DSHS BHHA Diversion Navigator

State of Washington•Pierce County – Lakewood, WA

About The Position

Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) is seeking a mission-driven, relationship-centered Diversion Navigator to join their team. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, communicates with clarity and confidence, and believes in practical, person-centered solutions that keep people connected to care and out of deeper system involvement. The role involves supporting at-risk individuals, strengthening community safety, and building strong partnerships across Washington’s justice and behavioral health systems. The team values trust, shared problem-solving, and a commitment to "making it happen" for the people and communities they serve. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Requirements

Master’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or human services AND Minimum three years of professional experience in community mental health (non-inpatient) AND Minimum two years of case management experience providing direct care support to at-risk clients in the community
OR Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or human services AND Minimum five years of professional experience in community mental health (non-inpatient) AND Minimum five years of case management experience providing direct care support to at-risk clients in the community
OR A minimum of nine years of professional experience working in community mental health (non-inpatient services) AND A minimum of five years of case management experience providing direct care support and services to at-risk clients/patients in the community
Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license.
Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing professional staff or leading a central business function such as centralized intake or diversion coordination
Knowledge of Washington criminal court processes, competency evaluation procedures, and county-specific variations
Experience working with behavioral health providers, housing programs, CPS, foster care licensing, or similar partners
Strong skills in motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and conflict resolution
Ability to design workflows, develop materials, and support program planning and evaluation
Understanding of person-centered planning, consumer choice, and self-direction
Ability to communicate clearly and inclusively with internal and external partners
Skill in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to support decision-making and continuous improvement

Responsibilities

Building trusting relationships with clients to understand their needs, goals, and barriers
Coordinating access to behavioral health care, housing supports, and community services
Meeting with individuals in custody to assess eligibility, readiness, and release planning needs by utilizing a structured professional judgement tool
Advocating to courts on behalf of clients by providing a Recommended Diversion Plan and attending court in-person/virtually
Helping clients attend appointments, maintain medication adherence, and stay connected to services
Managing an active caseload while meeting documentation and program compliance requirements
Providing clear, consistent updates to courts and legal partners about client progress
Presenting diversion options and community-based alternatives to support informed court decisions
Collaborating with courts, attorneys, jails, and providers to maintain diversion policies and practices
Creating and maintaining workflows, materials, and guidance that support program operations
Participating in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing program development activities
Reviewing program data, preparing reports, and using Lean or other improvement methods to strengthen service delivery