Initial Posting Date:
11/03/2025
Application Deadline:
11/16/2025
Agency:
Department of Corrections
Salary Range:
$6,727 - $8,917
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
SUD Counselor, Behavioral Health Specialist 1 (Ontario)
Job Description:
SUD Counselor, Behavioral Health Specialist 1 (Ontario)
Snake River Correctional Institution – Ontario, Oregon
Oregon Department of Corrections
About the Job – Your Role
The Oregon Department of Corrections provides several levels of mental health treatment along with individualized case management. Behavioral health services are targeted to adults in custody (AIC) with severe or persistent mental illness. Short-term services are available to AICs who are not mentally ill, but who show high suicide potential, or who are experiencing other emotional distress. Behavioral Health Services also provides Substance Use Disorder treatment to AICs that meet qualification for available programs.
The purpose of this position is to deliver gender-inclusive and trauma-informed substance use disorder treatment services utilizing a chronic disease framework to adults in custody (AICs) at an outpatient level of care. The QMHA staff function as the primary service providers for this program. Services provided include ASAM assessment, treatment planning, group facilitation, individualized SUD treatment counseling, psychosocial skills development, case management, and discharge planning. This position works closely with AIC Peer Recovery Mentors. This position has contact with all levels of institution staff, as well as other agencies, individuals, and groups that interface with the ODOC. This position is supervised by a designated SUD Treatment Program Manager.
Applicants must be credentialed as a QMHA or meet the criteria for credentialing as a QMHA; and must also be credentialed as an Oregon Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor 1 (CADC 1) or higher with the Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO).
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:
4.75% differential for licensed QMHPs
5% for bilingual QMHPs
5% for leader worker QMHPs
This position is represented by American Federations of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This position may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute.
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field; OR
A combination of at least three years of relevant work, education, training, or experience; OR
Possession of a current Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) certification; OR
A qualified Mental Health Intern, as defined in 309-019-0105(61).
Note: Some positions may require qualification as a QMHA (Qualified Mental Health Associate).
List any special mandatory recruiting requirements for this position:
Are credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) with the Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), or are able to be credentialed as a QMHA.
Demonstrate the competency necessary to understand substance use disorder assessment, treatment and service terminology and apply these concepts; design and implement interventions as assigned on an individual plan of care; facilitate treatment groups; and provide case management.
Are credentialed as a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor I (CADC-I) or higher with MHACBO
Have experience with evidence-based, trauma-informed, and gender-inclusive treatment interventions for adults with substance use disorders and possible co-occurring mental health disorders.
Desired attributes
Experience working in collaboration with Certified Recovery Mentors or Peer Support Specialists
Familiarity with the chronic disease approach to SUD treatment
Individuals with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply
In the Work Experience section of your application make sure to include the dates and duties off all relevant positions and details to support how you meet these attributes. If you do not include education or work experience meeting the minimum qualifications, you will not be considered for the position. Only the candidates whose experience most closely matches the qualifications and requested skills of this position will be invited to interview.
Application Information
- In the Work Experience section of your application make sure to include the dates and duties of all relevant positions and details to support how you meet these attributes. If you do not include education or work experience meeting the minimum qualifications, you will not be considered for the position. Only the candidates whose experience most closely matches the qualifications and requested skills of this position will be invited to interview. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the job posting close date.
- The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
- Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. You may be asked to submit a skills assessment, a writing sample, or other assessment as part of the application screening process.
- Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.
Working Conditions
This position is in Ontario at the Snake River Correctional Institution. You will work in close contact with adults in custody in the institution setting and may be exposed to hostile situations or incidents. 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.
About the Department
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.
Benefits
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:
Family health, vision, and dental insurance
Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
21 days paid military leave for national guard and reserve components
Optional short and long-term disability
Term life insurance
Fully paid retirement program
Oregon Saving Growth Plan
Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare
And more
About the Process – What to Expect
After the application deadline, a recruiter will review submissions for education and experience to identify candidates who best fit the minimum qualifications and requested skills.
Top candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
The hiring manager will review your application and schedule interviews.
Interview will be held with a panel of stakeholders who have completed panel assessment training. Scores will be determined based on predetermined questions and scoring guides. Preferences points will be applied in compliance with relevant laws and bargaining agreements. There may be multiple rounds of interviews.
Final candidates will have a background check, PREA check, and reference checks.
A Classification and Compensation analyst will review the Workday Application of the successful candidate to determine starting wages. Learn more about Equal Pay.
A job offer will be extended through Workday to the successful candidate. Congratulations, and welcome to the team!
Requirements for Employment
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.
Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility. 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.
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.
Questions
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, [email protected]
Reference Number: Req-186540
Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. You may lose progress on your application.
Workday performs weekly maintenance Friday evenings, and the system may be down for several hours.
ODOC does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States.
This applicant list may be used to fill future vacancies. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
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. The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.
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