The County of Santa Cruz is currently recruiting for a Director of Behavioral Health to join the Health Services Agency! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lead this exciting division and have a positive impact on thousands of lives in our community! This executive management position oversees Medi-Cal specialty mental health and substance use disorder, and behavioral health crisis services provided to the community, 300 full-time employees with an annual budget in excess of $180 million. This position is responsible for the oversight of the Medi-Cal systems of care for both Specialty Mental Health and Drug Medi-Cal Health Plans, including ensuring network adequacy, maintaining relationships with contractors, growing services to meet community needs, and sustaining high-quality services. The position reports to the Health Services Agency Director and works extensively with key stakeholders in mental health and substance use disorders on community planning and service delivery. The ideal candidate is a leader, who is committed to supporting their team and reflects the values of the community it serves. The successful candidate is experienced, decisive, energetic, passionate, innovative; is empathetic, a good listener, and communicates assertively and diplomatically; understands mental health and substance use disorders services, government administration, strong financial management practices, and has demonstrated experience in successful organizational and change management. An additional desirable skill set is experience negotiating with managed care plans, and working with the CA State Department of Health Care Services, in addition to having excellent oral presentation and written communication skills. The Director of Behavioral Health will play a critical role in partnering with the senior leadership team in strategic decision making and operations as the County Health Services Agency continues to enhance its quality programming and build capacity to deliver Medi-Cal reform through CalAIM and prepare for significant changes to County Behavioral Health departments through the Behavioral Health Services Act. This is a tremendous opportunity for a highly experienced leader to maximize and strengthen the internal capacity of a well-respected, high-impact agency.
In accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Division 1, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 620 the local Director of Mental Health Services shall be one of the following: A. A physician and surgeon licensed in the State of California showing evidence of having completed the required course of graduate psychiatric education as defined in Section 623 to be supplemented by an additional period of two years of training or practice limited to the field of psychiatry, one year of which shall have been administrative experience. B. A psychologist who shall be licensed in the State of California and shall possess a doctorate degree in psychology from an institution of higher education. In addition, the psychologist shall have had at least three years of acceptable clinical psychology experience, two years of which shall be administrative experience. C. A clinical social worker who shall possess a master’s degree in social work or higher and shall be a licensed clinical social worker under provisions of the California Business and Professions Code and shall have had at least five years mental health experience, two years of which shall have been administrative experience. D. A marriage and family therapist who shall have a master’s degree in an approved behavioral science course of study, and who shall be a licensed marriage and family therapist and have received specific instruction, or its equivalent as required for licensure on January 1, 1981. In addition, the marriage and family therapist shall have had at least five years of mental health experience, two years of which shall have been administrative experience. Note: equivalent experience may include demonstrated experience in assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of premarital, marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions. E. A nurse who shall possess a master’s degree in psychiatric or public health nursing and shall be licensed as a registered nurse by the Board of Registered Nursing in the State of California and shall have had at least five years mental health experience, two of which shall have been administrative experience. Additional post-baccalaureate experience in a mental health setting may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the educational requirements. F. An administrator who shall have a master’s degree in hospital administration, public health administration, or public administration from an accredited college or university, and who shall have at least three years’ experience in hospital or health care administration, two of which shall have been in the mental health field. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis with approval of the Department.
Out of state Applicants are Encouraged to Apply -
California Licensure is required at time of appointment to qualify via methods A-E as indicated above
Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, please call the Personnel Department at (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.
