the first 90 days of new union membership.
Legal insurance enrollment is available to purchase within the first 90 days of new union membership.
Tuition reimbursement.
Education and experience which demonstrates the competencies to identify precipitating events; gather histories of mental and physical disabilities, alcohol and drug use, past mental health services and criminal justice contacts; assess family, social and work relationships; conduct a mental status examination; document a multiaxial DSM diagnosis; write and supervise a treatment plan, conduct comprehensive mental health assessment; and provide individual, family, and/or group therapy within the scope of practice.
If you have these qualities, let us know! It’s how we will choose whom to move forward!
You do not need to have all of these qualities to be eligible for this position.
Preference given to those candidate that are bilingual in English/Spanish.
Preference given to those candidates that has received licensure in their discipline.
Certificates and/or work experience related to substance use treatment.
Certificates and/or work experience related to sexual harming behaviors.
Strong clinical skills with adolescents and young adults, with the ability to provide clinical work independently.
Experience providing treatment in gang affiliation, anger management, fire setting, and violent offending.
1. Complete the application or submit a fully completed resume.
2. Complete questionnaire.
3. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the public records request authorization. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are an employee, the public records request task will come to your Workday inbox.
4. If you are a veteran, the task to claim preference will come after the public records request question. Please do not attach your DD214/DD215/civil service preference letter to your application. We will ask you for your documents later in the process.
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we are here to serve. OYA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be individualized based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.” The more diverse we are, the better our work will be.
Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation or for alternative format please contact OYA Recruitment at 971-345-1236. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.
In keeping with our mission, OYA will conduct a criminal record check, per OAR 416 Division 800 [https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=1996], a driving record background check and a vulnerable population abuse and neglect check. Information obtained about an individual is confidential. An individual who refuses to consent to a criminal records/background check shall be disqualified from consideration in the position for which you applied. All applicants are subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as fingerprint based on criminal records check, pre-employment drug screening education verification, and/or board certification and/or professional licensing status check as required for the position.
In 2003 Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act [https://www.ojp.gov/program/programs/prisonrapeelimination] (PREA), the first federal civil statue focused specifically on addressing sexual violence in juvenile facilities, jails, prisons, and other facilities. In recognition of the rights, safety, and well-being of the youth we serve you will be asked specific questions about your background to ensure our hiring and promotion practices comply with the National PREA standards.
All positions in OYA will require the incumbent to serve as a "mandatory reporter" of child abuse.
We do not offer Visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. OYA uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.
For questions about the job announcement, email OYAJobs@oya.oregon.go [OYAJobs@oya.oregon.gov]v.
Candidates must be eligible for Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification, which requires specific educational backgrounds such as a graduate degree in psychology or social work, or a licensed nursing/occupational therapy degree plus relevant experience. Preference is given to candidates bilingual in English and Spanish, and those with licensure in their discipline.
Market context
In Oregon, bilingual Spanish/English Behavioral Health Specialist roles often draw steady demand because providers need staff who can support diverse clients and meet QMHP eligibility standards. Competition can be stronger for candidates who already hold the required graduate-level education or licensed clinical background, since the role combines language skills, behavioral health experience, and certification readiness. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit, then confirm your QMHP pathway and highlight Spanish-language client support in your application.
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