Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Administrator (HCPM/DBHR)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

9d•Remote

About The Position

The Washington State Health Care Authority’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is hiring a Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Administrator (Health Care Program Manager) to lead strategy and implementation for Washington’s statewide approach to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment for people involved in the criminal legal system, across jails, prisons, courts, and law enforcement. The role oversees policy and administration of the $30 million Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA), responds to applicable state and federal policy changes, and translates legislation and policy into practical plans with measurable outcomes. The position is part of the Criminal Legal Systems & Blake Projects Unit within DBHR’s Adult Substance Use Disorder Treatment Section. It is a full-time, permanent, remote position with occasional travel and in-person meetings or events. Employees must be Washington State residents by their first day and report to the Olympia office on their first and final days. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs and supervisor approval. The role works with counties, regions, behavioral health agencies, courts, Tribes, community partners, legislators, and state and federal partners. It leads statewide efforts to improve treatment and recovery for people involved in the criminal legal system, including work related to the Medicaid 1115 reentry waiver, therapeutic courts, medications for opioid use disorder, overdose prevention, reentry, and racial and ethnic disparities.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience translating organizational priorities, legislative direction, health care policy, and/or emerging program needs into short- and long-term strategies, program objectives, implementation plans, and measurable outcomes.
Demonstrated experience establishing performance expectations and assessing program quality, effectiveness, outcomes, risks, and operational performance.
Demonstrated ability to identify and manage significant programmatic risks, including regulatory, fiscal, contractual, operational, and/or reputational risks, and establish controls, mitigation strategies, and corrective actions.
Demonstrated ability to manage and build consensus among cross-system partners, such as criminal legal system staff, advocates, providers, and state and local government officials, while establishing accountability and resolving competing priorities.
Demonstrated knowledge of national and local best practices in behavioral health care in criminal legal system settings, including evidence-based and research-based practices.
Demonstrated proficiency in mental illness and substance use disorders.
Demonstrated commitment to equity for individuals with behavioral health disorders involved in the criminal legal system.
Demonstrated knowledge of the Washington State drug policy landscape.
Ability to consider equity in decisions, processes, and day-to-day work.
Ability to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experience, and continuously improving work and service.
Ability to meet others’ needs by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions.
Applicants must include a cover letter, resume, and three professional references in the application; at least one reference must be a current or recent supervisor.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in public health, behavioral health, public administration, business administration, social work, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated consultative or supervisory experience in health services, social services, Medicaid, behavioral health, or other health care programs.
Experience as a Health Care Program Specialist in state government.
Demonstrated experience developing, writing, administering, and managing grants, including monitoring requirements, deliverables, and outcomes.
Demonstrated experience managing contracts, including monitoring performance, deliverables, compliance, and contract requirements.
Demonstrated experience applying knowledge of the Washington State Medicaid landscape, behavioral health systems, and the needs of individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders.
Demonstrated ability to manage program budgets, expenditures, contracts, staffing, or other resources; establish priorities; evaluate competing demands; and allocate resources while maintaining fiscal and operational accountability.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively through verbal and written communication with diverse internal and external audiences.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative leadership, technical assistance, and training to counties, regions, and behavioral health agencies receiving CJTA funding.
Formulate and update statewide CJTA policy and contract language, monitor the biennial budget, and lead programmatic decisions about implementation.
Plan and facilitate quarterly meetings of the Statewide Criminal Justice Treatment Account Panel under RCW 71.24.580.
Lead data improvement efforts with county and regional BH-ASO contractors.
Facilitate the Criminal Legal Opioid and Overdose Workgroup and related initiatives under the State Opioid and Overdose Response Plan.
Advise on the impacts of the Medicaid 1115 reentry waiver, H.R. 1, and other state and national policies, and respond to ad hoc requests from legislators and the Governor’s Office.
Facilitate sequential intercept model (SIM) mapping with the Administrative Office of the Courts to identify service gaps at each intercept.
Identify and apply for federal grants; submit required reports; and negotiate and manage performance-based contracts associated with awards.
Lead adoption of national best-practice standards across therapeutic courts, including expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder in court and jail settings.
Provide subject matter expertise to statewide workgroups, including the Reentry Access Workgroup and the Washington State Tribal Opioid and Fentanyl Task Force’s Public Safety and Justice System workgroup.
Manage cross-agency efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in therapeutic courts.