SENIOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MANAGER

Job Specifications

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction to plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate major components of service delivery programs in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division; and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is responsible for developing, managing, and administering major components of Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse Services Programs and reports to the Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

TYPICAL TASKS

Assesses and identifies community mental health and/or substance abuse services needs for children and/or adults; develops program funding sources through grant writing, billing and legislative processes; develops, directs, manages, and evaluates programs; works closely with interfacing departments and organizations to coordinate and integrate services, resolve administrative problems and develop joint procedures; develops and maintains liaison with Legislators to recommend legislative policy and adequate funding affecting mental health and/or substance abuse programs; coordinates and directs through subordinate managers the work of staff engaged in providing mental health and/or substance abuse services; directs and evaluates the work of subordinate managers and supervisors; develops and monitors contracts including prepares Request for Proposals and negotiates requirements and costs; maintains liaison with State Department of Mental Health and/or State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs in major program areas to ensure program performance, appropriate funding and problem solving; represents Mental Health Services Programs and/or Alcohol and Drug Programs to other agencies, community groups and organizations; develops service and program information to keep public informed; acts as liaison to State Department of Mental Health and/or State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, and other Counties regarding mental health and substance abuse programs.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

  Thorough knowledge of:

• Methods to assess and respond to community needs for mental health and/or substance abuse services.
• Program planning, administration, coordination, management and evaluation.
• The principles of mental health and/or substance abuse disciplines and legal requirements.
• Interrelationships of service provided by governmental, community and private mental health/substance abuse organizations.
• The principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.

  Working knowledge of:

• Grant proposal writing and legislative processes related to developing funding resources.
• Budgeting, fiscal control and contract administration.
• County requirements for approval and management of new complex programs of significant scope and size.

Ability to:

• Evaluate mental health and/or substance abuse programs and develop new or revised programs as necessary to meet the needs of the community.
• Develop and coordinate services and maintain effective relationships with other departments, agencies and organizations.
• Work with State Department of Mental Health and/or State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs to ensure program performance, appropriate funding and problem solving.
• Plan, organize and direct through subordinate managers and supervisors the activities of staff working in mental health and/or substance abuse programs.
• Prepare and monitor budgets and contracts.
• Express aims, concepts and principles of mental health and/or substance abuse programs in oral and written form.
• Speak effectively before groups.
• Develop, negotiate and monitor funding sources.
• Exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound judgment to solve difficult administrative and personnel problems.
• Work effectively to partner with many constituent groups and political entities on critical mental health and substance abuse services.

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Five years experience in hospital or health care administration, three of which shall have been in the mental health or alcohol and drug field plus a Master's Degree in hospital administration, public health administration, public administration, psychology, social work, nursing or counseling from an accredited college or university. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education. A clinical license or certification as an alcohol and drug counselor is strongly desired but not required as this position supervises large, complex service delivery systems and clinical staff.