CLOSE DATE

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Please Note: The application deadline may be extended to expand the pool of qualified candidates. Any recruitment timeline changes will be communicated to all who have initiated an application process or have submitted an application.

COMPENSATION

Annual Pay Range: $ 100,603.28 - $ 127,681.36

Hourly Pay Range: $ 48.366961 - $ 61.385268

• Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.
• There is an additional 5% compensation for bilingual skills. Fluency in English/Spanish is required for this position.

JOB DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Clackamas County's Health Centers - Behavioral Health Clinics is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Specialist 3 (MHS3) to join our team. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing advanced behavioral health services to children, adolescents, teenagers, and their families while supporting the development of behavioral health staff and promoting coordinated, high-quality care.

The Mental Health Specialist 3 provides advanced behavioral health services primarily to a pediatric population, including young children, adolescents, teenagers, and their families/caregivers. Services include comprehensive assessment and diagnosis, individual and family therapy, crisis intervention, treatment planning, case management, and ongoing evaluation of client needs and progress.

The MHS3 coordinates with internal medical and behavioral health providers, as well as external partners, as needed to best meet the needs of clients, parents/caregivers, and community partners. The position works collaboratively with medical providers, school personnel, behavioral health staff, families, and community organizations to provide integrated, developmentally appropriate, and responsive behavioral health care.

The position is primarily based at Gladstone Primary Care Health Clinic and may provide services at other pediatric clinic locations, including School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs). Because services may be provided across multiple locations, the work location will vary and may require travel to Health Center and school-based sites throughout Clackamas County. Successful candidates must have experience and knowledge specifically working with pediatric populations in clinical settings, with experience in school-based settings highly valued.

In addition to providing direct clinical services, the MHS3 provides direct clinical supervision to treatment staff, including licensed and master's-level clinicians, and provides clinical consultation, training, case review, work direction, and guidance on complex clinical and procedural issues. The position supports staff development and promotes consistent, high-quality clinical practices across the program.

The person in this position must be fluent in both English and Spanish and meet the requirements of a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule and the minimum qualification requirements below.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• A minimum of three (3) years of related experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of this position
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as established by the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board of Oregon (MHACBO) and/or State of Oregon licensing board
• Current licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Experience providing clinical mental/behavioral health services to children and/or adolescents and their families/caregivers
• Clinical mental health experience working in pediatric primary care, integrated behavioral health, and School-Based Health Center settings
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills sufficient to provide behavioral health services directly to Spanish speaking clients and families
• Must possess and maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Experience providing behavioral health services specifically to young children, adolescents, and teenagers across all the different developmental stages
• Experience providing family-centered therapy and engaging parents/caregivers as part of treatment
• Experience providing clinical mental/behavioral health services within schools or collaborating closely with school administrators, counselors, teachers, and other school personnel

Pre-Employment Requirements:*

• Must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. Learn more about the County's drug testing policy .
• Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check
• Driving is necessary for County business. For position(s) with occasional/incidental driving, incumbents must possess a valid driver's license. Accommodation requests for an acceptable alternative method of transportation will be reviewed on an individual basis in compliance with State and Federal legislation. For position(s) with regular driving, incumbent(s) must also possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County's driving policy

*For Veterans qualified for Veteran's Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If selected as a final candidate, you will be required to submit all State Professional Licenses/Certificates, DEA, National Board Certifications, Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), BLS and/or ACLS level CPR, and degrees (as applicable). Credentialing and Provider Enrollment processes will be completed prior to hire with the help of our Health Centers Credentialing team.

This position will require possession of a current certification as a Qualified Medical Health Professional (QMHP) by having the minimum education requirements as established by the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board of Oregon (MHACBO) and State of Oregon.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Leadership & Supervision: Complete tasks delegated directly from the supervisor. Provide leadership to the Access team, supporting access staff, clinicians, case managers, peer support, and managers.
• Training & Documentation: Train new staff in the intake/assessment process and clinical documentation requirements. Train staff on updates to electronic health records related to intake/assessments.
• Coordination & Access: Participate in meetings with supervisors to discuss access, trends of clients being assessed, and therapist caseloads and availability to ensure clients are seen appropriately and assessments are accurate.
• Consultation & Client Support: Act as the point person for clinicians, providing consultation for therapists needing diagnosis clarification, including clients in drug and alcohol treatment and those from marginalized communities.
• Peer Review: Participate in peer review meetings with a multidisciplinary team to discuss complex clinical cases.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Participate in the Cultural Responsive Committee.
• Clinical Assessment: Conduct in-depth clinical assessments for clients needing mental health or substance use treatment.
• Direct Client Services: Provide clinical services to assigned clients. Complete timely documentation, attend supervision, and respond to crises when they arise.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health - Advanced understanding of the developmental, behavioral, and mental health needs of young children, adolescents, teenagers, and their families.
• Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis - Conducts comprehensive mental health and substance use assessments, determines diagnoses, evaluates risk, and identifies appropriate levels of care.
• Child & Family Treatment - Develops individualized treatment plans and provides developmentally appropriate, evidence-based individual and family interventions.
• Crisis Intervention & Risk Management - Effectively assesses and responds to behavioral health crises, safety concerns, and other urgent clinical needs.
• Integrated & School-Based Care - Works effectively within pediatric healthcare and school-based environments, collaborating with medical providers, school personnel, and other professionals.
• Clinical Leadership - Provides clinical consultation, staff training, case review, work direction, and support to behavioral health team members.
• Care Coordination & Community Collaboration - Coordinates services across families, schools, healthcare providers, behavioral health programs, and community resources.
• Adaptability & Countywide Service Delivery - Effectively provides services across multiple clinical and School-Based Health Center locations and adapts to the needs of different sites and populations.
• Culturally & Linguistically Responsive Care - Provides culturally responsive behavioral health services and effectively serves Spanish-speaking children and families.
• Clinical Documentation & Communication - Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation and communicates effectively with clients, families, colleagues, and partner organizations.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is included in the County's alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off). Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework and based on the Department's business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents work with varied socioeconomic groups, the mentally ill, the developmentally disabled, alcoholic and substance abusing clients and their families.

BENEFITS INFORMATION

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle.

Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee's date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 12 hours of vacation accrued per month
  • Eligible newly hired employees will have the one-time option to frontload their first year of vacation accruals! This means you have access to vacation time at time of hire.
• 8 hours of sick accrued per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
  • Employer paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee's share of the retirement contribution.)
  • OPSRP members get vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Longevity pay
• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see link below for additional information)

This is a full time County position represented by the Employees' Association.

Learn More About Benefits