County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction plans, directs, and implements the County's Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS) program; provides overall administration of the performance, stability and growth of Behavioral Health Care Services through development of long term goals, as well as annual objectives for the organization in accordance with Board directives and legislative mandates; establishes  County-wide policies, procedures, and standards for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of mentally ill adults, children, and youth; provides direction and supervision of senior level staff;  monitors and evaluates County-operated and contracted mental health and substance use disorder programs, to ensure compliance with administrative and clinical legislative mandates, regulations, and standards; administers the preparation of the annual mental health budget; provides staff services to the Local Mental Health Advisory Board; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single position classification that reports to the Director of Health Care Services and serves as the designated liaison between the County's Behavioral Health Program, the State Department of Health Care Services, and the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, for all policy, program and fiscal negotiations.  This classification is distinguished from the Deputy Director, Behavioral Health in that it has overall planning, administrative, and policy development responsibilities whereas the Deputy Director serves as the Chief’s Operating Officer to the Director in the formulation and evaluation of Behavioral Health Care Services programs, policies and procedures.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

 

1.  Plans, organizes, and directs through subordinate supervisory and administrative staff, mental health and substance use disorder programs and services throughout Alameda County. 

2.  Hires, supervises, and trains executive level management staff; and establishes policies and assigns responsibilities for attaining departmental goals and objectives.

3.  In collaboration with county, state, and federal officials, develops long-range plans for comprehensive county-wide service delivery for the treatment and rehabilitation of the mentally ill, including long term organizational goals and annualized business objectives; and coordinates the programs and services of other agencies with such plans.

4.  Directs preparation of the annual budget; and directs and coordinates the formulation of sound financial strategies to ensure funding for continued operations, enhanced and/or expanded service delivery, and the development of new programs.

5.  Interprets new legislation and its impact on departmental operations as well as the current and future behavioral health environment.

6.  Reviews departmental operations and the operations of community-based organizations under contract with the department to assure continuity and quality of services and to meet administrative funding requirements relative to local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.

7.  Represents the department at various meetings and forums at the local, state, and federal level.

8.  Works closely with the legislatively mandated Mental Health Advisory Board which has responsibility for ensuring community input regarding mental health needs in Alameda County.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Education and Licensure:

Possession of a valid license to practice medicine in the State of California and showing evidence of graduate psychiatric education (MD) as specified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. The required course education must have been in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association.

And

Experience:

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time experience as a physician or surgeon in the field of psychiatry, with one (1) year of the required experience having administrative experience.

 

OR II

Education and Licensure:

Possession of a valid license issued by the State of California and possession of a doctorate degree in psychology (PsyD) from an accredited college or university.

And

Experience:

The equivalent of three (3) years of full-time experience as a psychologist in a clinical psychological setting, with two (2) years of the required experience having administrative experience.

 

OR III

Education and Licensure:

Possession of a master’s degree in social work (MSW) and must be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker under provisions of the California Business and Professions Code.

And

Experience:

The equivalent of five (5) years of full-time experience as a clinical social worker, with two (2) years of the required experience having administrative experience.

 

OR IV

Education and Licensure:

Possession of master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a behavioral science field. Additionally, possession of a marriage, family and child counselor (MFT) license issued by the State of California.

And

Experience:

The equivalent of five (5) years of full-time experience as a marriage, family, and child counselor in a mental health setting, with two (2) years of the required experience having administrative experience.

 

OR V

Education and Licensure:

Possession of a master’s degree in psychiatric or public health nursing and possession of a Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of California issued by the Board of Registered Nursing.

And

Experience:

The equivalent of five (5) years of full-time experience as a Registered Nurse in a mental health setting, with two (2) years of the required experience having administrative experience.

Additional post-baccalaureate experience as a Registered Nurse may be substituted for the master’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

 

OR VI

Education and Licensure:

Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in hospital administration (MHA), public health administration (MPH), or public administration (MPA).

And

Experience:

The equivalent of three (3) years of full-time experience in hospital or health care administration, with two (2) of the required years in a mental health setting.

Additional work experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

 

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

 

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices of county, state, and federal mental health systems.
• Clinical standards of practice and licensure requirements for clinical staff.
• Federal, State and local regulations as they relate to behavioral health care services.
• Current principles, practices and trends in the mental health field.
• Principles and practices of governmental budgeting, grants management and contracts administration.
• Personnel management, training and supervision.
• Community resources and organizations related to, mental health services and primary care.
• Effective management practices in behavioral health care systems.
• Methods of effective community engagement and its role in managing mental health treatment and prevention programs.

 

Ability to:

• Direct comprehensive clinical and administrative services.
• Evaluate the quality of mental health and substance use disorder programs. 
• Establish, strengthen and maintain relationships with multiple agencies, departments, stakeholders and community organizations.
• Represent the Agency effectively at the local, state, and federal level.  Navigate complex organizational environments with political savvy, sensitivity and tact.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:nw  3/26/76
AM:pb  Revised: 1/28/93
Old doc:  0409h
New doc:  /5045.doc
ys/6/01
CSC Date:  2/10/93
RY: cs Revised/Retitled 1/11/13
Old Title: Assistant Agency Director Mental Health Services
CSC Date:  1/23/13
RE:ac  Revised/Retitled 2/27/19
Old Title: Director, Behavioral Health Care Services
CSC Date: 3/13/19

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.