Professionals in behavioral health, psychology, and substance abuse services should reconsider other areas of employment before considering work within Multnomah County Government. Historically, the organization has faced significant leadership issues. There are challenges to the continuity of services due to the extreme turnover in behavioral health and substance abuse services, which is frequently observed in the corrections area of county operations. While supervisors may be good at selling the positions during interviews, the reality often falls short of expectations.
In particular, areas such as community support services and school-based mental health have faced deception and a lack of clarity during the hiring process. In my recent interviews, I encountered embarrassing situations where the supervisors were eager to conduct the interviews. However, when we got down to asking questions and discussing my qualifications, they ruled me out for being "overqualified" and because I was not well enough aware of the community to be selected. Being out of state, the hiring committee and the supervisors were well aware. So, why waste the applicant's time and resources? Either you want someone qualified or you do not. There is no such meaning as being "overly qualified," a scapegoat phrase that hiring officials typically use. Therefore, failing to hire the best candidate and instead electing to find an unseasoned clinical professional. On two other past occasions, members of the interview committee actually fell asleep while I was speaking. This highlights a serious issue: if leaders are inattentive during interviews, what does that say about their commitment to the work and the communities they serve?
Multnomah County's leadership in social services and behavioral health has been ineffective, historically, which reflects in the ongoing challenges of significant homelessness, rampant drug use, and serious co-occurring mental health issues in Portland. My recommendation for anyone considering a position within Multnomah County is to thoroughly examine other options before pursuing roles in behavioral health, healthcare, psychology, or psychiatry. Suppose the beginning of your relationship with an organization is marked by deception. In that case, it is likely to lead to further challenges for both employees and the vulnerable populations they aim to serve. read more