Prevention Policy and Project Manager (HCPM/DBHR)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for a Prevention Policy and Project Manager within the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR). The role focuses on developing and implementing policies and procedures for the prevention of substance misuse, specifically underage cannabis use, by executing Washington State RCW 69.50 and other legislative directives. The manager will lead the Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Section, ensuring the Division fulfills legislative directives and tracks relevant legislation. This position is eligible for telework but may require occasional on-site presence for business needs, travel for client meetings, training, or conferences. The default work location is within Washington State, reporting to Olympia, WA, with the frequency of on-site work varying. All employees must report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days for equipment pickup and return.

Requirements

• Current certification as a Certified Prevention Professional in Washington State or equivalent standing as recognized by a national accreditation body, or a plan to receive the Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Option 1: Master’s degree from an accredited college with a major study in Public Policy and Administration, Prevention Science, Public Health, Community Health Education, Health and Human Services, Social Sciences, Communications, or closely related field. Three (3) years of consultative or supervisory experience in public health/social services fields, behavioral health, substance use disorder prevention or mental health promotion and related fields; with functions including analyzing policy, laws and rules, contract management, project management, managing workforce development, communications, implementing educational training programs, community engagement, technical assistance, grants management, or other comparable experience, including experience obtained during certification as a Certified Prevention Professional, if applicable.
• Option 2: Bachelor’s degree with major study in Public Policy and Administration, Prevention Science, Public Health, Community Health Education, Health and Human Services, Social Sciences, Communications, or closely related field. Five (5) years of the experience listed above in option 1.
• Option 3: Nine (9) years of the experience listed above in option 1.
• Option 4: One (1) year as a Health Care Program Specialist.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Knowledge of current prevention theories and technology including risk and protective factor framework, the Strategic Prevention Framework, community needs and resource assessment, principles of effectiveness, and best practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively to plan, analyze, and problem solve, identify policy needs, develop goals and objectives and use data for decision making with multiple stakeholders including youth serving system partners, providers, state and local government officials and/or legislators and legislative staff.
• Demonstrate skills providing training and technical assistance to culturally diverse audiences on prevention and health promotion topics including coalition development, community organization, substance use disorder prevention principles and best practices, program planning and implementation, and program evaluation.
• Commitment to advancing health equity systemically and programmatically.
• Ability to form relationships with strategic partners, e.g., government agencies, non-profit agencies, schools, business, and faith-based communities.
• Experience working successfully with community-based prevention efforts.
• Knowledge of evidence-based environmental prevention strategies that can impact youth alcohol and drug use in communities.
• Experience in developing and delivering trainings addressing adult learning styles.
• Ability to speak effectively and professionally in public to a variety of audiences.
• Experience with negotiating and managing performance-based contracts.
• Ability to write clear, concise and grammatically correct letters, reports and other forms of communication.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.
• Experience working independently as well as an effective team member.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficient in MS office products including Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with diverse, underserved, and/or priority populations.
• Plan, lead, organize and control the work performed by the organization.
• Support effective communications throughout the organization.
• Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the State’s goals for a diverse workforce.
• Successful completion of the Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training (SAPST) or Washington Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (WA-SAPST).
• Grant writing and editing experience.
• Experience providing technical assistance to local communities on substance use disorder prevention planning, evidence-based program selection, and evaluation.
• Experience analyzing legislation.
• Experience developing and managing competitive procurements.
• Intermediate to Advanced skill in MS Office programs.

Responsibilities

• Manage key cannabis policy for the Dedicated Cannabis Account (DCA) funds across HCA DBHR and other key emerging prevention legislative directives.
• Oversee and track the Dedicated Cannabis Account (approx. $6.2 million per year), making recommendations for policy development, mitigating agency’s fiscal impact, and supporting stakeholders statewide.
• Oversee and manage execution of RCW 69.50 prevention and Tribal initiatives, facilitating interaction between senior leadership, presenting recommendations to organization departments and sections, and preparing for legislative hearings.
• Oversee management of initiative directives with high-level interagency groups, including Washington State Institute of Public Policy (WSIPP).
• Provide expertise, technical assistance, and linkages to evidence-based programs for outcomes and implementation to DBHR leadership.
• Serve as the agency prevention representative for state and government entities and agencies related to substance use disorder prevention policy.
• Conduct legislative and hearing analysis for all cannabis legislation.
• Review legislation and policy to develop guidelines and directives for contractors and service providers.
• Provide expert level analysis to senior leadership regarding substance use prevention and treatment policies and procedures, that potentially impact provisos, legislation, or statutes.
• Prevention system coordination, training and local services and related contracts.
• Responsible for contract management, including procurement (requests for applications), negotiating performance-based contract deliverables, program and fiscal monitoring, and on-time reporting.
• Provide recommendations for policy and programmatic development regarding emerging complex issues and initiatives.
• Report project outcomes, as required, to state and national funding partners, including SAMHSA, WA State Legislature, and other stakeholders.
• Managing key state and national partnerships.
• Manage key interagency partnerships, including the development and sharing of research and analyses, status reports and performance improvement activities.
• Develop communication strategies, including the creation of multidimensional reports for management information and decision-making having broad scope and significant impact for vulnerable youth and their families.
• Developing and delivering presentations and training on the status of deliverables required by related statute (i.e. RCW 69.50).

Benefits

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered
• 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.
• And free parking!

What This Job Offers

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