Director, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (EMS5/DBHR)

DESCRIPTION

This recruitment is posted continuously. Application review will begin as early as 12/04/2023 and you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.
In addition to being a skilled and respected Behavioral Health professional, we are seeking a visionary, with a passion for mental health, substance use disorder recovery and prevention efforts. If you are committed to utilizing evidence based and innovative approaches to address the needs of very diverse groups, this opportunity may be for you! Persons with lived experience with Behavioral Health systems are encouraged to apply.

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

Division philosophy statement:
The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) values and seeks diversity, equity, and inclusion as integral to the Behavioral Health field. We support, embrace, and celebrate everyone’s uniqueness, promote inclusion, and commit to remove systemic barriers that affect our workforce, our providers, and the people that receive prevention, treatment, and/or recovery support services.

About the division:
DBHR is responsible for administering the publicly-funded community mental health, substance use disorder, and problem gambling service delivery systems available within the State of Washington. Division-administered programs serve children, adolescents and adults, and their family members, experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, alcohol and other substance use disorders, or at risk of developing a substance use disorder, problem gambling, or with a combination of these issues. Direct, community-based prevention, intervention, outreach and engagement, treatment and Recovery support services are contracted for through Managed Care Organizations, Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations, Tribal Governments, County Governments or direct to community based service organizations. Individuals that need Behavioral Health treatment services typically are enrolled in Medicaid or are low-income and meeting statutory definitions for priority need. DBHR works closely with HCA divisional and statewide system partners to serve individuals effectively and efficiently.

About the position:
At the Health Care Authority, this position is the appointing authority for DBHR and reports directly to the HCA Director.
The Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Director provides executive leadership, overall direction, and strategic vision to the State of Washington’s community Behavioral Health system. The position works with tribal governments and a variety of stakeholders including the Governor’s office, other state agencies, federal partners, and community organizations.
This position serves and is recognized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) as:

• The Single State Authority (SSA) representative responsible for the administration of the State Substance Use Disorder program on behalf of the State of Washington. This includes administration of federal grants and representing the Health Care Authority in national associations; AND
• The Single State Agency (SSA) representative (Mental Health Commissioner) responsible for the administration of the State mental health program on behalf of the Health Care Authority. This includes administration of federal grants and representing the HCA in national associations.

Major responsibilities for this position include:

• Work with other HCA divisions to organize, direct, and manage statewide contracts for services to provide prevention, intervention/outreach/engagement, crisis, treatment and Recovery support services for substance use and substance use disorders.
• Develops and implements policy for the public community mental health service delivery system through contracts with regional administrative entities – Managed Care Organizations and Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations – which provide crisis, community hospital, and outpatient mental Health and substance use disorder services.
• Develop, establish, administer, and ensure smooth operation of Regional Treatment Facilities for inpatient community Behavioral Health services.
• Plan and implement prevention, early intervention, outreach/engagement, crisis, treatment, and Recovery support service programs of potential community Behavioral Health needs.
• Provide information/education services, and research activities necessary to administer the mental Health and substance use disorder services provided by community Behavioral Health providers statewide.
• Develop, implement, monitor, administer, and provide oversight to the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment programs.

This position is eligible to telework but is frequently required to attend in-person on-site and off-site meetings and other events, including travel within and out-of-state, to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA may choose, but is not required, to support out-of-state telework on a case-by-case basis.
DUTIES

Some of what you will do:
Leadership:

• Provide executive leadership and oversight to the Division in order to meet the mission, goals, and objectives.
• Determine immediate and long-term goals for the Division and the community Behavioral Health service delivery system.
• Set statewide policy and program direction to support the Health and safety of people with Behavioral Health needs for all Washington residents statewide.

Program:

• Set direction, expectations, and management of the state’s community Behavioral Health system.
• Develop, implement, monitor, administer, and provide oversight to the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Gambling Prevention and Treatment and Children’s Mental Health Initiative.

Management and Stakeholders:

• Respond to legislative inquiries from policy direction to questions about specific constituent concerns.
• Inform and consult with the HCA Director and executive team.
• Coordinate strategic goals with other HCA and community administered human services programs.

Budget:

• Provide executive oversight of a biennial budget of $2.5 billion.
• Ensure funds appropriated to DBHR are spent in accordance with legislative and program intent.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:
Qualifying candidates will meet all of the following criteria:

• Master’s or other advanced degree in social services, community health education, public administration, or a related field;
• 5 years of experience working in public Behavioral Health systems; AND
• 5 years working as a senior level Behavioral Health administrator with responsibilities over multiple program areas.

Note: Additional relevant experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
Required competencies:

• Extensive leadership skills demonstrated through extensive knowledge and management of multiple, complex statewide Behavioral Health programs with associated policy and program risk.
• Experience developing and directing Behavioral Health policy implementation.
• Command of advanced principles of management, including budget development and management, strategic planning, and staff recruitment and retention.
• Direct knowledge of federal, state, local, and private funding sources available to support substance use disorder and mental health services.
• Knowledge of federal and state Behavioral Health and Medicaid managed care regulations.
• Knowledge of Behavioral Health managed care principles and contract issues related to federal funding, medical necessity, resource management, access, quality improvement, cultural competency, and provider contracting.
• Knowledge of protocols and processes of the executive and legislative branches of state and local government.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders including consumers, advocates, providers, state and local government officials and/or legislators and legislative staff in the analysis/development of policies and procedures, WAC, and statute for management of publicly funded substance use and mental health services.
• Ability to work collaboratively to plan, analyze, and problem solve; identify policy needs; develop goals and objectives; and use date for decision-making.
• Project management skills and experience. Ability to direct complex and/or design innovative and new Behavioral Health programs and to design, implement and evaluate strategic and tactical plans, evaluation tools, and public education campaigns.

Preferred qualifications:
Well-versed in the usage of evidence-based practices to address the prevention, intervention, treatment, and Recovery supports for mental Health and substance use disorder conditions.

How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

About HCA:
Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its Behavioral Health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and Behavioral Health and Recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care including Behavioral Health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides Behavioral Health prevention, crisis, and Recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• Tuition reimbursement
• And free parking!

Notes:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.
HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at 360.725.0945 or jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov.