Psychiatric Crisis Counselor; Behavioral Health Specialist – Southern Region; Eugene​/Lebanon

Initial Posting Date: 12/19/2025

Final date to receive applications: 12/31/2025

Agency: Department of Human Services

Salary Range: $6,414 - $8,966

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Psychiatric Crisis Counselor (Behavioral Health Specialist
2) – Southern Region (Eugene/Lebanon Area)

Job Description: The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity 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.

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 experience using positive behavior support services with individuals who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities, or other related conditions? Does working in a fast-paced work environment energize you? Then, come Join Team SACU!

We are seeking a Psychiatric Crisis Counselor (Behavioral Health Specialist
2) to join our Stabilization and Crisis Unit Crisis Outreach Assessment Team (COAT).

This is the schedule we are filling in the (Eugene/Lebanon) Area:

• Monday - Friday, noon 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

If you are bilingual, we encourage you to apply! You do not need to be bilingual to apply or be considered for these positions. We serve diverse communities and recognize the importance of serving people in their preferred language.

As an employee working within the Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU), you will be 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 those offered 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 necessary support 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 18 residential group homes along the I‑5 corridor from Portland to Eugene.

As a Psychiatric Crisis Counselor, you will:

• Provide mental health/psychiatric intervention during crisis and assess the individual to determine which therapeutic approaches are most effective to support stabilization.
• Build rapport, when there isn’t an active crisis, with the individuals we support and the interdisciplinary support team to collaboratively build person‑centered specific plans to support stabilization.
• Provide crisis support and consultation services as a member of an interdisciplinary support team. The services include, but are not limited to conducting mental health assessments, skills building, group and individual therapy and educational sessions; provide triage functions to determine priority response; networking with community resources to help bridge the gap of mental health supports for the individuals we support.

A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.

A Master’s degree in psychology; social work; recreational, art, or music therapy; or behavioral health science AND two years of progressively responsible experience that included completing comprehensive mental health assessments, developing behavioral health interventions, and providing specialized counseling and therapy.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in nursing or occupational therapy AND licensed by the State of Oregon AND three…