Temp Counselor III $28.40+ DOE

Make a difference with VOA Oregon! For over 125 years, Volunteers of America Oregon has been dedicated to serving the most vulnerable members of our community. Through our programs in behavioral health, addiction treatment, reentry services, and support for children and families, we provide life-changing services that promote safety, healing, and empowerment.

Join a mission-driven organization that truly values its employees! This is a full-time position with excellent benefits, including:

Comprehensive health coverage - medical, dental, and vision insurance, with an employee medical premium starting at just $12.50 per paycheck

Financial protection - life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance

Retirement security - 403(b) with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months, regardless of employee participation

Work-life balance - a generous paid time off (PTO) plan, starting with accruals that earn 15 days in the first year, 23 days in the second, and 26 days in the third

Upfront sick leave - 80 hours of front-loaded sick time (prorated in the first year), which resets annually on January 1

Paid holidays - 10 paid holidays each year, plus three personal holidays (prorated in the first year) for employees to take time off to celebrate holidays, events, or milestones that matter most to them

Student loan forgiveness - As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, VOA Oregon is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which can help employees reduce or eliminate their federal student loan debt after 10 years of qualifying payments.

Additional perks - flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, and other voluntary benefits and discounts

At VOA Oregon, you'll be part of a compassionate and dedicated team, making a real difference in our community. Apply today!

Position Close Date: April 3, 2026

This position is responsible for providing comprehensive substance use and mental health treatment services, including individual counseling, group facilitation, assessments, and treatment planning, utilizing evidence-based practices. Additionally, it involves providing mentorship to junior staff by performing the following duties primarily in the Federal and Probation Program (FPP). This is a temporary 6-month position.

Education & Experience

A Master's degree in a MHACBO-approved field that qualifies for registration as a qualified mental health professional (QMHP), such as social work, counseling, or psychology, is required for this role. In addition to the education requirement, this position requires experience conducting assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and facilitating individual and group counseling sessions. Experience working in a residential, outpatient, or community-based behavioral health setting preferred. Familiarity with trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and culturally responsive service delivery strongly preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be used to satisfy these requirements

Certificates, Licenses, and/or Registrations

This position requires a Certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I). CADC I certification must be obtained within 24 months of registering as a CADC I candidate if not already obtained upon hire. This position must be eligible for registration with MHACBO as a QMHP-R or already registered as a QMHP-C.

Essential Job Duties

• Provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed services through individual counseling, talk therapy, such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based practices, as well as structured group sessions that support client recovery, behavior change, and relapse prevention.
• Performs initial and ongoing substance use and mental health assessments, including ASAM and DSM-5-TR, to determine clinical needs and inform individualized treatment planning (independently or under the supervision of a credentialed or licensed mental health professional (QMHP-C, LCSW, LPC)).
• Collaborates with clients and supervisors to create and regularly update individualized treatment plans that address substance use, mental health needs, risk factors, and social determinants of health.
• Facilitates structured, curriculum-based groups and psychoeducation sessions in the outpatient setting that support skill-building, emotional regulation, relapse prevention, and pro-social behavior.
• Responds to client crises and behavioral escalations using clinical judgment and de-escalation techniques, conducts risk screenings and develops safety plans when appropriate, and notifies other individuals as needed.
• Conducts routine check-ins during scheduled appointments or outreach to maintain therapeutic engagement with clients, monitor progress, identify support needs, and reinforce recovery goals.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic health record, including assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, discharge summaries, and external communications.
• Participates in case consultations, clinical supervision, and team-based meetings to review care progress, receive feedback, and enhance service coordination.
• Collaborates with external systems such as courts, DHS, PO, medical providers, and housing resources.

Observes clients for signs of relapse, intoxication, withdrawal, or other risk behaviors and follows established protocols to address and document concerns during sessions or client contacts.

