Mental Health Therapist - Pendleton Cottage

Position Title

Oregon Health Authority – Mental Health Therapist 2 – Pendleton Cottage, Pendleton, Oregon.

Salary Range: $4,945 – $6,258.

Position Type:
Employee.

The Oregon State Hospital’s Pendleton Cottage, located in beautiful Pendleton, Oregon, is seeking a passionate, driven, and compassionate professional to join our team as a Mental Health Therapist 2. In this meaningful role, you’ll work closely with experienced staff to support high‑risk and high‑profile individuals on their recovery journey, helping shape and implement individualized treatment plans within our secure residential treatment facility.

You’ll play a vital part in delivering group and individual therapies, guiding socialization skill development, creating lesson plans, teaching groups, providing case management, and facilitating a structured daily program—all while contributing to a safe, supportive environment for residents and staff alike.

If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of others, we encourage you to join our team dedicated to promoting recovery and well‑being.

Monday – Friday | 1:00pm – 9:30pm.

Days Off:
Saturday and Sunday.

• Three years of experience working with mentally, emotionally, behavioral or physically impaired clients.
• An associate or a bachelor’s degree in social science (such as social work, human services, psychology, child development, gerontology, health, or health education) may be substituted for 6 months of the required experience.

• Experience in implementing and supporting the principles of the Recovery Model.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to adapt effectively to diverse and dynamic situations involving a wide range of individuals.
• The ability to think quickly and proactively address potential issues before they occur.
• Experience working with forensic populations.
• Skilled in creating therapeutic, Recovery Model–aligned lesson plans that support individualized resident goals.
• Experience coordinating resident care and supporting treatment through consistent, collaborative case management.
• Experience in leading and instructing groups utilizing the Recovery Model framework.

• Must possess a valid Oregon driver's license.
• Must possess QMHA (Qualified Mental Health Associate) certification or be willing to obtain within the first month of employment.
• Must possess CPR and First Aid certifications or be willing to obtain within the first month of employment.
• Must possess Safe Together certification or be willing to obtain within the first month of employment.

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

This announcement is for one (1), full-time, permanent, SEIU represented, Mental Health Therapist 2, located in Pendleton, Oregon. This is a 100% on-site position.

Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check and a driving records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment.

Candidates who are offered employment at Pendleton Cottage must satisfactorily pass a pre‑employment drug screening.

The salary listed is the non‑PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. For more information, see the Classification and Compensation page.

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.

This position does not provide visa sponsorship.

Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9…