Direct Support Crisis Specialist – Salem, Lebanon, Portland Area, Eugene, Newberg, and Brooks

Initial Posting Date:

09/02/2025

Application Deadline:

/

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$4,409 - $5,573

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Direct Support Crisis Specialist – Salem, Lebanon, Portland Area, Eugene, Newberg, and Brooks

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Salary Note: The pay listed on this job posting is the base monthly salary range for full-time work. The salary for employees working other than full time will vary based on the hours worked. Hourly salary range is: $26.48 - $32.15.

Opportunity awaits! Are you ready to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities, often with co-occurring mental health diagnoses? Do you have paid or unpaid caregiving experience or experience volunteering with seniors, children, or people with disabilities? Would you like to work in a diverse and supportive team environment? Then, come #JoinTeamSACU!

The Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU) is looking to fill permanent, full-time and job share (sharing a full-time job with another employee) Direct Support Crisis Specialist openings as they occur in our residential group homes located in the Portland Metro Area, Salem area, Lebanon, Eugene, Newberg, and Brooks.

Currently we need applicants for the following locations: Eugene, Lebanon, and the Salem Area. If you are interested in other locations, please feel free to apply; however, be aware it may be a while before we have an opening in your preferred location. Openings occur regularly throughout our organization; however, we are not able to predict when those openings will occur.

This job posting is open until further notice. We will review applications weekly. Please apply now as we could close this job posting at any time.

This is an ongoing selection process, and we will be scheduling interviews throughout the process.

You may be offered a job for any of the following shifts depending on what openings are available at that time: days, evenings, nights, weekends, vacation relief, or other various shifts.

Shift Definitions:

Day shift is a set schedule from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 days in a row, with 2 days off.

Evening shift is a set schedule from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., 5 days in a row, with 2 days off.

Night shift is a set schedule from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., 4 days in a row, with 3 days off.

Vacation Relief shift has varied hours, shifts, and days off. Vacation Relief (VR) will not be scheduled for more than 8-hours unless filling in for a 10-hour shift, a 13 hour and 20-minute shift, a 16-hour shift, or unless mutually agreed with management. Every good faith effort shall be made to allow 10 hours between shifts. VR may waive this obligation.

Float Pool shift consists of 8-hour shifts unless mutually agreed upon with management to work other shifts (i.e., a 16-hour shift, a 13-hour and 20-minute shift, 4 - 10-hour shifts, etc.). Schedules will be set for periods of 30 days at a time, location of shift within the island will vary depending on the need for staffing. An island consists of 2 to 4 houses.

Employees will be notified of a shift change 10 days in advance when possible but in no instances shall employees be given less than a 7-day notice unless mutually agreed upon.

Float Pool Staff shall receive an additional 10% above their base pay for the duration of the assignment.

Float Pool Staff will be considered for working at another location (portability) within the island first even if they are working an overtime shift.

Summary Of Duties

As an employee working within the Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU), you will be a part of a program that provides 24-hour residential care to Oregonians with intellectual/developmental disabilities, often with co-occurring mental health diagnoses, whose support needs exceed the supports offered or provided by other community-based residential programs. SACU provides development and support to assist individuals in safely transitioning back to their home community. We model positive attitudes while offering assistance with access to: health and medical supports, psychological services, emotional and behavioral support, educational supports. SACU staff also provide life skills training, recreational opportunities and community integration. SACU is dedicated to providing the support necessary to maintain the quality of life, achieve the highest possible level of independence and promote social opportunities, which benefit the individuals served and their communities.

We operate 18 residential group homes along the I-5 corridor from Portland to Eugene.

As a Direct Support Crisis Specialist, you will:

• Provide direct care and/or support in a 24-hour, 7 days per week residential group home to children and adults in behavioral supports, safety, personal care, nutrition, housekeeping, health care, and other daily activities within the home and the community.
• Provide supports in a manner that honors the wishes and culture of the individuals supported while maintaining health and safety.
• Assist individuals with accessing their community and encourage participation in educational and recreational activities.
• Make observations and document individuals' activities, behavior, and progress.
• Administer medications and treatments under the direction of nursing staff and medical professionals.
• Assist individuals with activities of daily living and hygiene needs which may include personal care, bathing, toileting, and feeding.
• Document and track all aspects of care, answer phones, and maintain confidentiality.
• Prepare meals and complete housekeeping tasks.

Minimum Qualifications

A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.

Eighteen months of experience providing direct individual care or training in a related field of human services (i.e., providing assistance to supported individuals or groups with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental and physical disabilities, or substance abuse).

