Behavioral Health Program Administrator (WM2) – Olympia

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Washington State Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) is seeking a visionary senior-level administrator to lead the agency's behavioral health enterprise — shaping how mental health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorder services are designed, delivered, and continuously improved for young people across the state. This is a rare opportunity to serve as the agency's foremost behavioral health authority: driving statewide strategy, championing evidence-based care, and ensuring that every young person in JR's care has access to developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive treatment. As Administrator of Behavioral Health Services, you will serve as the agency's statewide subject matter expert for all MH, SUD, and co-occurring disorder (COD) programming. You will lead service implementation, quality assurance, and legal and regulatory compliance — including alignment with WAC 246-341, Federal 42 CFR, HIPAA, and national accreditation standards. Working in close partnership with the Medical Director on innovative OUD and medical/behavioral interventions, and with the Mental Health Director on clinical service enhancement, you will drive full integration of co-occurring disorder treatment across all levels of care. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in behavioral health administration, a sophisticated understanding of youth-serving systems, and the leadership presence to operate effectively across clinical, operational, legislative, and intergovernmental settings. They possess demonstrated command of WAC/RCW compliance, experience with Medicaid systems and managed care partnerships, and a track record of building high-performing clinical teams. They will be equally comfortable authoring policy analysis for the Legislature and mentoring frontline clinical program managers. Experience with co-occurring disorder treatment integration and commitment to culturally and developmentally responsive care are essential. Join us in shaping the future of youth behavioral health in Washington State. This is a senior leadership role with statewide reach and genuine impact — for young people, families, communities, and for a field that demands courageous, skilled, and compassionate vision and execution. We encourage applications from leaders with lived experience and deep commitment to equity in behavioral health.

Requirements

• Twelve years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health administration to include supervision, program planning, implementation, oversight/compliance, budgeting, contract development, management of statewide or large-scale projects, and understanding of public sector policy and regulation.
• OR A Master’s degree in social service-related discipline from an accredited university, AND four years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health administration to include supervision, program planning, implementation, oversight/compliance, budgeting, contract development, management of statewide or large-scale projects, and understanding of public sector policy and regulation.
• OR A Bachelor’s degree in social service-related discipline from an accredited university, AND six years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health administration to include supervision, program planning, implementation, oversight/compliance, budgeting, contract development, management of statewide or large-scale projects, and understanding of public sector policy and regulation.
• OR An Associate’s degree in social service-related discipline from an accredited university, AND eight years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health administration to include supervision, program planning, implementation, oversight/compliance, budgeting, contract development, management of statewide or large-scale projects, and understanding of public sector policy and regulation.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree with a major study of Public health, Healthcare Administration, Social Sciences, or Social Work and in social services/behavioral health field and six years of experience in behavioral health administration, implementation and oversight, staff supervision, budgeting and contract development; management of statewide projects and understanding of DCYF/JR policies and procedures.
• Project management certification or advanced LEAN training.
• Comprehensive experience, knowledge and commitment to the principles, methods and service delivery practices of behavioral health, particularly evidence-based and emerging best practices.
• A clear vision for the operation of an integrated substance abuse and mental health services program.
• A strong clinical background.
• Knowledge of state/federal behavioral health funding, service systems and practices, and major changes in healthcare such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid 1115 Waiver (Reentry), and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
• Understanding of behavioral health financial management, budget analysis and preparations.
• Capacity to develop, organize and direct complex projects independently.

Responsibilities

• Supervise SUD and MH Clinical Consultants, who in turn supervise treatment and intervention specialists at secure facilities.
• Partner with Medical & Behavioral Health team members, regional and facility leaders, and local clinical/administrative personnel to evaluate and refine assessment processes and levels of SUD/co-occurring treatment provided at institutions.
• Provide technical assistance and contract monitoring with community-based behavioral health providers to ensure effective and efficient execution of statements of work.
• Assure Behavioral Health operations comply with established standards, requirements, internal controls, regulations, and policies and procedures.
• Provide administrative support and oversite of all JR certified substance abuse treatment services.
• Provide frequent on-site consultation and technical expertise to administrators, clinicians, program leaders, direct service personnel, community-based organizations, and the public concerning behavioral health issues and activities within JR and with contracted providers.
• Oversee periodical audits and quality assurance observations of programs and professional licensures at secure facilities, and with contracted community-based providers.
• Partner with institution clinicians/administrators to establish and maintain a system of opioid/overdose prevention education.
• Implement and manage a system for tracking young people/staff completion of education and treatment activities and provide reporting to agency leadership.
• Responsible for grant development, planning, training, oversight, and ongoing quality assurance for implementation and maintenance of programs related to Behavioral Health Programming.
• Participate in the development of the annual budget, analyze and review budgetary and financial data, control expenditure, and maximize revenue generation.
• Monitor and analyze assigned operations for financial and program effectiveness, operational efficiency, and capacity to meet enterprise needs.
• Regular travel throughout the state to support facilities.

Benefits

• The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.
• Applicants selected for an interview are required to pass a national fingerprint background check and complete a questionnaire mandated by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) inquiring about any sexual misconduct.
• This position requires at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
• Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.
• Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission).
• The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior