Health Services Assistant Deputy Director

Orange County, CA•Santa Ana, CA

65d

About The Position

HEALTH SERVICES ASSISTANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR (BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES) Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. This recruitment is open to the publicfor a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met.Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. This recruitment will establish an Openeligible list and will be used to fill current and future vacancies within this specialty. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County. First Round of Consideration will be Wednesday, November 19, 2025. THE AGENCY The County of Orange,Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community. THE DEPARTMENT TheBehavioral Health Services (BHS) Division consists of the following areas: Adult and Older Adult, Children and Youth Services, Quality Management Services, Mental Health Services Act Office, Data Analytics and Evaluation, Crisis and Acute Care Services, Substance Use Services, and Forensics and Justice Involved. These divisions provide a culturally competent and client-centered system of behavioral health services for all eligible county residents in need of treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse and mental health care. THE PROGRAM Crisis and Acute Care Services(CAC)provides responsive services to adults and youth in a behavioral health crisis. Services include mobile mental health Crisis Assessment Team (CAT), Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT), OC Links (24/7 Resources line), Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU), Crisis Residential Programs, In-home Crisis Stabilization services, inpatient psychiatric hospital services, coordination of 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, Suicide and Self-Harm Reduction services as well as the Wellness and Suicide Prevention Education services for transitional aged youth. THE OPPORTUNITY BHS is looking for experienced, dynamic leaders who bring a strategic mindset and a strong commitment to collaborating with County and community partners and ensuring BHS programs deliver consistent, high-quality appropriate levels of care and access to services. The immediate vacancy is within the Crisis and Acute Care function area. However, future vacancies may be in other Divisions; thus, qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess at least five (5) years of progressive experience managing behavioral health programs and/or related operations.
The ideal candidate will also possess at least two (2) years of experience leading a large team and/or multiple teams within a behavioral health setting.
Interpreting and implementing laws, regulations, policies and procedures concerning health care regulations
Understanding and application of behavioral health knowledge, including current issues, challenges, and trends
Maneuvering through complex political situations and functions within the organization
Anticipating obstacles and issues before they arise and providing appropriate solutions
Managing programs within regulatory and budgetary guidelines, in collaboration with program support/budget
Demonstrating resilience and solution-oriented thinking in the face of organizational challenges
Using strategic foresight, appropriate judgment, data, and risk management skills in making business decisions and formulating policy recommendations for achieving positive business outcomes and meeting deadlines
Making, evaluating, and revising long-range plans and goals for the department
Analyzingproblemsandproposingsolutionswhiledealingwithchangingpriorities
Identifying department needs, and the development, design and implementation of program objectives, policies and procedures, compliance, and audits
Setting clear, challenging, and attainable goals for participating groups and ensuring goals are aligned with the goals of the BHS
Identifying opportunities and solutions that will result in mutual gain for all parties while building coalitions across the agency, aligning goals and fostering shared accountability
Understanding the importance and benefits of working in and/or with different divisions and teams
Creating a positive work environment in which all staff are motivated to do their best
Taking a long-term view and building a shared vision with others
Valuing differing backgrounds and points of view in the workplace and leveraging those differences in group process and decision making
Convincingly explaining the benefits of a course of action or advantages over alternatives
Removing barriers to equal opportunity and participation
Sharing knowledge and expertise willingly and supporting others' career and development plans
Determining objectives, prioritizing tasks, and delegating work
Building a shared vision and motivates teams through inspirational communication and authentic engagement
Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
Evaluating the chosen course of action after it has been implemented in order to determine its efficacy
Demonstrating decisiveness and learning from previous outcomes, decisions and experiences
Makes timely, data-informed decisions and evaluates outcomes to refine future strategies
Building effective working relationships across all levels of the organization and outside communities by dealing effectively with empathy and diplomacy with various levels of stakeholders
Dealing with interpersonally or politically challenging situations calmly and diplomatically, while diffusing tension
Presenting and tailoring information and materials to various types of audiences including but not limited to, public official meetings, commission hearings and stakeholder public meetings
Communicating effectively and tactfully with County leadership and management, departmental staff, outside agencies, and the general public both verbally and in writing

Nice To Haves

A valid registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Psychologist may be desirable for some positions.

Responsibilities

Directing all crisis services delivered by BHS to individuals of all ages experiencing behavioral health crises on a 24/7 basis, including oversight of the Crisis Intervention Team Steering Committee, implementation of SB 43 in Orange County, and coordination of suicide prevention and wellness activities
Providing direction for short- and long-term strategies, demonstrating systems thinking and adaptive program leadership and development, while ensuring compliance with behavioral health standards, quality measures, and policy requirements, within fiscal constraints
Managing a combination of County and contracted programs and responding appropriately to Human Resources issues
Developing and implementing qualitative and quantitative measures to monitor and evaluate business outcomes and drive continuous improvement
Overseeing and managing large budgets and the allocation of program resources to ensure that mandated services are provided in a cost effective, fiscal accountable and client focused manner
Maintaining awareness of changes in the political climate and demonstrate the political acumen and collaborative leadership when engaging with government officials, business partners and public stakeholders while responding to new challenges

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume