Mental Health Security Technician | Salem

Initial posting date: 08/05/2026 • Application deadline: 09/07/2026

About the Role

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon State Hospital (OSH) Security program in Salem, Oregon has multiple career opportunities for a Mental Health Security Technician. The Oregon State Hospital provides patient-centered, psychiatric treatment for adults from throughout the state who need hospital-level care. Our primary goal is to help people recover from their illness and return to the community. Our services include psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as community outreach and peer support.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control access points, assess physical security, conduct video surveillance monitoring, and perform interior and exterior patrols to monitor for security breaches and unauthorized individuals on property.
• Emergency response: respond to emergencies, call for assistance, and manage patient conduct.
• Behavior management: monitor patients' status, provide physical intervention assistance, and restrain combative or violent patients.
• Develop and implement security protocols and maintain knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to mental health security.
• Provide transportation for patients for in-house as well as off-campus outings and appointments, using restraints when necessary.
• Prepare clear and concise incident reports and other documents used to communicate details of all significant events.
• Provide customer service and support to all patients, staff, and visitors.
• Assist with patient admissions, process mail, contact Oregon State Police as needed, distribute badges and keys, and collect and process evidence for ongoing investigations.

Working Conditions

• Provides care to patients who may present a danger to themselves or others.
• Work may involve exposure to infectious disease, noise, bodily fluids, hazardous medications, behavioral interventions, and manual or mechanical restraints.
• Employees must be able to frequently move up to 20 pounds, occasionally move up to 60 pounds vertically, and perform prolonged standing, bending, twisting, and squatting.
• Schedules may change with little notice and may include overtime or double shifts.
• Occasional driving or accompanying patients in vehicles may also be required.

Requirements

• One year of experience providing security services; OR
• One year of experience providing direct care to patients in a mental health setting.

Desired Attributes

• Mental Health or Hospital Experience – Understanding of mental health conditions, trauma-informed care.
• Security or Law Enforcement Experience – relevant experience in security, law enforcement, or corrections.
• Security Camera / Alarm Monitoring Experience.
• De-escalation skills – Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and use non-violent interventions.
• Leadership Skills – Motivation skills, ethical behavior, discretion, and sound decision-making.
• Team Collaboration – Works well with clinical staff, hospital leadership, and peers.
• Crisis Response – Ability to respond calmly and effectively in high-stress situations.
• Written and Verbal Communication Skills – Clarity, empathy, and professionalism in verbal and written communication.

Special Requirements

To be hired, you must have a criminal records and driving records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost.
• Optional life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Employee benefits include 11 paid holidays, 3 personal business days, 8 hours of monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours per month.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Pay

$4,512–$5,691 per month. The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%.