Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$41.45 - $50.97 Hourly

Department:

Health Department

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

November 04, 2026

The Opportunity:

The Opportunity:

Additional Compensation:

• Jail Side Premium: Mental Health Consultants also receive a Jail Side 10% Hourly Premium.

• Benefits: Multnomah County provides generous benefits to our employees and their covered family members, including domestic partners. Multnomah County offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, ten paid holidays each year, vacation and sick leave, life and supplemental life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, and participation in Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Please click here for a General Benefits Overview that you as a Multnomah County employee will be eligible to receive. https://multco.us/benefits/new-employee-benefits 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

An additional benefit to being a full time employee with the Multnomah County Health Department is that you will qualify for the Federal Student Aid U.S Department Of Education Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Essentially this is a program that allows those that work for a qualifying employer for a period of at least 10 years to have their student loans forgiven. To learn more about  Public Service Loan Forgiveness please visit Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

THIS WORK MATTERS!

At Corrections Health, we provide medically needed health care to adults and youth in custody at Multnomah County Jails and Juvenile Detention Facility. Come join our team of Portland's most outstanding health care professionals providing exceptional services to our diverse community!

The Mental Health Consultant (MHC) provides direct services of assessment, crisis intervention, counseling and case management for the mentally ill client population in jail. Indirect services include case consultation, group facilitation, education, research and selected assigned administrative and patient care duties. You will create a culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

As a Mental Health Consultant in Corrections Health, you may be assigned to one of two Correctional Health facilities based on current openings:
1. The Multnomah County Detention Center (downtown- adult population)
2. The Juvenile Detention Center (NE Portland-youth population).

Come join us in doing work that matters!

Depending upon assignment, you will be performing some or all of the following duties, which are a representative sample of the level of work appropriate to these positions:

• Provide direct services of assessment, crisis intervention, counseling, case management, and discharge planning for the mentally ill client population in jail.

• Provide indirect services including case consultation, group facilitation, education, research and selected assigned administrative and patient care duties.

• Receive clients on a referred, emergent or follow-up basis; responsible for initial psychiatric/psychological workup; at the time of client visit; formulates definitive assessment and treatment plan, utilizing DSM 5 diagnostic criteria.

• Provide direct patient care crisis intervention, counseling and client education, including how to access community resources.

• Ability to use electronic medical records; accurately document client's care through the use of SOAP charting.

• Ability to manage a large caseload, and to interface with provider and support staff.

• Use appropriate skills to defuse potentially violent or aggressive situations.

• Participate actively in the Mental Health Team, consulting with providers, nurses, and monitoring client response to treatment; and in court process, when subpoenaed, to explain client's mental health status.

• Work closely with Correction Deputies and Juvenile Custody Support Specialists in their day-to-day dealings with mentally ill clients.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: 

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be as noted below. All non-traditional education, training and experience will be evaluated.

Education/Certification:

Must be a Certified Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP-C) with the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) or hold an Independent license (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, PsyD) through the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers, or the Oregon Board of Psychology.

• ​Current CPR/BLS certification (Valid certification upon hire) 

Other: 

• ​Current CPR/BLS certification (Valid certification upon hire) 

• The position requires a background investigation which may include being fingerprinted. Employment is contingent on passing a background investigation.

• The employee holding the position is designated as an Essential Employee under Multnomah County Personnel Rule 3-15-015, Essential Employees.

PLEASE READ:

Preferred Qualifications/ Transferable Skills*:

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/ transferable skills to qualify.  However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• 2 years of experience working in a fast-paced clinical setting as a master’s level clinician providing individual and group psychotherapy, diagnostic assessment and treatment . 

• Independent licensure in Oregon (e.g. Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist) or license eligible based on your current education.

• Experience in a corrections setting or other secure setting.

• Experience in severe mental illness, risk assessment, and crisis intervention.

• Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling is desirable. 

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

REQUIRED: 

The Application Packet: You must submit ALL requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

1. Attach a Resume demonstrating you meeting minimum qualifications; AND

2. Attach a copy of your Graduate Transcripts, QMHP-C Certification through MHACBO or Oregon Licensure (Required)

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process. 

The Selection Process:

For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications

• Resume and Cover Letter Review 

• Phone screen

• Consideration of top candidates

• Background, reference

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Type of Position: This position is eligible for overtime.

Type: Represented

FLSA: Non-Exempt

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

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. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Amanda Sinclair

Email:

amanda.armstrong@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 5001688

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: 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.

Job Profile:

6365 - Mental Health Consultant