Mental Health Technician Jobs in Columbus, OH
Mental Health Technician jobs in Columbus are in strong demand, concentrated in the Short North, Hilliard, and Westerville corridors across inpatient psychiatric facilities, community behavioral health centers, and residential treatment programs. Employers hiring right now include Nationwide Children's Hospital, SUN Behavioral Columbus, and State of Ohio. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 40+ Mental Health Technician jobs
Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.
What you’ll do at DBH:
The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is seeking a skilled Portfolio Manager to help drive Ohio’s statewide efforts to address opioid use and strengthen community-based prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. This role oversees a portfolio of projects funded through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant, ensuring that programs and partners have the support, guidance, and resources needed to achieve measurable impact.
Position Overview
This position plays a key role in advancing Ohio’s efforts to strengthen prevention, expand treatment access, and support recovery for individuals, families, and communities affected by opioid use. Your leadership helps ensure that statewide strategies translate into real, meaningful outcomes.
- Lead and coordinate multiple grant-funded initiatives that advance Ohio’s response to opioid-related challenges, focusing on areas such as workforce development, access to care, prevention strategies, and community resilience.
- Partner with local agencies, health systems, and community organizations to align program goals, address barriers, and ensure services work together seamlessly.
- Manage grants and contracts, including selecting sub-awardees, monitoring progress, and ensuring compliance with timelines and requirements.
- Identify data needs and use program findings to guide quality improvement efforts and technical assistance.
- Facilitate meetings, build relationships with stakeholders across sectors (e.g., health care, behavioral health, criminal justice, child welfare), and collaborate on system-level solutions.
- Develop and maintain project plans, documentation, and reports for state, local, and federal partners.
- Assess training needs, help design training programs, and coordinate events or learning opportunities for partner organizations.
- Support the implementation of evidence-based practices, including improving referral pathways and integrating services within community settings.
- Contribute to strategic planning and continuous improvement activities across assigned projects.
This is an hourly position and is exempt from the bargaining units, with a pay range of 14 on the E1 Exempt Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
- Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Position Qualifications
For all “programmatic” positions, completion of undergraduate core program in one of following fields: mental health & developmental disabilities technology, social work or comparable field (e.g., child & family community services), special education, psychology or rehabilitation or 24 mos. exp. in development & implementation of treatment/ habilitation plans for persons who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled & working as part of interdisciplinary team to assess consumers'/residents' needs & abilities; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in state & federal regulations, standards & court orders governing care, custody, treatment, programming & environment of consumers/residents in mental health or developmental centers, or regulating drug treatment center operations or federally funded drug abuse services, or governing delivery of psychiatric services in adult correctional institution, or affecting community mental health programs (i.e., category of state & federal regulations, standards & court orders must be linked directly to type of facility & services being provided).
For all “administration staff” positions, completion of undergraduate core program in business administration/management sciences or 12 mos. exp. developing goals, objectives, policies & procedures of operational unit or program of agency or firm & monitoring implementation of same.
In addition to one of preceding categories (i.e., programmatic positions or administrative staff), 6 mos. trg. in supervisory principles/techniques or 6 mos. exp. scheduling, monitoring & evaluating personnel; 6 mos. trg. in budgeting or 6 mos. exp. determining budget needs & spending for operational unit or program of agency or firm; 6 mos. trg. in employee training & development or 6 mos. exp. writing training materials or conducting training; 3 mos. trg. in manpower planning or 3 mos. exp. scheduling personnel for adequate coverage & making staff projections.
- Or 6 mos. exp. as Mental Health Administrator 3, 65223.
- Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
- Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:
All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, and active disciplinary record.
UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Travel may be required; may be exposed to communicable diseases & consumers/residents who may display erratic or violent behavior.
Primary Job Skill: Project Management
Technical Skills: Grants Administration, Budgeting, Planning and Development, Project Management
Professional Skills: Problem Solving Presenting, Public Speaking, Verbal Communication, Attention to Detail
Required Educational Transcripts
Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.
Supplemental Information
Application Procedures
To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.
Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.
ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free WorkplaceThe State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.
What you’ll do at DBH:
The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is seeking a skilled Portfolio Manager to help drive Ohio’s statewide efforts to address opioid use and strengthen community-based prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. This role oversees a portfolio of projects funded through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant, ensuring that programs and partners have the support, guidance, and resources needed to achieve measurable impact.
Position Overview
This position plays a key role in advancing Ohio’s efforts to strengthen prevention, expand treatment access, and support recovery for individuals, families, and communities affected by opioid use. Your leadership helps ensure that statewide strategies translate into real, meaningful outcomes.
- Lead and coordinate multiple grant-funded initiatives that advance Ohio’s response to opioid-related challenges, focusing on areas such as workforce development, access to care, prevention strategies, and community resilience.
- Partner with local agencies, health systems, and community organizations to align program goals, address barriers, and ensure services work together seamlessly.
- Manage grants and contracts, including selecting sub-awardees, monitoring progress, and ensuring compliance with timelines and requirements.
