MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM CHIEF

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM CHIEF
$140,339.28 - $170,583.31 Annually

The Board of Supervisors has authorized the following future salary increase: 5% on July 1, 2025

Contra Costa Health is the largest county department in Contra Costa County with over 4,700 employees. Our mission is to care for and improve the health of all people in Contra Costa with special attention to those who are most vulnerable to health problems. We provide services through nine operational areas: Behavioral Health, Contra Costa Health Plan, Emergency Medical Services, Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials, Health, Housing & Homeless Services, Public Health, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center & Health Centers and Detention Health. 

We are currently hiring two Mental Health Program Chiefs, one in the Detention Health Division and one in the Behavioral Health Division.

The Detention Heath Division is comprised of three adult Detention facilities and one juvenile Detention facility with a multidisciplinary team. Working with your mental health staff, you will be able to focus on providing full spectrum mental health programming, care and education to our vulnerable and clinically complex patients in a challenging environment and experience a positive work-life balance. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a difference in our community. 

The Behavioral Health Division, in partnership with consumers, families, staff and community-based agencies, provides welcoming and integrated services for mental health, substance abuse, and other needs that promote wellness, recovery, and resiliency while respecting the complexity and diversity of the people we serve. The Mental Health Program Chief position will be responsible for overseeing the Division's Internship Program, Behavioral Health Staff Education and Training, implementation and evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices and development of Clinical Pathways. Additionally, incumbents will be responsible for analysis of pending legislation that affects Behavioral Health and tracking, analyzing and responding to draft regulations. The Program Chief also provides program and policy direction, management, supervision and professional direction to staff and assures administrative compliance with applicable Federal and State regulations.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A collaborator. You will use your strong relational and communication skills to build relationships with individuals within and outside your division.
• Respectful and understands diversity. You will be working with a culturally and linguistically diverse population.
• Action-oriented and results-focused. You will need to take initiative and ensure tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• A strong communicator. You will be in constant communication (verbally and in writing) with staff and community providers.
• Organized and excellent in forecasting and planning. You will encounter pressing demands from multiple sources and will need to balance them.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Providing oversight of programs, budget allocation and planning, and policies and procedures.
• Evaluating programs and reviewing performance outcomes to ensure that delivery of services is effective.
• Monitoring all program activities to ensure programs are in compliance with Federal and State regulations.
• Working with programs to ensure that data required by the State is collected and submitted in a timely manner.
• Interviewing, hiring and evaluating subordinate staff.

A few reasons why you might love this job:

• Your leadership will be used to improve the lives of the diverse, marginalized community that we serve.
• You will be part of a division that has several programs that help our clients learn to manage their lives and mental health conditions more effectively and improve their quality of life.
• You will spend your day with a team that is dedicated, passionate and, most importantly, focused on Contra Costa County's common mission and goals to serve our community.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will encounter unpredictable daily workflow and work assignments.
• You will have to problem-solve as issues arise and prioritize our scarce resources.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California motor vehicle operator's license. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process; AND possession of one of the following professional licenses: either (a) a current valid unrestricted license as a Psychologist issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Psychology; or (b) a valid license as a Clinical Social Worker issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences; or (c) a valid license as a Marriage and Family Therapist issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences.
 
Education: Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major in psychology, social work, counseling or a closely related field.
 
Experience: Four years of full-time post-licensure experience, or its equivalent, providing mental health services to the seriously and persistently mentally ill, two years of which must have included administrative responsibility for mental health programs/services and the supervision of subordinate staff.
 
Substitution: Possession of a Bachelor's degree and two years of additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required Master's degree.
 

Desirable Qualifications: 5+ years of experience working with Medi-Cal regulations. 

Closing Date: June 10, 2025

Equal Opportunity Employer