Salary: $26.82 - $35.91 Hourly
Location : Salem, OR
Job Type: Part-Time Relief/On-Call
Job Number: T551-2026-2
Department: Health and Human Services
Division: HHS - BH - Acute and Forensic Diversion Svcs
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Closing Date: 8/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 06
Marion County requires on-site work. Remote work is not available.
The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is looking for team-oriented individuals that like to work with individuals in the surrounding communities. This position is perfect for someone that is currently in school, has another part-time job, and/or is just getting started in the mental health field. You have the freedom to choose shifts that work for your schedule. We are searching for motivated Mental Health Associates to join our team with Marion County Health and Human Services. This position is primarily based at our Salem location but may be requested to go to our Woodburn office. This position will work with a team of qualified QMHA's, Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs), and supervisors. You will work closely with individuals from the surrounding counties to provide individual skills training, case management, and activity therapies that are identified by a QMHP. If you are motivated to help others and are a team player, we encourage you to apply now!
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Provides individual and group recreational, social and skills training services under a professionally developed service plan; keeps records of persons served status; performs service plan directed case management functions under close supervision; performs related duties as required. Primary responsibility of this class is to assist and support other mental health professionals, without primary responsibility for a caseload.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under close supervision of a supervisor who assigns work, establishes goals, and reviews the results obtained for overall effectiveness.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision of others is not a responsibility of positions in this classification.
Typical Duties - Duties include, but are not limited to the following
- Assist individuals in services at the Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC) to follow the crisis treatment plan created by the Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP). Provide one-on-one skills training to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, as needed per QMHP. This includes teaching relaxation techniques, crisis intervention skills, assisting individuals with phone calls, or other skills the QMHP deems appropriate in the community setting.
- Drive individuals in services for appointments, emergency medications, food boxes, or other locations as directed by the QMHP. Driving is required for this position.
- Provide medication monitoring/support and document on medication sheet in accordance with Physician/PMHNP orders and Marion County Health and Human Services policies and procedures.
- Provide daily check-ins with individuals in the respite apartments or the respite home providers each day the individual is in respite.
- Clean respite apartments and vehicles as needed.
- Take laundry to the cleaners as needed and disperse as necessary once returned clean.
- Provide back up to BHCC staff in answering the phones; greet and initiate beginning paperwork for individuals who present at BHCC.
- Monitor and clean up the lobby as needed.
- Provide services in a variety of settings including the office, hospitals, carceral facilities, and in the community where the individual is located while adhering to the Mobile Crisis Intervention Services training schedule as required for all staff.
- Attend monthly individual supervision meeting with Clinical Supervisor.
- Attend mandated trainings as assigned.
- Perform other job duties as assigned by your supervisor.
Response Level 2: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100 and 700 on-line or in-person training.
Requirements for the Position
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
- Three years relevant work experience in a behavioral health services field; OR
- Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field; OR
- Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess a current Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) Qualified Mental Health Associate certification (QMHA) or register within ninety (90) days of hire, and complete in accordance with MHACBO guidelines. See MHACBO website for requirements.
- This position may be subject to the following: Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).
- Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at:
- The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
- This is a safety sensitive/special needs position. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy can be found at:
- This assignment is represented by a union.
- This is a part-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
- Work Schedule: Varies with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Working knowledge of the general concepts of mental health (including common symptoms for major behavioral health conditions) and chemical dependency as well as community resources; de-escalation, crisis intervention, and engagement strategies; strengths-based resiliency and recovery models; definitions of basic- and community-living skills; measurable goals/outcomes of mental health recovery, substance use disorders recovery, and co-occurring disorders recovery; evidence-based strategies for skills training and improving overall health; daily living activities that promote health and wellness.
Ability to demonstrate active listening skills and interviewing techniques; establish effective working relationships with diverse individuals and foster shared decision-making with behavioral health consumers, family members, and providers; clearly convey information about behavioral and general health; exercise cultural and trauma-informed competency when linking to resources; follow directions and accept feedback in a professional manner; prepare reports and document services provided to persons served in a timely and professional manner with clarity, conciseness, and completeness; work within an interdisciplinary team; practice appropriate boundaries with consumers; recognize unsafe situations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSOperates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; must be able to drive at night; stands; sits; moves about the work area; climbs 1 floor of stairs; crawls on hand and knees; reaches overhead; lifts up to 15 lbs.; pushes, pulls, carries, and moves carts up to 10 lbs.; operates a keyboard; speaks clearly and audibly; reads a 12 pt. font; hears a whispered level of speech; may work in areas exposed to heat, cold, dust, noise, smoke and household chemicals such as bleach or cleansers while in client homes; works in areas that may be wet or uneven.
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Student Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your student loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.
VISA SPONSORSHIP
Marion County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Marion County is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE
Applicants are eligible to use Veterans' Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235 and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE
- One of the following:
- MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR
- Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR
- Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.
- In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:
- A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR
- Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.
You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at
Marion County is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.
Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation, through Human Resources, in any step of the process to assist them in demonstrating their qualifications to perform the duties of the position for which they are applying. Please e-mail if you wish to request an accommodation.
Marion County offers a generous benefits package to regular employees working 50% or more of the regularly scheduled work week and their eligible dependents. Temporary employees and part-time regular employees working less than 50% of the regularly scheduled work week are not eligible for benefits.
Most regular positions in this classification are represented by Marion County Employees Association (MCEA). For a summary of benefits, For a complete and detailed overview of the MCEA benefits package, , and select MCEA Benefits from the left menu or Marion County Employees Association (MCEA) from the page links. Regular and temporary employees are represented by MCEA.
Salary and benefits are subject to union contract negotiations and may change as a result.
01
To receive credit for your supplemental questions, your answers must be supported by details in the education and/or work experience section of your application form. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer. Do you understand this statement?
02
Are you, or have you been, credentialed by the Mental Health & Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA)?
03
Indicate how many years of full-time work experience you have working with adults with serious & persistent mental illness (i.e., Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, etc.). (One year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours.)
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
- None of the above
04
Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.
05
Indicate how many years of full-time work experience you have working with adults with substance use disorders. (One year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours.)
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
- None of the above
06
Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.
Required Question
