2025 Behavioral Health Specialist II, Graduate Intern

Job Description:

2025 Behavioral Health Specialist II, Graduate Intern

Description

Summary

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

Deschutes County Health Services supports over 400 staff in Behavioral and Public Health programs working to promote and protect the health and safety of the community in a broad variety of community based settings.

Deschutes County Behavioral Health (DCBH) is the Community Mental Health Program providing safety net and core clinical services for community members in Deschutes County dealing with mental health and substance use conditions. DCBH is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). As such, DCBH relies on multi-disciplinary teams to provide innovative, evidence based, recovery oriented services in behavioral healthcare settings co-located with physical health providers.

To hear from staff about working at Deschutes County Behavioral Health, please click HERE.

ABOUT THE COUNTY:

We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.

ABOUT THE JOB:
Behavioral Health internship opportunities are available to students who are enrolled in a qualifying Masters Degree program (Counseling, Social Work, Mental Health related) and are completing internship as part of their Masters Degree program.

Our paid internship program requires working between 16 to 22 hours per week for a minimum 9 month commitment to internship.

Under general administrative and clinical supervision, provides professional behavioral health services as a QMHP to decrease the impact of mental and emotional disturbances to clients. Performs assessment, treatment protocols, case management, crisis intervention, and community outreach services to clients and their families.

This position will be located in Bend, Redmond and La Pine.

Key Responsibilities provided under clinical supervision:

• Provides behavioral health services in the area of behavioral management and health, works independently, may manage a small caseload of clients, provide assessments (crisis and/or behavioral health), and monitors treatments and interventions in accordance with regulations and protocols.
• Counsels, evaluates, assesses, diagnoses, treats, and monitors multiple clients delivering professional behavioral health care; conducts small programs, group therapy, and individual therapy.
• Establishes client relationships, determines service needs, makes referrals when needed, and coordinates or obtains care with other agencies, and other coordination of care as needed.
• Applies a broad range of therapeutic supports to individuals, families, and groups. Directs the provision and development of treatment services.
• Performs crisis intervention, assessment, and evaluation; may be required to provide after hour duties and care in support of the department’s emergency capability and requirements.
• Organizes, coordinates, and occasionally audits client behavioral health medical records; understands, interprets and applies established policies, procedures, and protocols including division approved auditing standards.
• Completes thorough and timely documentation of treatment services that complies with all Department policies and procedures.
• Working as part of a multi disciplinary team, participation in team meetings and consultations, coordination with team members, and assisting with coverage when needed.
• Monitors service hour goal.
• Participates in weekly clinical supervision.
• Performs other duties as business needs necessitate.

What You Will Bring:

Knowledge of, training in or experience with:

• Psychological, sociological, and psychiatric theory.
• Federal, state and county laws, codes, rules, and regulations governing public health.
• Human relations, assessment, counseling, and writing skills.
• Community behavioral health and addictions concepts, case management, and treatment services.
• Client assessment, treatment planning, and diagnostic classifications.
• Customer service and community outreach.
• Applicable federal, state and local compliance laws and statutes.

Skill in and/or training:

• Applying theory in behavior health and addictions diagnosis, and the planning of intervention and services.
• Preparing documentation, treatment plans, and reporting on progress of multiple cases.
• Managing and assuring compliance to information management and client confidentiality requirements.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple clients, cases, and demands.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, professional agencies, and community members.
• Effective in verbal and written communication.

*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.

Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.

Review the full job description by clicking HERE.

Compensation

$29.2765 to $39.2332 per hour. There are no County benefits available with this position. This position is available when internship begins.

Paid internships are considered as limited-duration employment position as defined by Deschutes County HR Personnel Rules 2.010. The position has identified funding through June 30, 2026. Extending the position beyond June 30, 2026 will depend on a continued business need for the position and approval of additional funding. Should this occur, the County may at a later date extend the position end date or offer regular employment status to the incumbent in this position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science’s field;
• OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Applicant must be currently enrolled in a behavioral science’s field qualifying graduate program.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.

NOTE: Per OAR 407-007-0000 to 407-007-0100 (Download PDF reader) this position requires a Criminal Background check through the State Background Check Unit/Orchards, which may also include being fingerprinted. These rules provide for the reasonable screening under ORS 181A.195, 181A.200, 409.027 AND 413.036 of the County’s employees to determine if they have a history of specific criminal behavior identified in federal or state law or rules such that they should not be allowed to work, be employed, or perform in positions covered by these rules. Please click HERE (Download PDF reader) to review Criminal Records Check Rules. All offers of employment for this position are contingent upon the candidate receiving final approval from the State Background Check Unit/Orchards to work in this position.
Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule when necessary, to meet client and department needs.

There are no benefits offered with this position.

Closing Date/Time: 4/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$29.28 - $39.23 Hourly