Section Chief, Statewide Services Division

State of Connecticut • Hartford, CT

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you an experienced behavioral health leader committed to system-wide impact, equitable access, and high-quality, recovery-oriented services? Bring your expertise to a statewide leadership role that strengthens Connecticut’s behavioral health system and advances services for specialized populations across the state. The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a Health Management Administrator to serve as the Section Chief for our Statewide Services Division. In this advanced executive role, you will provide strategic direction, administrative oversight, and operational leadership for a diverse portfolio of statewide behavioral health initiatives serving specialized populations. This position plays a vital role in shaping policy, driving system improvements, and ensuring accessible, recovery-focused services across Connecticut.

Requirements

• Two (2) years of experience in a managerial capacity in a health care organization and/or division related to agency's service population. Managerial capacity is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and/or monitoring a budget.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and practices.
• Relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations.
• Various public health systems and programs.
• One or more of the following programs: maternal and child health, children with disabilities, social work, oral health, nutrition, veterans health or human services, behavioral health or substance abuse.
• Medical care for abused, neglected or individuals with intellectual disability and/or other underserved groups.
• Knowledge of public health education principles and practices.
• Considerable interpersonal skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• A Master's degree or higher in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field.
• Current Connecticut professional licensure in a behavioral health discipline, where applicable.
• Significant progressive leadership experience with increasing administrative, operational, clinical, and supervisory responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and evaluating complex behavioral health programs or statewide initiatives.
• Experience managing large operational budgets and multiple state and federal funding streams.
• Experience supervising managers and leading multidisciplinary leadership teams.
• Experience developing and implementing performance measures and utilizing data to improve program effectiveness and operational outcomes.
• Experience representing executive leadership and/or facilitating collaborative initiatives with other departments or state agencies, community-based providers, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare partners.
• Experience overseeing high-profile programs and managing contracts with substantial fiscal, operational, policy, and public impact.
• Knowledge of behavioral health systems, long-term services and supports, housing services, substance use treatment, and services for specialty populations.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and public presentation skills.
• Experience developing workforce education and training initiatives using demonstrated content expertise with specialty areas, for example trauma-informed care, substance use disorders, LGBTQ+ populations, reproductive behavioral health, and long-term services and supports.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and oversight for key statewide programs, including: Housing and Homeless Services, Gambling Prevention and Treatment Services, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), such as Nursing Home Diversion and Transition, Skilled Nursing Facility Services for individuals with serious mental illness, Older Adult Behavioral Health Services, and Mental Health Waiver Services, Women's Behavioral Health Services, Special Education Services, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Services.
• Administers staff and operations of division and/or program.
• Develops, implements and evaluates division and/or program policies, goals and objectives.
• Designs and develops division and/or program activities.
• Oversees and monitors program implementation.
• Determines appropriate staffing levels.
• Designs and implements training programs and performance review standards for division and/or program staff.
• Assists with preparation of agency budget.
• Collects and disseminates data and other information to promote and manage healthcare quality and access.
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact policy or program activities.
• Represents department at meetings and conferences of officials, professionals and lay groups.
• Plans research activities including monitoring, evaluation and accountability procedures.
• Prepares and recommends proposals for securing grant funds.
• May assume responsibility of division in absence of Deputy Commissioner.
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits
• Opportunities for leadership development, professional growth, and continued learning
• A supportive environment that values collaboration, compassion, and work/life balance

What This Job Offers

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