Behavioral Health Specialist 3

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today!  -   Behavioral Health Specialist 3 

Make a Difference in the Lives of Those Who Need It Most 
Oregon State Hospital (OSH) serves a diverse population of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, including: 

• Those committed to OSH due to being a danger to self, danger to others, and/or unable to meet their own basic health and safety needs. 

• Individuals under the supervision of the Psychiatric Security Review Board after successfully asserting the insanity defense. 

• Individuals charged with a crime who are unable to aid and assist in their own defense. 

Our treatment focus combines evidence-based care, competency restoration, and person-centered support to help each patient achieve their highest level of functioning. 

As a Behavioral Health Specialist 3 (BHS 3), you will play a critical role in this mission. This lead-level position develops and delivers specialized, evidence-based psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational services to both individuals and groups. You will collaborate in Interdisciplinary Treatment (IDT) meetings, conduct assessments, create individualized behavioral interventions, and provide suicide risk assessments and recommendations. You may also provide clinical supervision to Behavioral Health Specialist 1 and 2 staff, lead trainings for colleagues across disciplines, and serve as a key contributor to the development of treatment plans and care strategies. 

In addition to clinical responsibilities, this position functions as a lead worker—orienting new employees, assigning and reassigning work, guiding procedures, and evaluating performance. While some tasks may be performed remotely, the role requires on-site presence for patient care, direct collaboration, supervision, training, and emergent clinical needs. Work is generally performed between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., with flexibility approved as needed for clinical purposes. 

If you’re a dedicated mental health professional looking to provide leadership, direct patient care, and shape treatment approaches for some of Oregon’s most complex behavioral health cases, we invite you to join our team. 

If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all.  

What We Are Looking For  

Minimum Qualifications: . 

Possession of a Clinician license in the State of Oregon AND three years of professional experience related to the series concept. 

Note: Some positions may require qualification as a QMHP (Qualified Mental Health Professional). 

Desired Attributes: The following are skills and lived experiences that we have identified as key to success in this role at OHA. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you possess any of these, please let us know in your application.   

Clinical Expertise – Demonstrated proficiency in delivering evidence-based psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational interventions to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. 

Leadership Skills – Ability to mentor, guide, and provide clinical supervision to multidisciplinary staff, fostering professional growth and high-quality service delivery. 

Collaborative Approach – Skilled in working effectively within an Interdisciplinary Treatment (IDT) team, building strong professional relationships to support coordinated care. 

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving – Strong ability to assess complex clinical situations, identify needs, and develop effective, individualized treatment plans and interventions. 

Adaptability & Resilience – Capacity to remain flexible and composed in a fast-paced, evolving treatment environment while maintaining focus on patient-centered care. 

Special Requirements: Possession of psychology licensure in State of Oregon or license eligibility.  

Application Guidance  

How to Apply: Submission Requirements - At the time of application, ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and attach a current copy of your resume and answer all supplemental questions.   

• External Candidates: Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.  

• Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.  

After You Apply:  

• Before the job announcement closes, log in to your Workday account to check for pending tasks under “My Applications” and complete them.  

• Remember to check your email (including your junk folder) and Workday inbox for updates on your application.  

• We value our veterans! To ensure the security of your information, kindly follow the instructions for how to submit your Veteran documents for preference found here. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.   

Reminders:  

• Your candidate profile and application materials are great opportunities to showcase your interest in the position and highlight your skills and experience. Submissions will be screened for consistency and communication skills, including attention to detail, spelling, and grammar. For more tips and guidance, check out What you need to know to get the job!  

• This announcement is for one vacancy, fulltime, permanent, SEIU represented, Classification: Behavioral Health Specialist 3 in Salem, Oregon.   

• This is an in-office position. Please check SECTION 4. WORKING CONDITIONS, of the position description linked above to review more details regarding the details surrounding the working conditions.   

• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline. For questions about the announcement, or if you require an alternate format to apply, please contact the Senior Recruiter Barry Lein:  at barry.lein@oha.oregon.gov,  voice/text 503-440-6484.   

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. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.  

Helpful Links & Resources  

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources   

The Oregon Health Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity and pay equity.