County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, to serve as chief operating officers to the Director and have key responsibilities in overseeing, planning, coordinating, and directing direct service delivery programs and the department’s mental health plan in accordance with State and Federal contractual obligations; to act as the Director, Behavioral Health in his/her absence or as designated; and to perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This classification is located in Behavioral Health Care Services which provides mental health and substance use services through county staff, private providers and community-based organizations.  Incumbents report to the Director, Behavioral Health and serves as the chief’s operations officer to the Director and will oversee either the formulation and evaluation of direct service delivery programs or the mental health plan, as well as develop departmental policies and procedures. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Director, Behavioral Health in that the latter class has overall planning, administrative and policy development responsibilities for Behavioral Health.

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.  Oversees the delivery of behavioral health care services including those provided by outpatient clinics, subcontracted providers, inpatient hospitals, and inter-agency project with other county departments.

2.  Oversees and creates linkages among the departments consolidated core administrative functions such as Quality Improvement/Quality Management, Information Systems, and Financial Services.

3.  Coordinates and maintains accountability on shared intra-agency responsibilities including, but not limited to, compliance, beneficiary, performance management, audits, appeals, budget, provider rate setting, claims payment, reconciliation systems, information management and reporting and location data systems activities.

4.  Serves as the Director, Behavioral Health in his/her absence or when designated and represents Behavioral Health in collaboration with other County agencies/departments and with various public and private agencies as well as Federal and State organizations.

5.  Integrates and develops continuity of care across Behavioral Health operational units, including program development and system wide planning.

6.  Collaborates with Executive Leadership to create policy, procedures and system design, development and implementation.

7.  Provides leadership and program and policy direction to the Behavioral Health administrative and management staff.

8.  Assures inter-agency and intra-agency collaboration and integration of services, develops inter-agency policies and procedures.

9.  Negotiates and manages contracts and program service agreements.

10. Provides direction regarding the allocation of available funds for both County-operated and contract provided services.

11. Responsible for involving the Mental Health Board, Alliance of Drug and Alcohol Providers (ADAP), Stakeholders Committee, Family/Consumer Leadership, community and consumers in behavioral health care system design, education and training.

12. Provides leadership and oversight for the implementation of Affordable Care Act and other key healthcare reform initiatives into service delivery operations.

13. Reviews, monitors and interprets proposed legislation and changes in laws and regulations; and assures administrative compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

14. Assists in the establishment of policies, procedures and system development and implementation to meet legal requirements, county policies, goals and the delivery of mandated service levels.

15. Reviews organizational structure and operational methods for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

16. Recruits, selects, evaluates and disciplines staff, either directly or indirectly through subordinate personnel.

17. Responds to public and news media inquiries concerning Behavioral Health Care Services policies, operations and services.

18. Serves on a variety of committees and task forces; attends meetings and makes presentations as required.

19. Prepares a variety of correspondence, narrative and statistical reports, information for the Board of Supervisors, program documentation, policies, procedures and other written materials.

20. Attends Agency and other County meetings on behalf of the department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, nursing, behavioral science, public administration, health care administration or a closely related field.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of five years of full-time progressively responsible, post-graduate professional experience, including some combination of clinical, training, research and administrative functions such as planning, evaluation, and/or program or policy development.  Two years of the above experience must include supervision of subordinate supervisory staff in a mental health or behavioral health care setting.

 

License:

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

 

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 the duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

 

Knowledge of:

• Behavioral Health management, policy and system design.
• Mental Health Plan administration.
• Program planning and evaluation techniques, including research methodologies, forecasting and statistical analysis.
• Management principles and practices, including work planning, employee supervision and resource allocation.
• Federal, State and local regulations and requirements as they relate to behavioral health care services.
• Current trends in behavioral health care administration and service delivery.
• Functions and operations of related agencies and community organizations.
• Clinical standards of practice and licensure requirements.
• Budgetary, financial management, quality improvement, auditing and contract administration practices.
• Public sector rules, regulations, policies, economic and social trends that may affect the organization.
• Computer applications and equipment related to work.

 

Ability to:

• Demonstrate commitment to the county’s Mission, Credo and goals by involving key stakeholders, soliciting input from the community, and acting with ethical guidelines.
• Establish, strengthen and maintain relationships with multiple agencies, departments, stakeholders and community organizations.
• Think innovatively by exploring situations from multiple perspectives while quickly calculating risks and initiating action to achieve a recognized benefit.
• Collaborate with other agencies, departments, government entities and local communities to achieve organizational goals while leveraging financial and other resources.
• Set and achieve measurable goals through collaboration with subordinate staff and the use of analytical methodology, strategic planning and technology.
• Inspire confidence and provide support to senior leadership to ensure effective management.
• Manage groups by advising subordinates, facilitating goal accomplishment and tracking and evaluating performance to ensure success.
• Foster diversity and develop high quality, culturally competent work teams and service delivery strategies in alignment with organizational goals.
• Use economic, financial, market and industry data to understand and improve business results.
• Navigate complex organizational environments with political savvy, sensitivity and tact.
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

AM:pb 12/89
Old doc: 1130h
New doc: 5078.doc
ys/6/01
CSC Date: 1/31/90
DRH:pf Rev/Retitle 2/3/03
[old title: Deputy Director, Mental Health Services]
CSC Date: 3/12/03
RY:cs Revised 8/14/12
CSC Date: 9/5/12
DRH:ac Revised/Retitled 2/25/19
Old Title: Deputy 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.