A Psychologist studies human behavior to learn about the mental processes that affect people and how they relate to each other. Specializes in research or works directly with patients. May assess, diagnose and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders, provide counseling, advise students, focus on workplace issues or consult on criminal cases.
This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Please Note:
The application deadline may be extended to expand the pool of qualified candidates. Any recruitment timeline changes will be communicated to all who have initiated an application process or have submitted an application.
JOB DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Clackamas County's Health Centers - Behavioral Health Clinics is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Specialist 3 (MHS3) to join our team. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing advanced behavioral health services to children, adolescents, teenagers, and their families while supporting the development of behavioral health staff and promoting coordinated, high-quality care. The Mental Health Specialist 3 provides advanced behavioral health services primarily to a pediatric population, including young children, adolescents, teenagers, and their families/caregivers. Services include comprehensive assessment and diagnosis, individual and family therapy, crisis intervention, treatment planning, case management, and ongoing evaluation of client needs and progress. The MHS3 coordinates with internal medical and behavioral health providers, as well as external partners, as needed to best meet the needs of clients, parents/caregivers, and community partners. The position works collaboratively with medical providers, school personnel, behavioral health staff, families, and community organizations to provide integrated, developmentally appropriate, and responsive behavioral health care. The position is primarily based at Gladstone Primary Care Health Clinic and may provide services at other pediatric clinic locations, including School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs). Because services may be provided across multiple locations, the work location will vary and may require travel to Health Center and school-based sites throughout Clackamas County. Successful candidates must have experience and knowledge specifically working with pediatric populations in clinical settings, with experience in school-based settings highly valued. In addition to providing direct clinical services, the MHS3 provides direct clinical supervision to treatment staff, including licensed and master's-level clinicians, and provides clinical consultation, training, case review, work direction, and guidance on complex clinical and procedural issues. The position supports staff development and promotes consistent, high-quality clinical practices across the program. The person in this position must be fluent in both English and Spanish and meet the requirements of a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule and the minimum qualification requirements below.
• A minimum of three (3) years of related experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of this position Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as established by the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board of Oregon (MHACBO) and/or State of Oregon licensing board Current licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Experience providing clinical mental/behavioral health services to children and/or adolescents and their families/caregivers Clinical mental health experience working in pediatric primary care, integrated behavioral health, and School-Based Health Center settings Bilingual English/Spanish skills sufficient to provide behavioral health services directly to Spanish speaking clients and families Must possess and maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate
Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:
• Experience providing behavioral health services specifically to young children, adolescents, and teenagers across all the different developmental stages Experience providing family-centered therapy and engaging parents/caregivers as part of treatment Experience providing clinical mental/behavioral health services within schools or collaborating closely with school administrators, counselors, teachers, and other school personnel
Pre-Employment Requirements:
• Must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. Learn more about the County's drug testing policy . Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check Driving is necessary for County business. For position(s) with occasional/incidental driving, incumbents must possess a valid driver's license. Accommodation requests for an acceptable alternative method of transportation will be reviewed on an individual basis in compliance with State and Federal legislation. For position(s) with regular driving, incumbent(s) must also possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County's driving policy
