Job Description
Job Description
Job Title : Behavioral Health Specialist – Family Shelter
Reports To : Program Supervisor – Family Shelter
Location : Gresham, Oregon
Full-Time | 40 hours / week | Salary Range : $30 / hr – $32 / hr (DOE) | Benefits Included
Shifts : Tuesday-Saturday 7am-3pm
About Just Compassion
Just Compassion of East Washington County is a community-centered nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of unhoused individuals by building relationships and working toward long-term housing stability. We operate with a low-barrier, housing-first approach, ensuring equitable access to services for all individuals.
Position Summary
The Behavioral Health Specialist provides trauma-informed mental health and behavioral support to families residing in Just Compassion’s 50-unit family shelter in Gresham, Oregon. This role ensures that participants—both adults and children—have access to compassionate, responsive, and integrated behavioral health services while staying at the shelter.
The Behavioral Health Specialist works collaboratively with case managers, youth staff, and external clinical partners to address barriers related to mental health, substance use, and family well-being. This position bridges crisis response, short-term counseling, and system navigation, helping families stabilize and connect to ongoing behavioral health care.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Behavioral Health Support and Engagement
- Provide trauma-informed, strengths-based behavioral health support to families, including adults, children, and adolescents.
- Offer crisis intervention, and emotional support to participants experiencing acute stress or behavioral health challenges.
- Conduct assessments to identify mental health or substance use needs and connect participants to appropriate community-based services.
- Support families in developing coping strategies, communication skills, and healthy routines that promote stability and resilience.
- Collaborate with caregivers to address behavioral concerns impacting children’s emotional or academic functioning.
Coordination and System Navigation
Serve as the primary liaison between participants and behavioral health partners.Assist participants in navigating Oregon Health Plan (OHP) benefits, Medicaid-aligned behavioral health services, and community treatment options.Coordinate warm hand-offs to clinical providers, therapists, or peer support specialists for ongoing care.Work closely with the Case Manager / Family Advocate to ensure behavioral health considerations are integrated into service plans.Crisis Response and Safety
Respond to behavioral health crises using de-escalation, harm reduction, and trauma-informed techniques.Support staff in managing complex participant interactions while maintaining a safe and calm shelter environment.Develop and implement individualized behavioral support plans when needed.Participate in safety planning and risk assessment for participants experiencing suicidal ideation, domestic violence, or substance use relapse.Team Collaboration and Training
Provide consultation and guidance to shelter staff regarding behavioral health best practices, boundaries, and trauma-informed engagement.Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case reviews to ensure coordinated family support.Assist in developing staff training materials and participate in team education on behavioral health awareness and de-escalation techniques.Collaborate with external behavioral health agencies to enhance shelter-based supports and streamline referrals.Documentation, Compliance, and Reporting
Maintain accurate and timely records of participant interactions, assessments, and referrals.Adhere to HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and Just Compassion confidentiality standards.Track and report behavioral health service utilization and participant outcomes.Ensure compliance with program standards, funding requirements, and ethical practice guidelines.Qualifications
Required :
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related field (or equivalent experience).2+ years of experience providing behavioral health or social services in community, shelter, or healthcare settings.Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and person-centered engagement strategies.Experience supporting individuals and families impacted by homelessness, behavioral health disorders, or substance use.Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust across diverse populations.Proficiency in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.Preferred :
Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related behavioral health discipline.Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) or Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) credential under OAR 309-019.Experience working with families and children in trauma recovery or stabilization programs.Familiarity with Medicaid systems, OHP, and regional behavioral health provider networks.Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish, Russian, or other languages commonly spoken by participants).Work Environment
Based primarily at the Gresham family shelter, with occasional off-site coordination or outreach.Work may involve evening or weekend hours to meet participant or program needs.Regular exposure to families in crisis, requiring professionalism, patience, and emotional resilience.Stay informed on Just Compassion and County policies, procedures, and program standards.Uphold best practices in trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and harm reduction.Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Program Manager and funding entities.Physical Requirements
Ability to walk up and down stairs and stand for extended periods.Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and assist with light physical tasks (e.g., setting up tables / chairs).Ability to perform job duties that may involve bending, twisting, or reaching.Why Join Just Compassion?
Competitive pay and benefits including medical, dental, and paid time off.Opportunities for professional development, including training in trauma-informed care and housing-first strategies.A collaborative work environment that values compassion, advocacy, and community impact.Be part of a growing organization working to create real housing solutions in Washington County and beyond.Just Compassion of East Washington County is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees and applicants for employment. This policy prohibits discrimination on all legally recognized bases including, but not limited to, race, creed, color, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, national origin, or service in the uniformed services.
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