Behavioral Health Specialist 2 / QMHP

Initial Posting Date: 07/10/2026

Application Deadline: 01/31/2027

Agency: Oregon Youth Authority

Salary Range: $6,581.00 - $9,191.00

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Behavioral Health Specialist 2 / QMHP

Job Description

OREGON YOUTH AUTHORITY

Behavioral Health Specialist 2 – Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)

Florence, OR – CAMP FLORENCE YOUTH TRANSITIONAL FACILITY

Are you passionate about delivering counseling and guidance to youth from diverse backgrounds? Join Camp Florence Youth Transitional Facility as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) and make a meaningful impact!

The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is looking for QMHP s dedicated to providing comprehensive mental and behavioral health services to youth at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including contracted psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), and psychologists, to create a supportive treatment environment within the assigned living unit.

Your mission will be to cultivate a positive and dynamic atmosphere that encourages youth to take responsibility, develop healthy habits, lead productive lives, and engage in socially acceptable behavior. Working alongside the Living Unit Manager (LUM) and Case Coordinator (CC), you will offer strong leadership and implement evidence-based interventions within a group living setting.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity enriches our team and enhances our collective expertise.

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 competitive benefits package, including low-cost, high-coverage health insurance, generous time-off, and a competitive retirement plan.

Discover moreabout working in Oregon state government by clicking here.

What We Are Looking For:

• A Bachelor’s degree in nursing or occupational therapy AND licensed by the State of Oregon AND three years of progressively responsible experience related to the series concept; OR
• A Master’s degree in psychology; social work; recreational, art, or music therapy; or behavioral health science AND two years of progressively responsible experience related to the series concept.

Special Qualifications:

• Driver's license required: Driving is an essential function of this position. A valid driver license and an acceptable driving record are required for this position. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s).
• Eligible for certification as Qualified Mental Health Professional at the time of application.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES/APPLICATION SCORING CRITERIA

If you have these qualities, let us know! It’s how we will choose whom to move forward!

Note: You do not need to have all of these qualities to be eligible for this position.

• 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.

NOTE:

• Graduate degree in psychology; or
• Bachelor's degree in nursing and be licensed by the State of Oregon; or
• Graduate degree in social work; or
• Graduate degree in a behavioral science field; or
• Graduate degree in recreational, art, or music therapy; or
• Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and be licensed by the State of Oregon:

AND

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.

Working Conditions

• All OYA locations are tobacco-free environments.
• Counseling and casework management is performed in a group living milieu. This may involve the treatment of emotionally unstable clientele and the danger of physical assault is present.
• Daily face to face contact with adjudicated youth and youth from the Department of Corrections who may exhibit hostile, aggressive or assaultive behavior. This position is expected to enforce rules and to restrain youth during crisis situations.
• May be subject to a hostage situation.
• Employees are subject to recall during facility emergencies.
• May deal with angry and hostile family members and visitors.
• Weekend, holiday, or evening work may be required.
• Stand-by, or on-call duty may be required.
• Travel to other OYA locations or to trainings throughout the state may be required.
• There is potential exposure to communicable diseases. The consistent and effective use of appropriate infection-control materials and techniques is required.

Good To Know Information

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.

Relocation Assistance

OYA is prepared to offer relocation assistance to the successful candidate. This reimbursement package must be requested by the candidate and approved before accepting the position. Approved assistance packages, noted in the offer letter, will be processed as a reimbursement and must follow State of Oregon Department of Administrative Services Policy 40.055.20 which allows for reimbursement of expenses with receipts within the following categories (limits per category) not to exceed $1,500.00:

• Moving of personal household belongings (up to 20,000 lbs.)
• Packing, crating, and unpacking of personal household belongings ($1,500)
• Additional moving charges for full value insurance, appliance blocking charges, extra handling charges ($2,000)
• Private vehicle mileage from old to new residence (two vehicles)
• Miscellaneous Expenses ($5,000)

Pre-employment Checks

In keeping with our mission, OYA will conduct a criminal record check, per OAR 416 Division 800, 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 (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.

Visa Sponsorship

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.

Have Questions?

For questions about the job announcement, email the HR Recruiter at Visualizzare la mail su click.jobroute.io.