Mental Health Associate
This position is eligible for up to $5,000 in recruitment and retention bonuses.
Lane County may cover some or all of your moving expenses.
About the Position
Lane County Youth Services is accepting applications for a Mental Health Associate to join a multi-disciplinary clinical team in proving integrated mental health treatment services to justice involved youth. This position will focus on providing mental health support and skills intervention to justice-involved youth and young adults, ages 10 to 21. It will also assist with the development and implementation of the Lane County Youth Services INSPIRE Program (Innovative Services for Prevention, Intervention, and Educational Support). This full-time position is funded through grant funding in partnership with Youth Development of Oregon and the Lane County Youth Services Division, and will serve as a limited duration position, subject to annual renewal based on continued sustainable funding. This position requires the skills to consider barriers such as mental health and developmental needs as they relate to youth in custody and the community, and their reengagement in the community and education. Day-to-day work includes providing support for youth treatment goals through facilitation of evidence-based skills and crisis support services and community outreach to youth and families receiving diversion services from Lane County Youth Services.
Lane County Youth Services values a positive workplace environment that fosters a growth mindset, resilience, and strong emotional intelligence. We follow Performance-based standards with a focus on data-driven continuous improvement and growth-focused case management. The Division fosters positive youth development and prosocial attitudes and values through evidence-based and innovative treatment practices. This position will work with youth in community and closed-custody settings. The position may require the use of verbal and physical skills to de-escalate volatile situations or response to crisis situations with youth presenting with violent or dysregulated behavior. The work of the division is complex and covers multiple, diverse subject matter areas, governed by multiple regulatory bodies and requiring specialized knowledge. The division is deeply focused on cultivating a positive workplace culture and addressing long standing structural and cultural deficits. If you are driven to serve justice-involved youth and families, this is the career for you!
About the Division
The Lane County Youth Services (LCYS) Detention Unit includes a 10-bed secure intake unit, 16-bed secure stabilization unit, 16-bed secure behavioral-focused unit (for a total of 42 beds) and operates 7-days-a-week, with a 24-hour schedule, serving youth 12-19 years of age. Juvenile Group Workers are responsible for the supervision, safety, security, guidance, and general care of youth in custody.
This position supports youth in custody with opportunities for growth in positive identity and self-regulation, and stabilization of behavior, and provides the supervision and direction of daily activities for youth in custody, including encouraging personal hygiene and providing meals, education services, recreational groups, service plan implementation, competency and skills groups, and leisure activities. Juvenile Group Workers manage complex behaviors and use verbal and physical skills to de-escalate volatile situations and respond to crisis situations which may include physical intervention or restraint of youth with violent or dysregulated behavior. This position follows established procedures and best practices for the safety, security, and daily care of youth pursuant to statute and the Oregon Detention Guidelines.
The Youth Services Division operates 24/7, has approximately 65 full-time staff, six program units, and is located in three different buildings on the John Serbu Youth Campus in Eugene, Oregon. The division is comprised of the following units:
- Administration: Division planning and management, data, grants administration, information systems, and administrative support.
- Juvenile Department: Screening, assessment, diversion, and probation services.
- Detention:10-bed secure intake unit, 16-bed secure stabilization unit, and 16-bed behavioral-focused unit serving youth ages 12-19, including youth being held on adult criminal charges, and health services (medical, dental, mental health, and psychiatric) for youth.
- Clinical Services: Clinical outpatient, closed-custody crisis and stabilization support, psychiatric and MAT support, and youth and family skills support.
- Martin Luther King (MLK) Education Center: A collaboration between the division and Lane Education Service District (Lane ESD). Services provided include alternative school for high-risk, adjudicated, community youth; education for youth in Detention and Phoenix Treatment; horticulture and culinary arts vocational programs; and community service and restitution crews for youth.
- Nutrition Services: Provides approximately 30,000 meals and snacks per year to youth housed in Detention and youth in school and on vocational crews at and through the MLK Education Center.
The work of the division is complex and covers multiple, diverse subject matter areas, governed by multiple regulatory bodies and requiring specialized knowledge. The division is deeply focused on cultivating a positive workplace culture and addressing long standing structural and cultural deficits. If you are driven to improve the lives of justice-involved youth and their families, please join us in this important work.
*Lane County employees may be eligible for student loan repayment: See links below.
Schedule: Schedule will include evenings and weekends. These hours are subject to change based on 24/7 operational needs. Employees are expected to work scheduled overtime and be available for emergency overtime when needed.
*This is an AFSCME represented position*
QUALIFICATIONS:
Training:
- Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited university with major course work in a mental health field, psychology, sociology or a related field.
Or:
Experience:
- At least one year of work experience working directly with mentally or emotionally disturbed clients, and a combination of education, training and/or work experience in a behavioral sciences field that totals two additional years, plus the required competencies.
Or:
- A combination of at least three year's relevant work, education, training or experience, AND have the competencies necessary to a) communicate effectively, b) understand mental health assessment treatment and service terminology and to apply the concepts, and c) provide psychosocial skills development and to implement interventions prescribed on a treatment plan within their scope of practice, is qualifying.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with justice-involved youth is preferred.
Special Requirements:
- Registration as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) through the Mental Health and Additions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) is required within 60 days hire.
- Must possess a valid Oregon Driver’s License, at time of hire, and maintain an acceptable driver's record.
- This position is subject to and must pass a comprehensive federal and state criminal history record check and an Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) background check. If fingerprinting is required, the fee is paid for by the successful candidate and the expense is non-reimbursable.
- Possession of, or obtain within 60 days of hire, a current CPR and Basic First Aid certification.
- Offers of employment are contingent upon consenting to and successfully passing a drug-screening test; negative results are reimbursable.
Studies have shown that women and BIPOC individuals are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The county will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
CLASSIFICATION DETAILS:
Mental Health Associate Classification Details
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Equal Employment Opportunity
Lane County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
Strategic Plan
In alignment with Lane County's Strategic Plan, incumbent(s) will be expected to demonstrate the following core behaviors: Passion to Serve, Driven to Connect, and Focused on Solutions.
The 2022 -2024 Strategic Plan (Download PDF reader) focuses on the areas that Lane County will pursue as a way to deliver on our vision for the residents of Lane County. To meet these challenges, we know that the basis of our efforts lies in leveraging our people and partnerships to achieve our Strategic Priorities. We also recognize that the quality and commitment of our staff is essential to a shared future where Lane County is the best place in which to live, work, and play.
Veteran Preference Information
Trauma Informed Care Statement
Lane County Health & Human Services is committed to providing Trauma Informed Care. As an organization, we recognize that many of the people we serve have experienced trauma, either currently, recently or in their past. Our agency is dedicated to incorporating an understanding of trauma, both with our clients and with each other. Our employees receive ongoing training to develop or deepen their understanding of trauma and its impacts.