Corrections Counselor

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

Pay Range:

$38.00 - $46.70 Hourly

Department:

Sheriff

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

October 01, 2025

The Opportunity:

Overview:

Are you an experienced and motivated counselor or case manager who is passionate about helping adults involved in the criminal justice system turn their lives around and create a better future? The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is recruiting experienced, responsible, motivated individuals that are passionate about helping members in the community and adults in custody (AIC) in Multnomah County’s correctional facilities. If this describes you, please review this posting thoroughly and follow the application instructions listed in Screening and Evaluation.

Join MCSO and become part of a dynamic team where your commitment to justice and community safety can make a real difference. We are seeking individuals who are dedicated to serving the community, passionate about helping others and inspired by a strong sense of purpose. MCSO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and investing in professional development opportunities throughout your career.

To learn more about our agency, please watch our video: Join Our Team

Apply as soon as possible! We anticipate keeping this recruitment open for two (2) weeks, but may close this recruitment early if a sufficient number of candidates are received.

Primary duties of a Corrections Counselor include:

• Assess needs and responsivity factors, including culture, learning style, gender, and identified criminogenic needs, to provide comprehensive case management and planning for AIC. Prepare personalized case plans to assist with individual problems and concerns, and consider community risk related to release to community-based programs. Monitor to ensure compliance and alter case plans as needed.
• Develop and implement cognitive-behaviorally based curricula and facilitate support groups for medium and high-risk adults in custody to meet the needs of a specific population. Provide training on curriculum content and areas for best practices to community members and others.
• Administer needs assessments, conduct interviews, and research history to determine the appropriate level of services for adults in custody. Provide referrals for medical and psychological evaluations as needed.
• Provide transition planning, including intensive communication and case coordination with individuals, adults in custody groups, community-based providers, institution staff, and family members. Develop individualized transition plans and provide them to local and state institutions to aid in the transition from custody to the community upon release.
• Provide individual counseling services for issues related to confinement, being under supervision, abstaining from crime, drugs, or alcohol, and living in the community. Defuse escalating and violent behavior and provide crisis management and counseling while in custody.
• Conduct alcohol and drug assessments and interventions for adults in custody, making referrals and facilitating placement into and out of treatment programs. Monitor progress and motivation while waiting for treatment and attend case planning meetings with treatment providers and residential program graduations.
• Develop and implement care management plans for adults in custody with chronic and persistent mental health disorders, including serious mental health conditions and personality disorders. Consult with mental health professionals and provide referrals to community-based clinics and other resources to address complex mental health needs and behavioral challenges. Participate in case planning meetings in institutions and the community, attend advisory committees for the implementation of programs, and be present at neighborhood meetings. Provide input and support at community-based events and participate in the review of contracted partners to determine performance.
• Hold clients accountable to plans and agreements (i.e. MCSO Deputy directives, safety plans, and court orders); assist with skill development; provide direct access to community partners in and out of the jail setting; secure community resources upon release; may transport individuals to inpatient treatment\community resources.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
   

To Qualify
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application about how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, social work, or a related field. Additional qualifying experience may be considered as a substitute for education on a year for year basis.
• Minimum of one (1) year of counseling and case management experience; familiarity with motivational interviewing and stages of change research.
• Required to possess a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I) credential by the time of employment.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license by the time of employment.
• Must pass a criminal records and employment references check.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Master’s degree with major course work in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, social work, or a related field.
• Bilingual skills.
• Experience with the criminal justice system and working with law enforcement officers.
• Experience working with high-risk populations, including AIC with mental health issues, sex offenders, and substance abusers.
• Familiarity with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and ASAM levels of care.
• Understanding of basic factors of recidivism.
• Experience developing, implementing and facilitating skill-based and educational groups.
• Familiarity with cognitive restructuring techniques.
• Ability to communicate with cultural competency.
   

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.
 

Screening and Evaluation:
The Application Packet: The application packet consists of the following documents. You must submit all requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

• A completed online application demonstrating how your education and experience qualify you for this position.
• Screening Questions: In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the following two questions (please limit your answers to two pages, double-spaced):
  • Question 1: Please describe how your specific work experience, education, employment background and/or lived experience qualify you for this position and why you are interested in this position.
  • Question 2: Please specify if you are CADC I certified (list certification date and state of certification) and please describe your experience using this certification.
  • Question 3: Please provide an example of your efforts to promote equity and inclusion in a work or learning environment.
• Responses to any and all questionnaires that are sent to you after submitting your online application.
• Note: if you are interested in requesting veterans’ preference, please be prepared to submit your DD214 and veteran disability verification forms electronically when requested.

Note: Please contact the recruiter as soon as possible if you experience complications when applying. The application should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process.

After You Apply:

• Log in to your Workday account before the job posting closes to see if you have any pending tasks or actions to complete. These can be found under the “My Applications” section. You must complete these tasks or actions before the job posting closes.
• Check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
• Internal Candidates: After you have hit “submit” on your application, check your Workday inbox, and complete all questionnaires, including the Veterans Preference Questionnaire prior to application deadline. The Veterans Preference questionnaire is required for ALL internal candidates, regardless of Veteran status. Certain questionnaires/acknowledgements must be completed before applications are even received by HR.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications.
• Virtual panel interviews.
• Consideration of top candidates.
• Background and reference checks (Personal History Statement completed online).

Additional Information:

Only apply once for this opportunity.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, regular, temporary, limited-duration, and on-call positions.

Salary: $38.00-$46.70 per hour.

Type of Position: Two (2) Regular Status- Represented.

Schedule: Monday-Friday day shift, schedule will be determined with supervisor. Regular shift and day off assignments are determined by an annual seniority bid process. Telework options are only available on occasion and will be determined with your supervisor.

Location: There are two (2) positions housed in the Multnomah County Inverness Jail, 11540 NE Inverness Drive, Portland, OR 97220, but may need to travel to various locations to attend community meetings and services.

Benefits: Multnomah County offers a generous benefits package. For more information about our benefit offerings, please click on the following link: https://multco.us/benefits/new-employee-benefits

Equal Pay: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Every day, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

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. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

KELSEY RUDEEN

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

+1 (503) 5226896

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6268 - Corrections Counselor