Initial Posting Date:
05/20/2026
Application Deadline:
/
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range:
$4,519.00 - $5,712.00
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Direct Support Crisis Specialist - Portland area
Job Description:
The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by ourEquity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
Salary Note: The pay listed on this job posting is the base monthly salary range for full-time work. The salary for employees working other than full time will vary based on the hours worked. Hourly salary range is: $26.07 - $32.95.
We have residential group homes in the Portland area, Salem area, Newberg/Brooks area, Lebanon, and Eugene. We encourage you to apply to each location's job posting that you are willing to work.
Opportunity awaits! Are you ready to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities, often with co-occurring mental health diagnoses? Do you have paid or unpaid caregiving experience or experience volunteering with seniors, children, or people with disabilities? Would you like to work in a diverse and supportive team environment? Then, come #JoinTeamSACU!
The Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU) is looking to fill permanent, full-time, Direct Support Crisis Specialist openings as they occur in our residential group homes located in the Portland area.
This job posting is open until further notice. We will review applications every two weeks. Please apply now as we could close this job posting at any time.
This is an ongoing selection process, and we will be scheduling interviews throughout the process.
You may be offered a job for any of the following shifts depending on what openings are available at that time: days, evenings, nights, weekends, vacation relief, or other various shifts.
Shift definitions:Day shift is a set schedule from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 days in a row, with 2 days off.
Evening shift is a set schedule from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., 5 days in a row, with 2 days off.
Night shift is a set schedule from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., 4 days in a row, with 3 days off.
Vacation Relief shift has varied hours, shifts, and days off. Vacation Relief (VR) will not be scheduled for more than 8-hours unless filling in for a 10-hour shift, a 13 hour and 20-minute shift, a 16-hour shift, or unless mutually agreed with management. Every good faith effort shall be made to allow 10 hours between shifts. VR may waive this obligation.
Float Pool shift consists of 8-hour shifts unless mutually agreed upon with management to work other shifts (i.e., a 16-hour shift, a 13-hour and 20-minute shift, 4 - 10-hour shifts, etc.). Schedules will be set for periods of 30 days at a time, location of shift within the island will vary depending on the need for staffing. An island consists of 2 to 4 houses.
Employees will be notified of a shift change 10 days in advance when possible but in no instances shall employees be given less than a 7-day notice unless mutually agreed upon.
Float Pool Staff shall receive an additional 10% above their base pay for the duration of the assignment.
Float Pool Staff will be considered for working at another location (portability) within the island first even if they are working an overtime shift.
Summary of DutiesAs an employee working within the Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU), you will be a part of a program that provides 24-hour residential care to Oregonians with intellectual/developmental disabilities, often with co-occurring mental health diagnoses, whose support needs exceed the supports offered or provided by other community-based residential programs. SACU provides development and support to assist individuals in safely transitioning back to their home community. We model positive attitudes while offering assistance with access to: health and medical supports, psychological services, emotional and behavioral support, educational supports. SACU staff also provide life skills training, recreational opportunities and community integration. SACU is dedicated to providing the support necessary to maintain the quality of life, achieve the highest possible level of independence and promote social opportunities, which benefit the individuals served and their communities.
We operate 17 residential group homes along the I-5 corridor from Portland to Eugene.
As a Direct Support Crisis Specialist, you will:
Provide direct care and/or support in a 24-hour, 7 days per week residential group home to children and adults in behavioral supports, safety, personal care, nutrition, housekeeping, health care, and other daily activities within the home and the community.
Assist individuals with activities of daily living and hygiene needs which may include personal care, bathing, toileting, and feeding.
Minimum Qualifications A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.
Eighteen months of experience providing direct individual care or training in a related field of human services (i.e., providing assistance to supported individuals or groups with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental and physical disabilities, or substance abuse).
OR
An Associate or higher-level degree in a related human services field.
OR
A combination of education and experience as defined above.
Experience Note: Your paid or unpaid caregiving experience or experience volunteering with seniors, children, or people with disabilities may help you to meet the qualifications for these positions. This experience may include making and attending medical or psychiatric appointments, medication assistance, assisting with daily personal care, assisting with activities of daily living, such as: personal or grocery shopping, doing housework, cooking, and providing transportation, etc.
Please include all paid and unpaid caregiving experience in the job history portion of your application or as work experience on your resume.
For unpaid experience, please include whether the experience is as a volunteer (working for an organization such as ARC, care facility, community action group, etc.) or is lived experience (taking care of a family member, neighbor, etc.). Lived experience may substitute for up to 6 months of the required experience.
Essential AttributesWe are looking for candidates with:
Experience using computers, tablets, and cell phones for documenting, reporting, and communicating information (e.g., Internet, Microsoft Office applications, Therap, etc.).
Experience monitoring and/or assisting individuals who experience mental, emotional, behavior, physical or medical challenges.
Attention all candidates! Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.
Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Please make sure your application materials, resume and job history, are clearly outlined as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range. Note: Your resume may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.
The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.
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.
Immediately after you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans' preference. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
Working Conditions Expect work hours and shifts in this position to include any shift, including weekends, nights, and holidays depending on your assigned work schedule.
There is frequent daily lifting up to 75 pounds involving transferring, positioning and moving individuals and/or moving program supplies. You will frequently squat, bend, and stoop.
Background Checks and Requirements The Oregon Department of Human Services 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. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
Your driving record must meet the qualifications of the ODHS SACU Driving Policy and will be considered unacceptable for offenses, including, but not limited to any misdemeanor or felony traffic offense in the last 24 months.
If you are offered a position, you will attend a three-week paid in-person training at our central office in Salem and you must become certified during this New Employee Orientation in the following:
Oregon Intervention System Certification (OIS) - Requiring you to physically hold an individual for safety while maintaining an approved restraint on clients which may involve quick movements, changes in physical positioning, and verbal communication with coworkers.
Medication Administration Certification - Requiring you to demonstrate competency in completing doctor's orders, appropriate passing of medications to clients, appropriate documentation, and appropriate procedures for emergencies.
Benefits