Behavioral Health Engagement Specialist

Central City Concern is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. We hire people that are skilled and passionate to meet our mission to end homelessness through outcome-based strategies which support personal and community transformation.

The Behavioral Health Engagement Specialist will provide trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered referral management, engagement, and support to individuals in transitional housing programs, experiencing or at risk of homelessness navigating mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. This hybrid role blends clinical knowledge, peer lived experience, and care coordination. This role will float between OTRC and Blackburn. This position has access to mental health billing and service records.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Location: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will be at Old Town Recovery Center (33 NW Broadway, Portland, OR 97209), Tuesdays and Thursdays will be at Blackburn Center (12121 E Burnside St. Portland, OR 97216)

Compensation: Starting at $23.36/hr

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must meet qualifications for:
  
  
  
  • CRM through MHACBO or PSS or PWS and be registered as a Traditional Health Worker on THW registry
  • QMHA-R or QMHA-I and be registered with MHACBO AND Relevant Bachelor's Degree or 3 years of relevant work experience towards QMHA
  
  
  
  
• High school diploma, GED or demonstrated ability to read and write at a sufficient level.
• Must meet CCC privileging requirements as required by FTCA.
• Have, or able to obtain, CPR Certification prior to start date.
• Must possess a current driver's license and qualify as an Acceptable Driver as designated in Central City Concern's Fleet Safety policy. Must pass an initial driver training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training. Must maintain vehicle insurance coverage of a minimum of One hundred thousand dollars/three hundred thousand dollars personal auto liability coverage if using personal vehicle for CCC business.
• Experience working with families involved with child welfare preferred.
• Must have basic knowledge of substance use disorders.
• Ability to adhere to Central City Concern's drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol.
• Will be required to carry a cell phone for work use. Cell phone to be provided by Central City Concern.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit. Must be approved by the Childcare Background Check Unit.
• The OAR prohibits A&D program staff from having within the previous 3 years a DUI conviction or diversion, a felony conviction, or a conviction under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.
• Prior to employment, must be approved by the State of Oregon Employment Department Child Care Division. Must complete consent for criminal records identification check pursuant to ORS 181.537. This program receives funds from the Federal Child Care Development Fund block grant via a contract with the Child Care Division for Alcohol & Drug Abuse Programs.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects.
• Must be able to climb stairs several times a day.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including some weekend and evening hours.
• Must adhere to agency's non-discrimination policies.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientations and treat everyone with respect and dignity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - GENERAL:

• Provide direct, trauma-informed support at CCC sites, and drop-in centers.
• Receive, review, and process incoming referral requests accurately and promptly.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to schedule services and follow-up on referrals.
• Verify necessary documentation, insurance eligibility, and authorization requirements when applicable.
• Maintain detailed records of referral activity in the EHR.
• Communicate with clients to provide updates, answer questions, and ensure follow-through.
• Monitor referral workflows to ensure timely completion and resolve any issues that arise.
• Assist participants in identifying needs, barriers, and interest in behavioral health or recovery services.
• Support transitions related to housing, hospital discharge, jail release, or other life events.
• Deliver recovery-focused education and interventions including motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies.
• Offer warm handoffs and referrals to housing, primary care, mental health, substance use treatment, employment, and other social services.
• Serve as a key liaison and communicator between participants, healthcare providers, and care teams.
• Support clients in developing care plans or identifying personal goals, and assist with registration and scheduling.
• Respond to team consultation requests and assist with urgent or crisis needs in collaboration with other team members.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in the electronic health record (within 72 hours), ensuring compliance with all agency, funder, and privacy standards.
• Participate in team huddles, care conferences, and case review meetings to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Assist with basic operations, drop-in support, and any requested coordination with partners or research entities.
• Actively engage in quality improvement processes and assist in outcome measurement and planning.
• Uphold privacy, security, and HIPAA/42 CFR Part 2 standards, reporting any potential breaches immediately.
• Attend all required CCC trainings and maintain necessary certifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES IF QMHA-R or QMHA-I:

• Applies clinical and psychiatric terminology and is able to record observations in requisite professional terms.
• Communicates the primary indications, effects, and side effects of pharmacological agents used in the treatment setting for most common health and behavioral health conditions.
• Uses interventions for both mental health and substance abuse.

OTHER DUTIES IF PEER:

• Peers explain the importance of self-advocacy as a component of recovery/wellness.
• Peers recognize risk; they work to prevent a consumer's crisis in a way that meets the consumer's needs, abilities, and preferences.
• Peers instill hope through self-disclosure and facilitating self-disclosure of recovery successes.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work effectively in a residential and Outpatient treatment environment with mothers and their children, clinical and program staff, and other members of a team.
• Ability to effectively communicate with clients and children; coworkers; corrections and court personnel, child welfare workers, and other community referents.
• Understanding of, and ability to work with the family court and juvenile justice system.
• Ability to articulate treatment program's goals and position in a courtroom setting.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for families striving to engage in recovery.
• Ability to understand and support family re-unification or termination requirements, and self-sufficiency plans developed by other agencies.
• Ability to manage complex and multiple tasks and prioritize appropriately.
• Understanding of HIPAA, 42 CFR, confidentiality issues, personal and professional boundaries, and a demonstrated ability to incorporate them into daily job performance.
• Comfortable working with people from a diverse range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, including those with dual diagnoses and/or other mental or physical disabilities.
• Ability to foster positive relationships with community partners.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize de-escalation techniques when encountering hostile individuals or volatile situations.
• Understanding of substance use disorder as a disease, including treatment and intervention methods.
• Ability to work in an environment with a high degree of ambiguity and change.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines.

BENEFITS: Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our Regular/FT employees

• Generous paid time off plan which provides up to 4 weeks of PTO accrual in the first year. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with competitive employer match with 4.25% in the first year, 6% in the second year, and 8% in the 3rd year.
• 11 recognized Holidays and 2 Personal Holidays.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long Term Disability Insurance!

This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed and is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of the position.

As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.

Central City Concern is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.