Job Description
Salary: $29.54 - $48.00 Hourly
Location : Salem, OR
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: 554-2025-34
Department: Health and Human Services
Division: HHS - BH - Adult Outpatient MH Svcs
Opening Date: 08/21/2025
Closing Date: 9/3/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 06
Marion County requires on-site work. Remote work is not available. If you're passionate about delivering compassionate, evidence-based care and want to make a lasting impact in the lives of those living with serious and persistent mental illness, we invite you to join Marion County's Adult Behavioral Health Services as a Mental Health Therapist. Here, you'll work closely with clients to provide assessments, create tailored treatment plans, and offer both individual and group therapy, all while collaborating with a supportive, multidisciplinary team that believes in recovery and the power of human resilience. We offer exceptional benefits, superb training, licensure supervision for LPC and LCSW, tuition assistance, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness-making this not only a rewarding role, but a smart career move. Whether you're an experienced clinician or just starting your journey, you'll find the resources, mentorship, and diverse work that help you grow, thrive, and make a difference every day!
Wages: Mental Health Therapist 1: $29.54 - $39.58 hr.
Mental Health Therapist 2: $35.83 - $48.00 hr.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Mental Health Therapist 2:
Provide assessments and treatment of individuals and families, including groups; provides crisis assessment and intervention services and related duties as required. Primary responsibility of this class is to provide assessment and treatment services; crisis intervention, and treatment services, including intensive services, to individuals and their families with complex needs and diagnoses and/or to develop and implement specific services in the community.
Mental Health Therapist 1:
Plans and carries out recreational, social and skills training activities; performs case management and counseling functions with Adults in Custody (AIC); facilitates counseling and/or skills training groups; performs related duties as required. Primary responsibility of this class is case management and counseling, without responsibility for developing and implementing specific programs in the community.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED Mental Health Therapist 2 and 1:
Works under the supervision of a supervisor who assigns work, establishes goals, and reviews the results obtained for overall effectiveness.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED Mental Health Therapist 2 and 1:
Supervision of others is not a responsibility of positions in this classification. Crisis Clinician 2 may act as Clinical Supervisor designee when needed. May assist in the supervision of practicum students and/or volunteers.
Typical Duties - Duties include, but are not limited to the following Provide behavioral health services to individuals with serious and persistent mental health conditions at Adult Behavioral Health. Services are delivered according to County standards and OARs. Includes providing services to individuals in the community.
Therapy - Provide individual and group therapy to individuals using a variety of evidence-based practices as clinically indicated, which may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), Collaborative Problem-Solving (CPI), and Motivational Interviewing.
- Work independently to provide crisis assessment and specific intervention services, including development of safety/crisis plans and suicide and self-harm risk assessments.
Assessments & Treatment Planning - Provide intake and annual comprehensive mental health assessments, including assessing mental health and/or behavioral symptoms using a variety of standard assessment tools, individual functional skills, determining treatment needs, developing individualized treatment plans, developing crisis prevention plans, and directing provision of treatment services.
Case Management & Consultation - Determine individual service needs and appropriateness of services.
- Provide minimal case management, including community-based services, making referrals and coordinating with other agencies to obtain services and resources, benefits and entitlements.
- Provide case specific consultation to other providers and community partners.
Documentation - Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with federal, state, county and treatment program requirements under the direction of the clinical supervisor.
- Meet performance expectations for time and billing standards.
Miscellaneous - Work with a team of clinicians and supervisor for clinical supervision, treatment planning, staff and departmental meetings, and trainings.
- Work within a team and collaborate with other team members.
- May serve as a team leader.
- May represent the agency on internal or external committees as requested by the supervisor.
- May provide mental health and/or substance use disorders education and training to other staff.
- May represent the agency on internal or external committees as requested by the supervisor.
- Employee must be able to drive county vehicles to provide services to individuals in community settings.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
NOTE: A Mental Health Specialist 2 may have a higher caseload and/or more complex cases than a Mental Health Specialist 1.
Response Level 2: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100 and 700 on-line or in-person training.
Requirements for the Position EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING - Possession of a Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy or a behavioral science field, or possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing and licensed by the State of Oregon, or possession of a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy and licensed by the State of Oregon; OR second year graduate students waivered as QMHP's by the Oregon Health Authority.
- Mental Health Therapist 2 Only: In addition to the educational requirements above, the Mental Health Therapist 2 must have at least one year of full-time, post-Master's degree experience in the behavioral health field.
PREFERENCES Preference will be awarded to candidates who are LCSW, CSWA or eligible for LCSW. Qualified candidates will be eligible for licensure supervision if hired.