Or

An Associate or higher-level degree in a related human services field.

Or

A combination of education and experience as defined above.

Experience Note: Your paid or unpaid caregiving experience or experience volunteering with seniors, children, or people with disabilities may help you to meet the qualifications for these positions. This experience may include making and attending medical or psychiatric appointments, medication assistance, assisting with daily personal care, assisting with activities of daily living, such as: personal or grocery shopping, doing housework, cooking, and providing transportation, etc.

Please include all paid and unpaid caregiving experience in the job history portion of your application or as work experience on your resume.

• Your work experience should include the name of the employer, dates you worked for the employer (month and year), and whether the experience is paid or unpaid.
• For unpaid experience, please include whether the experience is as a volunteer (working for an organization such as ARC, care facility, community action group, etc.) or is lived experience (taking care of a family member, neighbor, etc.). Lived experience may substitute for up to 6 months of the required experience.
• Experience must be included in your materials for it to be considered.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience following written and verbal instructions.
• Experience communicating clearly in writing and directly with a variety of individuals and adjusting your communication style to meet the needs and communication style of the recipient.
• Experience resolving conflicts in a professional and timely manner.
• Experience using computers, tablets, and cell phones for documenting, reporting, and communicating information (e.g., Internet, Microsoft Office applications, Therap, etc.).
• Experience being a dependable resource for a team to achieve a common goal.
• Experience following behavior and mental health supports and/or medical orders.
• Experience monitoring and/or assisting individuals who experience mental, emotional, behavior, physical or medical challenges.

Attention all candidates! Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.

• Please make sure your application materials, resume and job history, are clearly outlined as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range. Note: Your resume may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.
• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

Working Conditions

• You must have a valid license to drive, and you must have and maintain an acceptable driving record to transport individuals by state van or car.
• You will work in a residential group home environment, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• You will work in a variety of settings both within the residential group homes and in the community.
• Expect work hours and shifts in this position to include any shift, including weekends, nights, and holidays depending on your assigned work schedule.
• You must be able to work occasional overtime to ensure adequate staffing requirements.
• You will occasionally be transferred to work shifts at other nearby worksites.
• You will work with individuals who experience an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD) and co-occurring mental health disorder.
• You will have frequent contact with individuals requiring alertness and sensitivity to their needs.
• At times you will be exposed to individuals who are justice-involved or committed, and/or individuals who may often experience a trauma response or crisis that may be communicated in significant emotional or physical behaviors towards themselves or others.
• There is frequent daily lifting up to 75 pounds involving transferring, positioning and moving individuals and/or moving program supplies. You will frequently squat, bend, and stoop.
• You must be able to engage and maintain Oregon Intervention System (OIS) approved restraints for one (1) hour or less.

Background Checks And Requirements

• If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification.  
• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
• The Department of Human Services is a drug free workplace. All applicants will be subject to drug testing for Narcotics, Methamphetamine, and other controlled substances. 
• Your driving record must meet the qualifications of the ODHS SACU Driving Policy and will be considered unacceptable for offenses, including, but not limited to any misdemeanor or felony traffic offense in the last 24 months. 

If you are offered a position, you will attend a three-week paid in-person training at our central office in Salem and you must become certified during this New Employee Orientation in the following:

• First Aid/CPR Certification - Requiring you to complete compressions in a kneeling position.
• Oregon Intervention System Certification (OIS) - Requiring you to physically hold an individual for safety while maintaining an approved restraint on clients which may involve quick movements, changes in physical positioning, and verbal communication with coworkers. 
• Medication Administration Certification - Requiring you to demonstrate competency in completing doctor's orders, appropriate passing of medications to clients, appropriate documentation, and appropriate procedures for emergencies. 

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).

• Amazing Benefits Package.

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• These positions are part of the Police and Fire pension plan, which allows you to retire with full benefits after 25 years of service.
• A variety of resources and benefits are offered through the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union.

Employment Preference

Veterans’ Preference:

• Veterans’ Preference Information.

• How to submit your Veteran documents for preference. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

General Information

• We are filling permanent, full-time and job share (sharing a full-time job with another employee) positions.
• Permanent positions are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union.
• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.
• To learn about the many options for a career in the field of developmental disabilities services please visit Impact Oregon.

Contact Information

We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions, or job-specific questions.

• The recruiter for this position is Rebecca Wilson. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-183761.
• Email: REBECCA.A.WILSON@odhs.oregon.gov.
• Phone (call or text): 503-881-9248.