Director of Behavioral Health

Pursuant to California regulations, Title 9, Rehabilitative and Developmental Services, Division 1, Chapter 3, Article 8, Professional and Technical Standards, when the Local Mental Health Director is someone other than the local health officer or the medical administrator of the county hospital, that individual shall be one of the following:

• An administrator who possesses a master’s degree in hospital administration, public health administration, or public administration from an accredited college or university, and has at least three years of 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 the approval of the Department of Mental Health.
• A physician and surgeon licensed in the State of California, with evidence of having completed the required course of graduate psychiatric education as defined in Section 623, 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 in administrative experience.
• A psychologist who is licensed in the State of California and holds a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited institution of higher education. In addition, the psychologist shall have at least three years of acceptable clinical psychology experience, two years of which shall have been in administrative experience.
• A clinical social worker who possesses a master’s degree in social work or higher and is a licensed clinical social worker under the provisions of the California Business and Professions Code. The individual shall have at least five years of mental health experience, two years of which shall have been in administrative experience.
• A marriage, family, and child counselor who possesses a master’s degree in an approved behavioral science course of study, is a licensed marriage, family, and child counselor, and has received the specific instruction (or its equivalent) required for licensure as of January 1, 1981. In addition, the counselor shall have at least five years of mental health experience, two years of which shall have been in administrative experience. The term specific instruction, as used in Sections 5751 and 5751.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, is not limited to classroom instruction but may include equivalent demonstrated experience in assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of premarital, marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions.
• A nurse who possesses a master’s degree in psychiatric or public health nursing, is licensed as a registered nurse by the Board of Registered Nursing in the State of California, and has at least five years of mental health experience, two of which shall have been in administrative experience. Additional post-baccalaureate experience in a mental health setting may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the educational requirements.

• Responsible administrative experience managing multi-divisional mental health and substance abuse programs and staff; and managerial experience in an organization employing about 400 individuals; and adept management organizational skills and abilities.

• A position assigned to this class may require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

This position operates under the policy direction from the Board of Supervisors and administrative direction from the Chief Administrative Officer.  The Director of Behavioral Health is an organizational leader capable of overseeing a complex and diverse department; combining good judgment and initiative providing a wide range of prevention, diagnostic, treatment, and community services for children, adolescents, and adults with mental health or substance abuse problems; and performs other duties as assigned.

This is an at-will department director classification that oversees and directs all activities of the Department of Behavioral Health, including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the County Administrative Officer in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, County functions and activities, including the role of the Board of Supervisors, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering County goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.

Essential Job Functions

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. 

• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; establishes, within County policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs assigned staff; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and Plan organize, direct, and evaluate the operation of behavioral health programs.
• Formulates County behavioral health objectives, policies, procedures, and guidelines based upon policy direction provided by the County Board of Supervisors, and federal and state laws and regulations.
• Act as a liaison between the County governing body, the department and other agencies.
• Act as the County’s liaison with federal, state, and local codes and regulations established for mental health and substance use disorder institutions and professionals.
• Direct and oversee a variety of programs and services, quality assurance programs of peer review and continuous staff education in current advances in mental health and substance use disorder practices, and community outreach and development.
• Provide leadership in mental health and substance use disorder education and referral services by planning and implementing programs that address the behavioral health needs of the community.
• Analyze, interpret, and evaluate the effect that federal, state and local legislation, rules or policies will have on behavioral health programs, and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
• Prepare department budget and control budgetary expenditures.
• Recommend staffing, service priorities, adequacy of facilities and services, and other matters affecting the behavioral health needs of persons in the community.