Job Description

Pre-Commitment Investigator

This work matters! This recruitment is "Open Until Filled" to allow for a deeper candidate pool. Applicants will be reviewed every week, starting 04/10/2025.

The Pre-Commitment Investigator evaluates persons who are being involuntarily detained in a hospital because they are alleged to be a danger to themselves or others due to a behavioral health disorder and unable to meet their basic needs. The investigator determines if there should be no hearing, a 14-day diversion, and/or a civil commitment hearing. This position will require commuting to local tri-county hospitals on a daily basis to meet face to face with clients. Occasional team meetings in person.

As the Pre-Commitment Investigator, other duties will include:

• Conduct civil commitment investigation according to legal mandates in Oregon Revised Statute chapter 426 and Oregon Administrative Rule 309-033.
• Interview alleged mentally ill persons in hospital settings.
• Conduct thorough assessment of alleged mentally ill person to include mental status and diagnostic impressions, crisis assessment, and risk assessment.
• Review hospital records; obtain and review other pertinent records/documents such as police reports.
• Interview family members of alleged mentally ill persons, their treatment providers, and witnesses of alleged dangerousness.
• Consult with psychiatric treatment providers regarding alleged mentally ill persons' potential for danger to self or other, up to and including life threatening danger, recommended treatment and person's ability to engage in such treatment on a voluntary basis.
• Determine least restrictive mental health treatment options to mitigate potential danger.
• Monitor progress of inpatient treatment and its efficacy in mitigating risk of danger.
• Determine whether an alleged mentally ill person should be recommended for civil commitment hearing.

Reporting

• Prepare a written report of findings of each investigation.
• Prepare and file legal documents to make recommendations to the circuit court for each investigation regarding whether legal criteria are met for the alleged mentally ill person to have a civil commitment hearing.
• Maintain clinical records per applicable State laws and County Behavioral Health Division policy.
• Complete data reporting forms for each investigation.

Court and Community Liaison

• Prepare cases for civil commitment hearings.
• File all documents with the Court.
• Communicate with attorneys, judicial staff, and judges.
• Attend civil commitment hearings.
• Coordinate witnesses to provide testimony at civil commitment hearings.
• May testify at civil commitment hearings.
• Represent Behavioral Health Division and Health Department policies regarding behavioral health issues and treatment to other public agencies and the community.

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website.

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 (REQUIRED):

Education/Certification: Master's degree from an accredited college or university in the mental health field with major coursework in social science, or a related field demonstrating the capacity for the required knowledge and skills to meet provider Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP-C) credentialing requirements as required by Oregon Administrative Rules and the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon - more information can be found at MHACBO website. See qualified degrees listed below:

• Master degree in psychology.
• Master degree in social work.
• Master degree in a behavioral science field.

Experience/Certification: Meet QMHP-C requirements and/or CSWA and have completed two (2) years of post-graduate clinical experience in a mental health treatment setting.

Other Certification: Possession of, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, an active and valid registration as a Mental Health Investigator Certification from the Oregon Health Authority.

Other:

• This position requires a background investigation, which may include being fingerprinted.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Requires use of a personal vehicle to travel to assigned hospital sites.

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.

• Appropriate Oregon Licensing Board LCSW, LCP, Clinical Psychologist.
• Leadership experience in the crisis field.
• Leads with race through actions and advocacy with internal programs, with community partners and across departments throughout the county.
• Demonstrate the ability to flex style when faced with myriad dimensions of culture in order to be effective across cultural context.
• Respect and appreciation for ethnic and cultural diversity.
• Knowledge of challenges and barriers faced by those with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) and the systems they encounter in Residential Services, Adult Protective Services and Crisis Services.
• Ability to collaborate and build relationships to achieve positive work outcomes.
• Ability to maintain a safe and healthful workplace.
• High degree of resilience, is outcome driven and can thrive in an environment of rapid change while effectively managing pressure in an effective and professional manner.

*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 & Evaluation (REQUIRED): The Application Packet: You must submit ALL requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

1. Attach a Resume demonstrating you meeting minimum qualifications; AND

2. Attach a Cover Letter addressing the following:

• Demonstrate your experience working with diverse vulnerable populations; and
• How you meet the qualifications for this position, including your current certifications; and
• Why you are interested in the position; AND

3. Attach a copy of your QMHP-C Certification and/or Oregon Licensure

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the 'Overview' and 'To Qualify' sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process.

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
• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Background, reference, and education checks

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Additional Information:

Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime

Type: Represented

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Salary/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.

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

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