- Identify data needs and use program findings to guide quality improvement efforts and technical assistance.
- Facilitate meetings, build relationships with stakeholders across sectors (e.g., health care, behavioral health, criminal justice, child welfare), and collaborate on system-level solutions.
- Develop and maintain project plans, documentation, and reports for state, local, and federal partners.
- Assess training needs, help design training programs, and coordinate events or learning opportunities for partner organizations.
- Support the implementation of evidence-based practices, including improving referral pathways and integrating services within community settings.
- Contribute to strategic planning and continuous improvement activities across assigned projects.
This is an hourly position and is exempt from the bargaining units, with a pay range of 14 on the E1 Exempt Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
- Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Position Qualifications
For all “programmatic” positions, completion of undergraduate core program in one of following fields: mental health & developmental disabilities technology, social work or comparable field (e.g., child & family community services), special education, psychology or rehabilitation or 24 mos. exp. in development & implementation of treatment/ habilitation plans for persons who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled & working as part of interdisciplinary team to assess consumers'/residents' needs & abilities; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in state & federal regulations, standards & court orders governing care, custody, treatment, programming & environment of consumers/residents in mental health or developmental centers, or regulating drug treatment center operations or federally funded drug abuse services, or governing delivery of psychiatric services in adult correctional institution, or affecting community mental health programs (i.e., category of state & federal regulations, standards & court orders must be linked directly to type of facility & services being provided).
For all “administration staff” positions, completion of undergraduate core program in business administration/management sciences or 12 mos. exp. developing goals, objectives, policies & procedures of operational unit or program of agency or firm & monitoring implementation of same.
In addition to one of preceding categories (i.e., programmatic positions or administrative staff), 6 mos. trg. in supervisory principles/techniques or 6 mos. exp. scheduling, monitoring & evaluating personnel; 6 mos. trg. in budgeting or 6 mos. exp. determining budget needs & spending for operational unit or program of agency or firm; 6 mos. trg. in employee training & development or 6 mos. exp. writing training materials or conducting training; 3 mos. trg. in manpower planning or 3 mos. exp. scheduling personnel for adequate coverage & making staff projections.
- Or 6 mos. exp. as Mental Health Administrator 3, 65223.
- Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
- Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:
All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, and active disciplinary record.
UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Travel may be required; may be exposed to communicable diseases & consumers/residents who may display erratic or violent behavior.
Primary Job Skill: Project Management
Technical Skills: Grants Administration, Budgeting, Planning and Development, Project Management
Professional Skills: Problem Solving Presenting, Public Speaking, Verbal Communication, Attention to Detail
Required Educational Transcripts
Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.
Supplemental Information
Application Procedures
To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.
Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.
ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free WorkplaceThe State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
See All 40 Mental Health Technician Jobs in Columbus
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Find Mental Health Technician JobsMental Health Technician Job Market in Columbus
Who's Hiring
- Nationwide Children's Hospital10
- SUN Behavioral Columbus8
- State of Ohio4
- Ellie Mental Health3
- US Department of Veterans Affairs2
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Mental Health Technician Jobs in Columbus: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mental health technician job in Columbus?
Columbus hiring concentrates in three areas: large inpatient psychiatric units attached to major hospital systems on the east and northwest sides, community mental health agencies serving Franklin County, and residential facilities for adolescents and adults in the suburbs. Candidates with de-escalation training, CPR certification, and any direct behavioral health experience move to the top of the list. Targeting hospital-affiliated behavioral health departments and county-contracted nonprofits gives you the broadest set of openings in this market.
Which companies hire mental health technicians in Columbus?
Columbus mental health technician roles are posted by Nationwide Children's Hospital, SUN Behavioral Columbus, and State of Ohio and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The local market is anchored by large hospital networks with dedicated behavioral health campuses, multi-site community mental health organizations, and privately operated residential treatment centers spread across Franklin and surrounding counties.
Are there remote mental health technician jobs in Columbus?
Yes, though most openings require in-person work given the hands-on, patient-facing nature of the role. About 9% of mental health technician openings tied to Columbus are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions tend to involve care coordination, crisis line support, or telehealth intake roles rather than direct floor-level patient observation.
How can I get a mental health technician job in Columbus with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Columbus is applying to residential group homes and crisis stabilization units, which routinely hire applicants with a high school diploma and a willingness to complete on-the-job training. Columbus-area community mental health agencies and county board programs often post peer support or behavioral health aide roles that serve as a direct stepping stone. Completing a basic CPI or de-escalation course before applying signals readiness and separates first-time applicants from the competition.
Which industries hire the most mental health technicians in Columbus?
The sectors hiring the most mental health technicians in Columbus are Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Columbus's concentration of major hospital networks, a well-funded county behavioral health system, and a growing residential treatment sector makes it one of the more active mid-sized markets in Ohio for this role.
See All 40 Mental Health Technician Jobs in Columbus
Find roles in Columbus that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mental Health Technician Jobs