Multnomah County is hiring: Mental Health Consultant, KSA - Black/African Americ

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range: $ - $ Hourly

Department: Department of Community Justice (DCJ)

Job Type: Regular Represented

Exemption Status: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date: October 15, 2025

The Opportunity: THIS WORK MATTERS!

Are you a Qualified Mental Health Professional with affiliation / membership and demonstrated work experience serving the Black / African American community?

Are you an experienced mental health counselor who is passionate about helping troubled youth turn their lives around and create a better future?

Are you optimistic about Black / African American youth, parents, and family potential to make positive changes?

The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) is seeking a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) with specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) to work with the Black / African American community as a Mental Health Consultant in the Cultural Responsivity Team. This role must identify with specific experiences of the Black / African American community to ensure culturally relevant mental health services, prevention support, and care coordination.

The juvenile justice system in Multnomah County is a national leader in developing programs and services that reduce recidivism and racial/ethnic disparities. Juvenile Services staff screen cases, prepare reports for courts, supervise youth on probation, and collaborate with community organizations to maximize effective services and positive outcomes.

This vital Mental Health Consultant directly supports youth and families primarily from the Black / African American community. The position delivers crucial short‑term treatment interventions to stabilize family dynamics and provides comprehensive case management, including connecting families to community‑based organizations for long‑term care. Key activities include facilitating family meetings, conducting individual sessions, performing thorough mental health assessments, and developing informed treatment recommendations. The role conducts work both in the office and through field engagements such as home visits and other safe, family‑preferred locations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Engagement, Assessment, and Treatment: Complete comprehensive mental health assessments using GAIN, develop safety and service plans, provide direct treatment services (individual, family, group therapy, psychological education, case management), apply substance use disorder knowledge, perform managed care assessments, and document detailed clinical notes. Understand cultural, racial, and ethnic factors, specifically within the African American community, to engage, assess, and treat.
• Community Outreach and Support: Assist with outreach to community entities, share referral information, manage contracted services as a mandatory reporter under OARS and ORS, mediate conflicts, research and advocate for funding, challenge systemic racism, connect clients to behavioral health services, and collaborate on outreach to African American clients and families facing barriers.
• Documentation: Document all clinical assessments, service plans, notes, outcome measures, fidelity measures, and required forms in accordance with HIPAA, OAR compliance, and other programmatic standards. Complete administrative data collection, supervise and attend meetings, and provide professional training for development, credentialing, and maintaining professional standards.

Key Qualifications & Attributes

• Communication, Emotional Intelligence, and Integrity: Exercise good judgment, diplomacy, and tact in handling sensitive, complex, and confidential information; act professionally and empathically with individuals and partners.
• Strategic Planning & Leadership: Develop goals and direction based on the county/department mission and vision to increase community safety.
• Results Through People: Motivate and inspire growth and productivity.
• Relationships & Community: Build positive and sustainable relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Leading Cross‑Culturally: Foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued.
• Team Building: Inspire and foster collaborative teamwork.
• Organizational Savviness: Demonstrate understanding of organizational culture and interpersonal relationships to identify opportunities for mutual benefit.
• Delivery & Outcomes: Ensure services are provided by quality processes and achieve quality outcomes for individuals, the organization, and the county.
• Personal Development: Demonstrate willingness for continuous improvement.
• Functional / Technical: Possess specific knowledge about laws, regulations, certifications, licensure, and skills required for assignment.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education / Certification: Master’s degree in a mental health field (e.g., psychology, social work, behavioral science) from an accredited institution. Must qualify for QMHP-I or II certification as required.
• Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to demonstrate specific experience working directly with Black / African American individuals and families.
• Required Certifications & Licenses: Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP-I or II) certification; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) before hire or within probationary period; GAIN Administration Certification.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Pass a thorough background investigation (fingerprinting, criminal, civil, driving, military, educational, employment history).

Preferred Qualifications & Transferable Skills

• Two (2) years or more of mental health case management experience within the Black / African American community.
• Attained GAIN Administration Certification.
• Experience administering the GAIN assessment.
• Experience providing family therapy, mental health treatment, and addiction treatment to adolescents.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques for individuals with chronic mental health and addiction disorders; clinical triage; crisis interface with community emergency management systems.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive community mental health providers and ability to refer clients.
• Experience with crisis intervention, risk assessment of clients who may be involved in potentially life‑threatening situations.
• Working knowledge of childhood and adolescent development, juvenile justice system, juvenile probation, strength‑based clinical interventions for delinquency, and restorative justice principles.
• Transferable skills: Any skills gained through education, work experience (including military), or life experience relevant to this position. Describe how they apply.

Application & Screening Requirements

Submit all required items: Online application, resume (optional but recommended), cover letter (required) addressing experience working with diverse vulnerable populations, qualification statement, and interest in the position.

Certification and License: Attach copy of QMHP Certification and, if applicable, Oregon licensure (CSW, LPC, MFT) and GAIN Administration Certification.

Initial review of minimum qualifications will be conducted. Selected candidates will be evaluated through oral exam and candidate interviews.

Background investigation will be required.

Equal Pay & Additional Information

Pay range is indicative. Compensation determined per Oregon Equal Pay Law.

Position is hourly, eligible for overtime. Non‑Exempt. Full‑time 40 hours per week Monday–Friday.

Location: Juvenile Justice Complex, 1401 NE 68th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97213—includes field work such as home visits.

Telework: This position is NOT eligible for hybrid or routine on‑site / telework. Ad‑hoc travel may be discussed at offer.

Benefits

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Defined benefit retirement plan (pension)
• Generous paid leave (vacation, holidays, sick, parental, military, etc.)
• Life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• Optional deferred compensation and flexible spending accounts
• Free annual Trimet bus pass
• Alternative wellness resources

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

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 status, genetic information, or other protected characteristics.

Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and requests priority protected veteran referrals.

Veteran’s Preference: Qualifying veterans may apply for veteran’s preference. Review eligibility and application process details.

Accommodation under Americans with Disabilities Act: Reasonable accommodation is provided. Contact recruiter for assistance.

Recruiter

Yulee Kim-Whetstone

Email: Phone:

• Phone: 1 (971) 349-0804

Job Profile: 6365 - Mental Health Consultant