Pre-Commitment Investigator, Behavioral Health Division

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

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

The Opportunity:

Overview:

THIS WORK MATTERS!

**This position requires: Qualified Mental Health Professional-C (QMHP-C) with the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) and/or licensed Board of Oregon (LPC, LCSW, PHD,etc), see below**

The Pre-Commitment Investigator serves a critical function at the intersection of clinical behavioral health and the legal system. In this role, you will conduct in-depth evaluations of individuals involuntarily detained in a hospital setting who are alleged to be a danger to themselves or others due to a behavioral health disorder, or are unable to meet their essential needs. Your professional determination guides the judicial process by recommending the appropriate course of action, which may include No Hearing, a 14-day Diversion, or a formal Civil Commitment Hearing.

As the Pre-Commitment Investigator, other duties will include:

Civil Commitment Investigations

• Conduct civil commitment investigation according to legal mandates in Oregon Revised Statute chapter 426 and Oregon Administrative Rule 309-033. 

• Interview alleged mentally ill persons in hospital settings. Conduct thorough assessment of alleged mentally ill persons to include mental status and diagnostic impressions, crisis assessment, and risk assessment. 

• Review hospital records; obtain and review other pertinent records/documents such as police reports. 

• Interview family members of alleged mentally ill persons, their treatment providers, and witnesses of alleged dangerousness. 

• Consult with psychiatric treatment providers regarding alleged mentally ill persons' potential for danger to self or other, up to and including life threatening danger, recommended treatment and person’s ability to engage in such treatment on a voluntary basis. 

• Determine least restrictive mental health treatment options to mitigate potential danger. 

• Monitor progress of inpatient treatment and its efficacy in mitigating risk of danger. Determine whether an alleged mentally ill person should be recommended for civil commitment hearing.

• Journey level, post graduate experience working with persons diagnosed with severe persistent mental health disorders.

Professional

• Perform the full range of duties, working independently, applying well-developed subject knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative.

• Receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.

• Fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.

• Work is reviewed based on compliance, appropriateness, and effectiveness in meeting goals and deadlines.

• Receive direction from manager or staff.

• May exercise functional and technical supervision over staff. 

Reporting

• Prepare a written report of findings of each investigation. 

• Prepare and file legal documents to make recommendations to the circuit court for each investigation regarding whether legal criteria are met for the alleged mentally ill person to have a civil commitment hearing. 

• Maintain clinical records per applicable State laws and County Behavioral Health Division policy. 

• Complete data reporting forms for each investigation.

Court and Community Liaison

• Prepare cases for civil commitment hearings. 

• File all documents with the Court. 

• Communicate with attorneys, judicial staff, and judges. 

• Attend civil commitment hearings. 

• Coordinate witnesses to provide testimony at civil commitment hearings. 

• May testify at civil commitment hearings. 

• Represent Behavioral Health Division and Health Department policies regarding behavioral health issues and treatment to other public agencies and the community.

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 about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications (REQUIRED):

Experience/Education/Certification: Pre-Commitment Investigator Training and experience for journey level, professional classifications are equivalent to a master's degree and one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 5-8 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Must have a Masters degree and must meet the standards of Qualified Mental Health Professional-C (QMHP-C) with the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of 

Oregon (MHACBO) - more information can be found at MHACBO website,  and/or licensed Board of Oregon (LPC, LCSW, PHD, etc),  See qualified degrees listed below:

• Graduate degree in psychology or

• Graduate degree in social work or counseling or

• Graduate degree in a behavioral science field; AND

Other Certification: Can pass an examination regarding Oregon statutes and administrative rules relating to the civil commitment of mentally ill persons. Possession of, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, an active and valid registration as a Mental Health Investigator Certification from the Oregon Health Authority.

Other: 

• This position requires a background investigation, which may include being fingerprinted.

• This position requires a Valid Driver's License.

• Requires use of a personal vehicle to travel to assigned hospital sites.

• Depending upon assignment, candidates may be required to pass an additional criminal background check, and/or be required to obtain additional training, licenses, or certificates.

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. 

• Leadership experience in the crisis field

• Leads with race through actions and advocacy with internal programs, with community partners and across departments throughout the county.

• Demonstrate the ability to flex style when faced with myriad dimensions of culture in order to be effective across cultural context.  

• Respect and appreciation for ethnic and cultural diversity.

• Knowledge of challenges and barriers faced by those with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) and the systems they encounter in Residential Services, Adult Protective Services and Crisis Services.  

• Ability to collaborate and build relationships to achieve positive work outcomes.

• Ability to maintain a safe and healthful workplace.

• High degree of resilience, is outcome driven and can thrive in an environment of rapid change while effectively managing pressure in an effective and professional manner.

*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 & EVALUATION (REQUIRED):  

The Application Packet: You must submit ALL requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

1. Attach a Resume demonstrating you meeting minimum qualifications; AND

2. Attach a Cover Letter addressing the following: 

• Demonstrate your experience working with diverse vulnerable populations; and

• How you meet the qualifications for this position, including your current certifications; and 

• Why you are interested in the position; AND

3. Attach a copy of your QMHP-C Certification and/or licensed Board of Oregon (LPC, LCSW, etc)

Note: The application, resume and cover letter 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 be scored and determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process. 

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

• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates

• Consideration of top candidates/interviews

• Background, reference, and education checks

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime

Type: Represented

FLSA: Non-Exempt 

Teleworking/Hybrid: At this time, this position is designated to “routine telework/hybrid,” meaning you will be working remotely (from home).  This position will require commuting to local hospitals on a daily basis. The designation of Routine Telework/hybrid may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. The onsite work location for this position is Five Oak building 209 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97204.

Applying for this posting will give you the opportunity to be placed on the eligible list for future opportunities for Mental Health Consultant positions as positions for these programs become available. The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill regular, full or part time, temporary, and limited duration assignments.

Pay Equity: 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.

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website. 

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

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.

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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.

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