Mental Health Associate

Mental Health AssociateLane County Youth Services is accepting applications for a Mental Health Associate to join a multi-disciplinary clinical team in providing 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 in the 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 Lane County Youth Services.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!The Youth Services Division operates 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, and 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.Lane County employees may be eligible for student loan repayment:Public Service Loan ForgivenessNational Health Service CorpsSchedule will include weekends and non-traditional business hours. 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 positionQualificationsTraining: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 Requirements: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.Possession of, or obtain within 60 days of hire, a current CPR and Basic First Aid certification.This position is subject to a full criminal offender information record check and ODHS ORCHARDS background check.Offers of employment are contingent upon consenting to, and successfully passing, a drug screening test.Please note that as part of the screening process Lane County will verify license and certification status.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.BenefitsCareers with Lane County Offer Extraordinary BenefitsAt Lane County, we value our employees and we show it with our extraordinary benefits. We know that you chose public service for more than a paycheck, and our outstanding benefits are designed to help you Live Well, Live Lane - throughout your career. Read on to learn what great benefits await you in a career with Lane County.Benefits to keep you & your family well - PhysicallyHealth insurance coverage becomes effective the first of the month following your first 30-days as an eligible employee. Lane County offers medical, prescription and vision exam coverage for you and your eligible dependents. The plan options and costs per month for 2026 are outlined below:If you enroll in the HDHP the County will contribute to your HSA:For eligible members of unions LCPOA, 626, Admin Pro, and AFSCME Physicians $1,700 for individual coverage and $3,400 for family coverage.For eligible members of unions AFSCME General, AFSCME Nurses, FOPPO, PAA, and non-represented employees $1,600 for individual coverage and $3,200 for family coverage. Those who complete the requirements to receive the Live Well Credit by November 30, 2026, will receive an additional contribution of $400 individual or $800 family, funded in 2027.These amounts are prorated based on date of hire. All eligible employees who complete a Health History Risk Assessment (HHRA), Biometric Screening, and Comprehensive Health Review (CHR) at the Live Well Center receive a $20 per month credit. The Live Well Center is for Lane County benefits-eligible employees, spouses and dependents (ages 2 and up) who are enrolled in the Lane County health plan. Marathon Health manages the Live Well Center and their clinical team provides confidential, affordable care for your acute and preventive healthcare needs. The Live Well Center also provides health coaching, chronic disease counseling, comprehensive primary care services, and much more. Lane County provides dental coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. Lane County provides this counseling and concierge service to employees and members of their immediate households. Lane County provides employees with a free membership to a local fitness center.Benefits to keep you & your family well - FinanciallyRetirement - Lane County pays for and enrolls employees in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) and the Individual Account Program (IAP) following six full months of employment. Disability - Lane County provides Long-Term Disability coverage. Lane County complies with all State and Federal disability laws for employee, family, parental and pregnancy leaves regulations. Time Management - Lane County provides employees with a generous bank of hours to be used for sick, vacation, family emergencies