AUTO-PROMOTE AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF CLASSIFICATION Individuals hired as a Mental Health Specialist 1 will auto-promote, as noted in Article 4 in the Marion County personnel rules, to the classification of Mental Health Specialist 2 upon satisfactorily completing one-year, post master's degree, of service as a Mental Health Specialist 1. (One-year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours)
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must be either 1) licensed by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, 2) licensed by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers or 3) credentialed or registered through the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board of Oregon (MHACBO) as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) within the first 30 days of employment. Applicants may be required to pass a practical knowledge and skills assessment as part of the interview process.
- This position may be subject to the following: Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).
- Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at:
- The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
- This is a safety sensitive/special needs position. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy can be found at:
- This assignment is represented by a union.
- This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
- Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Working knowledge of community mental health concepts and/or chemical dependency case management and treatment services; individual assessment, treatment planning and treatment protocols; mental health disorders and diagnostic classifications.
Ability to establish positive working relationships with other employees, individuals and their families, other agencies, and the public; prepare concise and complete clinical documentation related to individual treatment and progress in services in a timely and professional manner; work within a team and collaborate with team members; knowledge of and ability to act professionally with regard to a code of ethics and confidentiality.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; sits; stands; moves about the work area; climbs 1 floor of stairs; operates a keyboard; lifts, pushes, pulls, and carries up to 15 lbs.; moves carts weighing up to 15 lbs.; speaks with a clear and audible voice; reads a 12 pt. font; hears a normal speech level; works in areas that may be exposed to heat, cold, humidity, dust, second-hand smoke, noise, blood/body fluids, or household cleaning chemicals such as bleach or cleansers; may work in areas that are uneven or wet.
Additional Information and/or Attachments We offer tuition assistance for employees interested in professional development.
- Up to $1,500 per year to reimburse for tuition, licensure and/or other educational expenditures. According to the Marion County policy administrative policies regarding tuition payments. The policy can be found at:
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Student Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your student loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.
VISA SPONSORSHIP Marion County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Marion County is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE Applicants are eligible to use Veterans' Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235 and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE - One of the following:
- MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR
- Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR
- Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.
- In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:
- A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR
- Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.
You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at
Marion County is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.
Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation, through Human Resources, in any step of the process to assist them in demonstrating their qualifications to perform the duties of the position for which they are applying. Please e-mail if you wish to request an accommodation.
Marion County offers a generous benefits package to regular employees working 50% or more of the regularly scheduled work week and their eligible dependents. Temporary employees and part-time regular employees working less than 50% of the regularly scheduled work week are not eligible for benefits.
Most regular positions in this classification are represented by Marion County Employees Association (MCEA). For a summary of benefits, For a complete and detailed overview of the MCEA benefits package, , and select MCEA Benefits from the left menu or Marion County Employees Association (MCEA) from the page links. Regular and temporary employees are represented by MCEA.
Salary and benefits are subject to union contract negotiations and may change as a result.
01
To receive credit for your supplemental questions, your answers must be supported by details in the education and/or work experience section of your application form. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer. Do you understand this statement?
02
Please select the option that best applies to you below:
- I am licensed by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists as a LPC.
- I am licensed by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers as an LCSW.
- I am credentialed by the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board (MHACBO) as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).
- I have registered with MHACBO to become credentialed as a QMHP. Please list the registration date below.
- I am NOT licensed in Oregon, nor have I registered with MHACBO to become credentialed as a QMHP.
03
If you have registered with MHACBO, please list the date of registration below. If you selected other options above, please enter N/A.
04
Indicate how many years of full-time post-master's work experience you have providing behavioral health services to adults with serious & persistent mental illnesses (i.e., Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, etc.) (one year of work experience is equal to 2080 hour.) OR indicate if you are a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
- I am a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- None of the above
05
Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.
06
Indicate how many years of full-time post-master's work experience you have providing individual and/or group mental health therapy to adults (one year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours) OR indicate if you are a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
- I am a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- None of the above
07
Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.
08
Indicate how many years of full-time post-master's work experience you have conducting comprehensive mental health assessments for adults (one year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours) OR indicate if you are a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
- I am a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- None of the above
09
Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.
10
Indicate how many years of full-time post-master's work experience you have creating mental health treatment/service plans for adults (one year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours) OR indicate if you are a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
- I am a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- None of the above
11
Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.
12
Indicate how many years of full-time work experience you have working with adults with substance use disorders (one year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours) OR indicate if you are a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
- I am a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- None of the above
13
Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.
14
Indicate how many years of full-time work experience you have providing case management (one year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours) OR indicate if you are a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
- I am a current master's intern at Marion County Adult Behavioral Health.
- None of the above
15
Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.
16
If you just graduated with your master's degree or are a current master's intern, please indicate where you did/are doing your internship, how many months you have been at your internship, and how many hours per week you spend at your internship. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you.
17
If you just graduated with your master's degree or are a current master's intern, please describe the clinical tasks you have been doing/did at your internship and extent of experience with each of those tasks (i.e., individual and group therapy, comprehensive mental health assessments, treatment/service plans, case management, etc.). Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you.
Required Question
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