09/30/2026
10/14/2026
Department of Corrections
$7,541 - $9,986
Employee
Behavior Health Specialist 2, Qualified Mental Health Professional (Salem)
Oregon Department of Corrections
The Oregon Department of Corrections is looking for a Qualified Mental Health Professional in one of our mental health special housing units, the Behavioral Health Unit at OSP. This exciting employment opportunity exists within the Oregon State Penitentiary located in Oregon, Oregon. The Behavioral Health Services has a multidisciplinary team that works hard to bring innovative and creative experiences to the clients in their care, and to provide compassionate and individualized treatment.
This position identifies, according to specific criteria, all mentally ill and developmentally disabled (DD) AICs within the institution, coordinates regular contact with AICs to conduct mental status examinations, conducts suicide assessments, develops treatment interventions, behavior plans and risk management plans, and provides crisis services.
What’s in it for you?
DOC employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic employee life coverage through the Public Employees' Benefit Board (PEBB) and retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Paid vacation leave and sick leave are accrued monthly and wage increases are awarded in accordance with the applicable labor contract.
Additional applicable incentives:
This position is represented by Association of Oregon Corrections Employees, (AOCE). This position may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute.
Note: Some positions may require qualification as a QMHP (Qualified Mental Health Professional).
The equivalent of one year of full-time experience (1,920 hours), which may include applicable
internships, of the experience which demonstrates the competencies noted in the Qualifications and Required Skills sections.
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you are a Qualified Mental Health Professional at the time of hire.
NOTE: To be qualified as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (OAR 309-032-0450(26)) you must have:
This full-time position is in Salem at the Oregon State Penitentiary in one of our mental health special housing units. You will work in close contact with adults in custody in the institution setting and may be exposed to hostile situations or incidents. May be exposed to chemicals, radiation, communicable disease, or other hazards inherent in a health care facility and correctional setting. You will perform work inside a 24/7 facility, shifts may vary to include early shifts, late shifts, and weekends. You will have contact with adults in custody during treatment/consultation, at times out of visual range of security staff. You will be exposed to adults in custody that may become physically and/or verbally abusive and requires vigilance and awareness.
The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for over 12,000 adults in custody in 12 state prisons throughout Oregon. It advises and evaluates counties regarding administration of probation and parole programs supervising more than 24,000 offenders in Oregon communities. The mission is to protect communities, promote accountability, and transform lives.
The Oregon Department of Corrections serves a diverse and changing population of people who are incarcerated and on supervision. We commit to creating an organization both reflecting the diversity of the population we serve and ensuring all employees thrive in a culture of safety, trust, and belonging. We strive to be an anti-racist corrections system. Welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all people. Free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
The Department offers a variety of programs and opportunity to create a safe and healthy environment to for our staff, volunteers, and adults in custody. Joining the Oregon Department of Corrections is joining a team working for the benefit of our communities through innovative and proven correctional practices.
The salary range listed above is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range to reflect an additional 6.95%.
The State of Oregon provides a generous benefit package, which includes:
The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant. CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer. If you have questions about whether or not your criminal record could disqualify for you, please contact the recruiter for more information.
Additional Information – Please monitor your Workday and email accounts. You may be contacted through Workday or have additional tasks to complete.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDI&B) is embedded in the Department of Corrections core values. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Ensuring legal compliance, efficiency, and exceeding expectations to deliver the best public services.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. Additional information can be found from The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Know Your Rights.
The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for complying with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA 42 U.S.C. 1997). PREA prohibits the Oregon Department of Corrections from hiring, promoting, or contracting with anyone, (that will have direct contact with residents), who has engaged in, been convicted of, or been civilly or administratively adjudicated for engaging in sexual abuse in confinement settings. Learn more about PREA.
Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. Please note – if you are a veteran, you will receive a task in Workday to upload your documents immediately after you submit your initial application. You will have up until 24 hours after the posted application deadline to submit the appropriate documentation.
The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
If you have questions about the position, selection process, or need accommodations to participate in the recruitment process please contact the recruiter and reference the requisition number.
Recruiter: Kelli Ketchum, Kelli.L.Ketchum@doc.oregon.gov
Reference Number: Req-207640
Official LinkedIn page for the state of Oregon. Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern boundaries, respectively. The area was inhabited by many indigenous tribes before the arrival of traders, explorers, and settlers who formed an autonomous government in Oregon Country in 1843. The Oregon Territory was created in 1848, and Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859.
