Community Health Specialist

Pay Range:

$26.85 - $32.85 Hourly

Department:

Department of Community Justice (DCJ)

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

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

August 17, 2025

The Opportunity:

• Are you experienced working with justice-involved individuals, including those with mental health issues and women & their families? 

• Do you want to contribute meaningfully into their lives and the lives of their families?

• Are you passionate about guiding and empowering others to reach their goals?

• Do you thrive in a collaborative environment?

If you answered yes to the above questions, please keep reading!

The Department of Community Justice Adult Division Women & Family Services Unit is seeking enthusiastic and motivated Community Health Specialist 2’s (CHS2) to join our dynamic team!  The Women & Family Services provides community supervision to probation and post-prison supervision clients that identify as female, as well as to both women and men in parenting roles. This unit focuses on building strengths within our clients through setting attainable goals and allowing their supervision to be self-driven and innovated by each client themselves.

As a Community Health Specialist 2, you will develop rapport and engage justice-involved clients while assisting Probation and Parole officers with case planning and community program referrals. Our CHS2s are responsible for working on social determinants of health. This position requires the ability to communicate (written, oral, etc.) in English and ability to drive to various locations/sites. In this role, you will spend the majority of your time with clients in the community or in community corrections offices, including transporting clients to appointments, treatment, etc.

Typical tasks include:

• Direct Client Service and Documentation: respond to referrals from Parole and Probation Officers for care coordination, individual and family support, health promotion, and referral to community and social support services based on needs and risks of the client, based on their assessment and case plan.

• Preparing and collaborating on safety plans for clients and families.

• Health Care Assessment: Assessing individuals and recognizing social and mental health risk factors. Conducting health care screenings and coordinating health care while working directly with a Parole and Probation Officer to create a case plan.

• Health and Treatment Navigation: Assisting individuals and families in navigating health and mental health systems.

• Providing referrals and coordination for housing.

• Working collaboratively with Parole & Probation Officers

• Home visits:  these are considered an essential function of the CHS2 position as clients are often most comfortable talking about sensitive issues, supports needed and barriers to care, as well as addressing health promotion in the comfort of their own home.  You will be required to do this independently, with a partner or with a Parole and Probation Officer.

Workforce Equity:  At Multnomah County we are committed to maintaining an effective, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity, diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE:

Vision ~ Community Safety through Positive Change

The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) is recognized as a national leader in both adult and juvenile community justice. DCJ routinely consults and makes use of evidence-based practices in our program and policy development. The Department's commitment to data-informed decision-making has led DCJ to make smart investments of taxpayer dollars in supervision, sanctions, and services for the county's highest risk and highest need justice-involved individuals. DCJ makes long-term investments in its employees through the provision of education and training. The Department believes that in order to enhance public safety we must work collaboratively with the judiciary, law enforcement, schools, treatment agencies, and the community.

The Department shares information with community members, partners, and staff to keep communities safe by preventing and reducing crime and routinely evaluating which local policies support best practices. DCJ operates 24 hours a day, with nearly 650 regular, on-call, and temporary employees. The Department supervises justice-involved individuals and those defendants requiring pretrial services. DCJ's Juvenile Services Division operates the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Facility and is responsible for youth on formal and informal community supervision.

More general information about the Department of Community Justice including our mission, vision, and strategies can be found at: www.multco.us/dcj.

The Department of Community Justice's Strategic Plan (Executive Summary and Full report) can be found at: https://multco.us/file/68223/download.

*Note: This recruitment may be used to fill future regular, temporary, on-call, or limited duration status positions.

Come Find Your Why? (video)

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/Transferable Skills*:

• Education: Associates Degree or equivalent experience in Social Science, Criminal Justice, or Health Services, or related field; AND

• Experience: At least one-year experience in community outreach services providing health information, mental health information, advocacy, social support and assistance in using the health care system to individuals, groups and families.

• Must have a valid driver license.

• Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history prior to employment.

Licenses/Certificates:

• Candidates must be able to become LEDS certified within 3 months of hire.

• CPR certification is required within 6 months of hire.

• CHS/w certification within a 12 months of hire.

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. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, Criminal Justice or Health Services or related field;

• Community Health Specialist (CHS) Certification is preferred and may be required for this position in the future. If applicants do not already have the CHS certification, there is the ability to gain the certification during employment

• Experience working with Justice Involved Individuals is highly preferred

• Experience working in public safety, social services or community corrections settings; this includes working directly with law enforcement staff and their partners.

• At least 2 years of experience teaching curriculum or small group instruction;

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment. 

*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 AND EVALUATION

The Application Packet:

• Online application (required): Explain all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in the education and work experience sections of the application.

• Attach a resume (optional): Please indicate how you meet the required minimum qualifications. Attach the document to the on-line application. Be sure to explain in detail, including dates, all related work experience, paid or unpaid.

• Cover Letter (optional): Please explain why you are applying for this position and describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and any preferred qualifications for this position

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

• A phone screen, oral exam, written exam, or an application review may be used to identify the most qualified candidates

• Consideration of top candidates/Interviews

• Background Investigation/Fingerprinting

Equal Pay: 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Type of Position: This represented position is eligible for overtime and represented by the Local 88 AFSCME AFL-CIO union.

• FLSA: Non-Exempt

• Schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week

• Location: Gresham Probation Office @ 495 NE Beech Ave Gresham, OR 97030-7442. This position is designated as on-site subject to the Multnomah County Telework Policy and based on the Department’s business needs.

Multnomah County offers a comprehensive benefit package to all eligible employees. A few highlights include:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

• Defined benefit retirement plan (pension); we pick up the employee's share of the state retirement contribution (6% of subject wages)

• Generous paid leave (vacation, holidays, sick, parental, military, etc...)

• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Optional deferred compensation and flexible spending accounts

• Free annual TriMet pass

• Alternative wellness resources

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters

Every day, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

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.

Community Health Specialist