Mental Health Specialist

Mental Health Specialist II – Bilingual (English/Spanish)The Mental Health Specialist II – Bilingual (English/Spanish) position provides clinical services to Spanish speaking adults in custody in the Washington County Jail. You will support them by providing individual and group counseling. In addition to clinical work, a large part of the position will be providing case management for adults in custody transitioning into the community or to treatment.Ideal Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):Perform in-depth assessments of individuals with mental health needs and develop treatment plansProvide a variety of counseling methods, including group counselingCaseload managementUse personal computers and a variety of communication toolsMaintain accurate and complete recordsEstablish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals and groups who come from diverse backgrounds and represent members of the public, coworkers, and/or vendorsAbility to work safely and effectively, according to jail policies, within a secure correctional facilityMinimum QualificationsEducation and Experience:Possession of a Masters Degree in clinical social work, psychology, counseling or other closely related field; ANDTwo (2) years of professional work experience in counseling OR Successful completion of master level internship with WSCO Jail Programs;This position requires bilingual knowledge skills and abilities to include knowledge of the language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; skill in writing accurately; and the ability to speak fluently and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.Additional Requirements:Selected Finalist must be able to pass an oral and written Spanish language test.Selected finalist must be able to pass a post-offer drug screen and psychological evaluation.Background Investigation: The selected finalist(s) for this position must be able to pass a thorough background investigation conducted by the Sheriff's Office. The background Investigation for this position typically takes 6-8 weeks to complete, so you will want to plan accordingly. The information that will be required when you complete the Personal History Statement includes, but is not limited to:Employment Information (past 10 years or back to age 17; 3 coworkers will be requested from each past employer)Residential Information (past 10 years or back to age 17)Financial InformationReferences (6 without using the same people as coworkers or supervisor references)Family Member InformationDriving HistoryPast/Present Drug Use and/or Controlled SubstancesCriminal HistoryAbout the Department/Division:The Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is a full-service law enforcement agency located in Hillsboro, Oregon, serving the county's urban and rural residents. WCSO enhances public safety by fostering professionalism, compassion, and trust within its team and the communities it serves. WCSO is the primary first responder for unincorporated residents, offering services from routine patrol and crime investigation to specialized teams. The WCSO also operates the county's only jail and provides contract services to cities within the county.Jail Programs is a department located inside the Washington County Jail – dedicated to providing services to support adults in custody in preparing for a productive future. We offer cognitive restructuring classes, individual counseling, a GED and High School credit recovery program, employment support, assistance with housing when possible, and help with transitioning to treatment when appropriate.Jail Program Mission statement: Believing that our clients are each unique and deserving, our mission is to prepare them by providing guidance, education and workforce development in a safe and accepting environment where they can begin taking meaningful first steps into a more productive life.