Alcohol & Drug Program Manager

Salary : $126,102.08 - $160,940.00 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-8141-05 (O/BW)
Department: Behavioral Wellness
Opening Date: 11/03/2026
Closing Date: 11/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description
The County of Santa Barbara's Behavioral Wellness Department is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time position for an Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP) Manager in any location in Santa Barbara County, California. Although this position can be based in any location in Santa Barbara County, it will have countywide responsibility and will require travel to Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Santa Maria based on the department's operational needs. The countywide classification is Health Services Manager II. This position is "At-Will" and is exempt from Civil Service provisions.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAM MANAGER Description

The Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP) Managerreports to the Branch Chief of Alcohol and Drug Programs and serves as a member of the Behavioral Wellness Department management team. This role manages prevention, intervention, and treatment services to prevent or minimize alcohol and other drug-related problems, including behavioral health plan administration for the Drug Medi-Cal Organized System (DMC-ODS) outpatient programs. This position works in close collaboration with Specialty Mental Health programs, Justice programs, and community-based organizations providing Drug Medi-Cal treatment services. The ADP Program Manager oversees programs countywide, including direct supervision and clinical support for the SUD Wellness and Recovery Access Point (SUD WRAP) Outpatient services, as well as being a department liaison with contractors providing Drug Medi-Cal Treatment Programs.

Benefits: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or to view more information. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Hiring Incentive: The Behavioral Wellness Department may offer and may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and, at the discretion of the CEO, can provide flexible relocation assistance, housing and student loan offsets, cash incentives, and/or vacation and sick leave pre-accruals in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization.
The Ideal Candidate will have the following:

• Extensive experience with evidence-based Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery models, including Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) services.
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of clinical and administrative applications in the field of substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring disorders (mental health conditions and SUD), including proficiency with state and federal laws governing SUD prevention and treatment services.
• Proven track record with the management of behavioral health programs, especially those involving Drug Medi-Cal treatment services, specialty mental health services, and justice-involved populations.
• Ability to manage and understand very difficult and stressful situations.
• Experience and skills in building and maintaining positive and collaborative relationships with community partners, treatment providers, stakeholders, consumers, and family members.
• Strong skills in collecting and analyzing data.
• Experience providing clinical and administrative supervision to multi-disciplinary teams including clinicians, Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) counselors, peer support specialists, and administrative office professionals.
• Ability to inspire, coach, develop, and empower staff.
• Experience leading change initiatives such as those addressing healthcare equity, population health, and community well-being issues.

Examples of Duties
These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job, and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

• Serves as a member of the County's management team by planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing the Behavioral Health Plan administration activities for the DMC-ODS outpatient system of care, including Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Outpatient Services and Intensive Outpatient Services.
• Ensures successful implementation of evidence-based practices among network providers including: cognitive behavioral treatment, contingency management, medications for addiction treatment, motivational interviewing, recovery principles, and trauma-informed care through regular technical assistance provided to outpatient providers, participation in stakeholder meetings, and supporting the implementing of performance improvement projects among direct service providers.
• Implements system-side interventions to reach DMC-ODS outpatient level of care annual goals and outcome measures in collaboration with Quality Care Management and contracted outpatient providers, including identification of potential gaps with network adequacy standards and / or HEDIS measures for DMC-ODS outpatient services and regularly communicating identified challenges or barriers to departmental clinical leads.
• Directs, coordinates, and participates in the development of integrated screening and assessment workflows for County behavioral health outpatient programs and implement strategies for the integration of behavioral health services including mild / moderate mental health interventions and substance use disorder interventions consistent with CalAIM initiatives and department priorities.
• Participates in regular SmartCare Action Team meetings and serves as a liaison for DMC-ODS contracted providers for utilization of the County electronic health record and billing system, providing technical assistance with the user face including reporting functions, chart reviews, and CalOMS data entry; identifies barriers and communicates technical and / or clinical solutions to department leads.
• Oversees County SUD WRAP Outpatient treatment services by providing clinical oversight, staff clinical and administrative supervision, and adherence to documentation standards and minimum billable services requirements using weekly SmartCare reporting and data monitoring activities.
• Ensures County ADP direct service programs are in compliance with Department of Health Care Services certification requirements including Drug Medi-Cal certification requirements and AOD Certification requirements such as biannual renewals and site certification requirements.
• Provides strategic and operational leadership for the Behavioral Health Linkages Justice-Involved Re-Entry Initiative including clinical guidance for treatment of co-occurring
• conditions, monitoring of post-release linkage to behavioral health services, data management, and staff supervision.
• Evaluates SUD WRAP services and DMC-ODS programs to ensure adherence to strategic and performance goals; manages work systems and processes; maintains and updates procedures; researches trends and best practices in SUD treatment and BH services; and recommends and implements operational and /or program changes.
• Supervises SUD WRAP Outpatient staff and Behavioral Health Linkages staff, which include clinical, professional, and support staff; and is responsible for conducting performance evaluations, employee development, hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.
• Represents Behavioral Wellness in meetings and collaborative initiatives involving SUD intervention, treatment and recovery services collaborating with the general public, County staff, and external agencies regarding CalAIM Justice-Involved Re-Entry Initiatives, school-based SUD services, and outreach activities.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards
The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university inpublic health administration, public administration, behavioral/mental health,or related field and,
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a behavioral health field, mental health services, substance use disorder prevention or treatment services, social work, etc. including at least two (2) years as a supervisor or manager.
• A valid California license in one of the following:
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Psychiatrist

Note on Out-of-State Licensure: Applicants must possess valid California, clinical licensure in their profession at the time of application.
This position also requires the possession and maintenance of a valid California driver's license and the ability to meet automobile insurability requirements of the County or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as a condition of continued employment.
Supplemental Information
SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards. Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.
• Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.
• The most qualified candidates will be invited for an interview with the hiring department.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss the required deadlines.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 11/17/2026. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at
For recruitment related questions, please contact Vanessa Hernandez -
Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contribute