Director, Behavioral Health

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. 

Click HERE to view the complete recruitment brochure.

MISSION & VISION

Our mission is to maximize the recovery, resilience and wellness of all eligible Alameda County residents who are developing or experiencing serious mental health, alcohol or drug concerns.

We envision communities where all individuals and their families can successfully realize their potential and pursue their dreams, and where stigma and discrimination against those with mental health and/or alcohol and drug issues are remnants of the past.

CORE VALUES

• ACCESSIBLE – We welcome people of all backgrounds, identities and languages. We provide programs and treatment options that respect the diversity of Alameda County.  
• WHOLE PERSON CARE – We believe a flexible, holistic approach is essential for the wellness and recovery of people affected by mental health and substance use disorders. We value culturally-affirming best practices to provide the highest quality of life for the people we serve.
• COMMUNITY-FOCUSED – We value education and advocacy to eliminate stigma and increase understanding of mental health and substance use disorders in all communities. We support programs and providers that inspire people and families to live full lives.
• EMPOWERING – We work to help people understand their options and empower them to make informed health care decisions.
• TRANSPARENT – We strive to be transparent about how public money is spent. We prioritize the needs of people we serve and the long-term goals of the community.

THE POSITION

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.

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.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Technically adept and prepared for advancement as a Director having achieved a thorough knowledge of the full scope of ACBH in order to be best prepared to serve as a liaison for all policy, program and fiscal negotiations.
• A visionary who is capable of identifying, understanding and forecasting how external issues (e.g., economic, political, social and health care trends) may impact work and who is able to motivate and inspire others by providing leadership and setting a sense of purpose for the ACBH Program.
• A leader who will take personal satisfaction and pride contributing as a valued organizational leader having direct policy and administrative control and overall responsibility for the provision of efficient and effective ACBH.
• A collaborative strategic partner who actively engages with other agencies and departments to meet overall countywide needs while leveraging financial and other resources to maximize results and achieve positive outcomes.
• A business partner with heightened business acumen able to build a strong organization that delivers results while exemplifying the use of resources wisely, responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.
• Flexible and adept at managing effectiveness of self and others when experiencing and leading change within new structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• Capable of making a positive impact on others by exuding an air of confidence, creating good first impressions, professionally commanding attention, and earning professional trust and respect of others.
• An effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills focused on building an environment where diverse, multidisciplinary service delivery teams can work together to enhance the delivery of services for Alameda County communities.

Click HERE for the full job description.

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:

 

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.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

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.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.

2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process.

3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

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

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Employee Mortgage Loan Program
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• 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.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received, or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Jordan Grow, Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
Jordan.Grow2@acgov.org
(510) 208-3954

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and celebrate the diversity of our employees, and strive to create a workplace where all employees feel valued.