Behavioral Health Specialist - Part-Time

Join a team where you can offer compassion, dignity, and sustainable opportunities for people in need in your local community!

The Salvation Army is an inspiring place to work. With offices in every major US city and over 120 countries around the globe, it’s a place where people can invest in people on every level. In the Northwest region of the United States, we are committed to being an efficient and effective network of local offices that provide the community with resources, such as food and shelter opportunities. As one of the most impactful social service organizations in the world, we hire people who constantly seek new ways to keep us moving forward.  

Use your outreach and mental health services skills as a Behavioral Health Specialist!  

The Salvation Army is seeking a Behavioral Health Specialist to visit residents on the streets of Central Seattle and provide them with crisis intervention and individual counseling. The Behavioral Health Specialist will also assist clients with referral, linkage, collateral contacts, and other client support services. Responsibilities include establishing and managing client caseloads, developing ISP plans, conducting assessments, completing intakes for those seeking individual counseling, and maintaining up-to-date documentation in the electronic file database.

Street Level Ministries is an outreach ministry of Seattle Social Services, William Booth Center, ARC, and local corps affiliates. It is a weekly urban outreach program, serving those experiencing homelessness throughout King County. This position is for Street Level Ministries' Geographic-Based Outreach program, a grant-funded project that specifically serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the Central Seattle area living in their vehicles, encampments and other places not intended for habitation. 

Note: This is a grant-funded position which ends on 1/01/2025.

This position is part-time, non-exempt, and located in Seattle, Washington.

• Establishes and manages participant caseload, including developing Individual Service Plans
• Conducts assessment and intake for participants seeking individual counseling
• Conducts individual therapeutic intervention sessions to increase participant’s overall well-being
• Measures effectiveness of treatment modalities based on review and progress towards identified goals
• Maintain up-to-date documentation in all treatment files
• Provide crisis intervention as needed
• Collaborate with staff on the SLM GBO team
• Housing Navigators and Case Managers to move clients toward self-sufficiency
• Develop ISP, discharge, follow-up, and aftercare plans with the clients
• Other duties as assigned, including special events and seasonal activities
• Attend staff meetings as required.

• Must have an advanced clinical degree in human services, such as an MSW, MA in Clinical Psychology, or master’s in counseling
• Must have a minimum one-year experience in providing individual and/or group mental health services
• Must have the ability to develop effective treatment plans and updates
• Must have experience with discharge planning
• Must have practical verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrate professional integrity, critical thinking skills and use of sound judgement
• State licensure, preferred

• A commitment to support the mission of The Salvation Army and an appreciation of faith-based service organizations.
• An interpersonal style that is service-oriented, client-centered with a trauma-informed approach
• An ability to respond to crisis situations in a calm and effective manner
• Excellent attention to detail, procedures, processes, and policies.
• A communication style that exhibits the principles and values of the Salvation Army
• A thorough knowledge of homelessness and poverty as it relates to individuals, families, veterans, and seniors, government-funded programs, and historically underserved communities
• Demonstrates a commitment to the values of equity and inclusion by honoring diverse characteristics and expressions of personal identity
• An understanding of residential and emergency shelter program operations.
• An ability to build collaborative relationships with community mental health agencies
• Knowledge on how to effectively work with diversity in the workplace and intersectionality faced by our guests.
• An ability to maintain the confidentiality of client-protected health information.
• Position will include mobile outreach to those impacted by Behavioral Health challenges and substance use disorders, which may pose increased exposure to possible risks
• An ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Complete the Bloodborne Pathogen and other required onboarding trainings within 90 days of employment
• Possesses a valid Washington State Driver’s License and can pass The Salvation Army driver requirements
• Must successfully pass the background/reference check process

• Microsoft Products, Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point
• Working knowledge of integrated database applications and ability to use new software programs with basic training

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead
• Ability to operate telephone
• Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer
• Ability to lift up to 45 lbs.
• Ability to access and produce information from a computer
• Ability to interpret and understand written instruction

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. The Salvation Army is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified job applicants, job candidates, and employees with disabilities to ensure they enjoy equal access to all employment opportunities and benefits of employment as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. EEO is the Law.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

“The Salvation Army will comply with all governmental orders and any contractual obligations relative to COVID-19 safety measures, including mandatory vaccination of staff if required.  The Salvation Army will consider requests for exemptions from any such requirements on either religious or medical grounds.”

Once a conditional offer has been made and then accepted by the applicant, The Salvation Army may then ask specific questions about vaccination status, if applicable.  If the applicant requests an exemption, then the processes described in this summary should be followed.