Deputy Director for Operations

Deputy Director for Operations (EMS3/DBHR) Lead the charge in shaping Washington State's behavioral health landscape as the Deputy Director for Operations within the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR). Reporting directly to the DBHR Director, the Deputy Director for Operations provides leadership, strategic and tactical direction, and oversight for all areas of DBHR operations. This position ensures that the day-to-day functions within the division are executed to meet several competing work priorities. From overseeing budgets and staff development to coordinating with legislative bodies and federal partners, this role offers a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change in healthcare delivery, with the added benefit of hybrid work flexibility. All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes. Division philosophy statement: The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery values and seeks diversity, equity, and inclusion as integral to the behavioral health field. We support, embrace, and celebrate everyone's uniqueness, promote inclusion, and commit to remove systemic barriers that affect our workforce, our providers, and the people that receive prevention, treatment, and/or recovery support services. About the division: The HCA Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is responsible for administering the community mental health, substance abuse, substance use disorder, and problem gambling service delivery systems. Division administered programs serve children and adults, and their family members, experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, alcohol or drug problems, at risk of developing a substance use disorder, or with a combination of these issues. Many individuals receive services from other state programs, counties, hospitals, contracted service providers and tribes. Individuals that need behavioral health services typically are enrolled in Medicaid or are low income and meet statutory definitions for priority need. DBHR brings operational elements such as medical assistance, substance use disorder, and mental health into closer working relationships to serve individuals more effectively and efficiently. About the position: As the Deputy Director for Operations, you'll oversee leading and managing various aspects of operations, including budgeting, staff development, and contract management. Your role supports the overall vision for the community behavioral health system by assisting with policy development, legislative activities, and performance measures. Additionally, you'll collaborate with stakeholders, lead major initiatives such as annual decision packages, and ensure efficient operations through coordination and monitoring efforts. This position is eligible to telework part-time but is required to report on-site 1-2 days a week to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions - both on-site and telework eligible positions - is within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA may choose, but is not required, to support out-of-state telework on a case-by-case basis. Some of what you will do: Serve with delegated authority to act on behalf of the DBHR Director and assist the Director in ongoing operational activities for DBHR. Serves as an active member of the DBHR executive leadership team. Assign and review the work of management and supervisor staff. Acts for the DBHR Director in all matters assigned. Represents the DBHR Director at meetings with the Governor's office, legislators, outside agencies, and other units of state government. In conjunction with the division's leadership team, has full delegated authority to direct other key statewide planning efforts that may impact critical agency and division initiatives, projects, and/or strategies; determines due dates, monitors for completion, and provides input regarding completed work. Provides technical and administrative oversight to special projects, including organizational process improvements, legislative support, and other critical projects and initiatives. Directs activities of staff and provides project management oversight and technical assistance on key division initiatives. Directs and supports development, implementation, and systematic improvement of statewide performance measures for DBHR programs, including outcomes reporting through the Governor's Results Washington process and the agency's Results HCA process. Responds to legislative inquiries from policy direction to questions about specific constituent concerns. Develops and implements general policies and procedures; performs special assignments on behalf of the DBHR Director. Manages, coaches, and mentors' staff to develop technical and leadership skills. Provides leadership and guidance on how to best manage workload impacts to staffing, personnel and hiring procedures, staff development and succession planning, achieving diversity goals, and tracking performance using measurement criteria. Ensures appropriate decision-making, project management, strategic planning, and performance measurement in accordance with state, agency, and federal rules, regulations, and policies. On behalf of the DBHR Director, coordinates, monitors, and ensures quality and completion of major assignments to the agency and the division. Prepares briefing documents, talking points, testimony, and other supporting materials that may be used by the Director of HCA, the Director of DBHR, the legislature, or others. Ensures program compliance with all federal and state financial participation requirements related to Federal Grants. Develops and manages federal behavioral health grant applications for community disaster responses. Coordinates with local communities impacted by disasters to access behavioral health emergency resources. Required qualifications: Option 1 Master's or other advanced degree in social services, behavioral health, community health education, public administration, or related field and four (4) years of the required experience below Option 2 Bachelor's degree in a related field and six (6) years of the required experience below Option 3 Associate degree and eight (8) years of the required experience below Option 4 10 years of the required experience below The required experience includes: Extensive experience providing leadership in large organization operations. Experience developing and directing policy in a legislative environment. Operations experience in the public behavioral health system. Command of advanced principles of management, including large budget development and management, strategic planning, and staff recruitment and retention. Knowledge of public contracting issues related to state and federal funding, resource management, quality improvement, and cultural competency. Knowledge of federal grant application, development, management, and contracting. Knowledge of protocols and processes of the executive and legislative branches of state and local government. Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders including consumers, advocates, providers, state and local government officials and/or legislators and legislative staff. Ability to work collaboratively to plan, analyze, and problem solve; identify policy needs; develop goals and objectives; and use data for decision making. Project management skills and experience. Preferred qualifications: Direct knowledge of federal, state, local, and private funding sources available to support substance use disorder and mental health services. Knowledge of federal and state behavioral health Medicaid managed care regulations, including behavioral health disaster response grants. How to apply: Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach: A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position Current resume To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following: Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter. Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov. About HCA: Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents. What we have to offer: Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values 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. Tuition reimbursement And free parking . click apply for full job details