• Provides informal peer support and mentorship to Counselor I and Il staff, assists with documentation, clinical practice, and client engagement strategies.
• Supports onboarding and training of new clinical staff by modeling program expectations and evidence-based engagement approaches.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary staff including medical providers, peers, and case managers to align treatment efforts and ensure consistent implementation of care plans.
• Participates in new client intakes, including program orientation, screenings, and assessment scheduling.
• Routinely incorporates client feedback and outcome monitoring tools (e.g., FIT) to inform clinical decision-making and improve client-centered care.
• Contributes to the development and refinement of clinical programming and workflows to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices and outpatient service needs.
• Complies with all applicable professional codes of ethics (e.g., MHACBO), agency policies, and federal and state regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regarding confidentiality and client rights.
• Engages in regular clinical supervision, case consultations, and program meetings to receive feedback, enhance clinical skills, and contribute to team-based service delivery.
• Conducts risk screenings (e.g., for suicide, violence, psychosis, or self-neglect) and collaborates in the development of client safety plans in accordance with supervision protocols and clinical best practices.
• Conducts regular check-ins and schedules follow-up with clients to monitor progress, assesses well-being, and identifies emerging risks or support needs; escalates concerns per clinical protocols.
• Collaborates and communicates regularly with other outpatient staff and program managers to support coordinated care, treatment planning, and quality of service delivery
• Manages administrative responsibilities such as checking email, responding to phone calls, managing appointment schedules, and maintaining timely documentation.
• Participates in ongoing training and professional development activities to maintain certification and improve service delivery.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and evidence-based counseling methods such as Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support individualized treatment and behavior change.
• Knowledge of the MHACBO Code of Conduct, counseling ethics, mandated reporting, and legal standards such as CFR 42 Part 2 to ensure ethical, confidential, and compliant clinical practice.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and the impact of trauma on substance use and recovery to promote safe, supportive client interactions.
• Knowledge of cultural humility, social determinants of health, and systemic barriers such as incarceration and hospitalization to deliver inclusive and responsive care.
• Knowledge of clinical tools such as the ASAM Criteria, DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria, and mental status exams to support accurate clinical assessment and level-of-care determinations.
• Knowledge of documentation standards and electronic health records to ensure clear, timely, and clinically relevant communication.

Knowledge of Feedback-Informed Treatment (FIT) and outcome tracking practices, including ORS/SRS, to enhance engagement and guide treatment decisions.

• Knowledge of care coordination principles and community-based resources (e.g., primary care, housing, legal systems) to support holistic and integrated service planning.
• Knowledge of engagement and retention strategies for individuals with varying levels of readiness for treatment in outpatient settings.
• Skilled in conducting structured clinical assessments, including ASAM and mental health screenings, to inform treatment planning and referrals.
• Skilled in delivering individual and group counseling using evidence-based approaches to address substance use and co-occurring conditions in an outpatient setting.
• Skilled in crisis intervention and stabilization, including suicide and psychosis risk assessment, safety planning, and de-escalation techniques.
• Skilled in documenting clinical activities, treatment goals, and progress notes to ensure continuity and compliance In care.
• Skilled in using behavioral health software and electronic records systems for documentation and communication.
• Skilled in collaborating with interdisciplinary staff, community partners, and external systems to align treatment goals and address client needs.
• Skilled in integrating clinical supervision and client feedback to improve therapeutic effectiveness and professional development.
• Skilled in managing a caseload with varying levels of acuity while maintaining responsiveness, engagement, and treatment quality.
• Skilled in tailoring interventions to client feedback, developmental stage, learning style, and level of insight to support therapeutic progress.
• Ability to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries that build trust and support recovery.
• Ability to apply independent clinical judgment and escalate concerns appropriately to supervisors or licensed clinicians.
• Ability to adhere to ethical and legal standards in all interactions to protect confidentiality and support client rights.
• Ability to engage in collaborative problem-solving with clients, peers, and teams to address treatment barriers and support progress.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and remain present in a dynamic, fast-paced outpatient treatment environment.
• Ability to reflect on and incorporate client feedback to adapt therapeutic approaches and improve engagement.
• Ability to coordinate care with external systems such as courts, DHS, hospitals, and housing providers to ensure continuity and access to needed services.
• Ability to support peers through informal mentorship and contribute positively to a team-based, learning-oriented clinical environment.

Other Eligibility Requirements

• Must complete a criminal history background check and receive authorization from the State of Oregon's Background Check Unit.

Must not be excluded from participation in federal healthcare programs, including but not limited to listings on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities and the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusion list.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship
• If driving is required for the position, the individual must have an active driver's license, current insurance, reliable transportation and ability to meet VOA Oregon's and VOA Oregon's insurer's driver standards.

Travel Requirement

16-25% of work time requires travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance to interns.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee must meet and may encounter while performing the essential duties of this job.

• Moves regularly throughout the day in an outpatient treatment clinic with standard office equipment and shared client-facing spaces.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working with clients experiencing substance use and co-occurring mental health challenges.
• Must be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Communicate regularly throughout the day via frequent interactions with clients.
• Performs repetitive tasks such as using hands and fingers to handle objects, tools, or controls, reaching with hands and arms, balancing, stooping, and kneeling.
• Must be able to respond to occasional crisis situations and maintain safety in an environment where clients may present unpredictable, disruptive, or escalated behavior.
• Requires the ability to talk, see, and hear clearly to communicate and monitor client safety effectively.
• The typical noise level is moderate.

Individuals in this role must be able to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employees or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required for this position