Mental Health and Evaluation Specialist

Full Job Description

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Sheriff’s Office provides patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, search and rescue, marine patrol, law enforcement contracts countywide, jail operations, and supervision of parole and probation offenders.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
A Mental Health and Evaluation Specialist performs professional mental health and evaluation work involving the assessment, counseling, and consultation of justice-involved individuals within Community Corrections, jail release, and transitional settings. Provides clinical assessments and consultative input to support treatment planning and continuity of care. Collaborates with probation officers, case managers, and partner staff by offering clinical perspective to support supervision activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the intermittent supervision of a Division Commander or designee who assigns work by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines and receives clinical supervision from a Health and Human services Clinical Supervisor. The supervisor assists with unusual situations and provides clear objectives. The employee plans and conducts successive steps, resolves issues and variations, and applies policies and accepted practices. The supervisor reviews work for technical adequacy and compliance with standards and procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision is not a primary responsibility; however, this classification includes lead work. If a supervisor assigns an employee lead worker duties as described in the Marion County Personnel Rules, the employee is ineligible for additional compensation.

Requirements

1. Assessment and Evaluation
   • Assess adult offenders under the supervision of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and residents of the Transition Center.
   • Conduct criminogenic risk/needs assessments using validated tools, such as the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) and the Women’s Risk/Needs Assessment (WRNA).
   • Conduct mental health evaluations in accordance with professional standards and applicable regulations.
   • Participate in case staffing for high-risk offenders
2. Counseling and Intervention
   • Provide short-term individual and group counseling interventions.
   • Assist individuals in accessing appropriate community-based mental health and support services.
3. Consultation and Coordination
   • Provide non-supervisory clinical consultation to probation officers, case managers, and Transition Center staff.
   • Participate in the development and maintenance of care coordination practices for individuals transitioning from custody to the community.
   • Exchange information with jail, Transition Center, and supervision staff regarding emerging mental health needs.
   • Serve as a liaison with community treatment providers and partner agencies.
4. Training and Support
   • Provide subject-matter expertise and training support related to mental health awareness, de-escalation, and referral practices.
   • Develop instructional materials and provide technical assistance to Sheriff’s Office, probation, and Transition Center staff.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

1. Master's degree with major coursework in mental health or a closely related field, AND
2. Two years of experience performing clinical assessments and evaluations.
3. Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be credentialed or registered through the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board of Oregon (MHACBO) as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) within the first 6 months of employment.
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check, including finger printing; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.

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: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/.

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:http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/policy.aspx?p=policy&pid=518.

• This assignment is represented by a union.
• This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

KNOWLEDGE: The body of information required to perform the work effectively.

• Principles and practices of clinical consultation, professional oversight standards, and quality assurance related to psychological testing and reporting.
• Principles and practices of clinical supervision as applied to professional standards and case consultation, including psychological testing and reporting.
• Pertinent federal, state, county, and local laws, codes, and regulations governing mental health and correctional practice.
• Ethical standards and guidelines of the mental health professions, including but not limited to the American Psychological Association, Association of Clinical Social Workers, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and professional counseling associations.
• Current research and evidence-based practices related to adult offender supervision, assessment, and mental health treatment.
• Principles and practices of short-term individual and group counseling interventions, including stabilization and relapse prevention strategies.
• Care coordination and case management practices that support continuity of care across custody, residential, and community-based settings.

SKILLS: Observable practiced capabilities used to complete job tasks.

• Apply principles and practices of clinical supervision and consultation in the context of assessment, documentation, and reporting.
• Maintain accurate and appropriate records and logs in accordance with policy, ethical standards, and applicable regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with multidisciplinary staff and stakeholders.
• Provide subject-matter expertise and structured training support, including the development and delivery of instructional materials related to mental health awareness, de-escalation, and referral practices.

ABILITIES: Enduring capacities to perform work activities under expected conditions.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary staff by offering clinical perspective, recommendations, and consultation without supervisory or evaluative authority.
• Attend meetings and consult with staff across multiple locations throughout the county.