Salary: $93,105.35 - $119,861.71 Annually
Location : Portsmouth, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number:
Department: Behavioral Healthcare Services
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/24/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under limited supervision, performs highly responsible supervisory and administrative work overseeing the Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, Substance Abuse, Prevention, Emergency Services, and Supervising Support Services. Reports to the Director of Behavioral Healthcare Services.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Assist with planning, organizing and directing assigned programs and department divisions in accordance with established departmental policies, procedures and standards, and applicable local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; supervises, assigns, and reviews activities of division supervisors and administrative staff, instructing and advising, as necessary, and resolving problems as non-routine situations arise; reviews and evaluates program policies and procedures, and recommends changes to Director, as appropriate; coordinates activities between divisions; ensures clinical compliance as govern by regulatory agencies; and assumes the responsibility of the Director in his/her absence, ensuring proper operation of department programs and adherence to established policies, procedures, and standards.
Work involves strategic planning for behavioral healthcare services, planning, coordinating, and monitoring human services programs; responsible for overseeing the implementation of procedures and policies within the department and recommending changes to existing policies and procedures; analyzing data and preparing various oral and written reports.
Assists in developing departmental direction, priorities, goals and objectives to meet city and departmental needs; develops staff organization to effectively carry out departmental operations and to be responsive to both management and employee needs and concerns.
Prepares regular and special activity, statistical, or assessment reports as deemed necessary; performs necessary research and initiates correspondence to collect necessary information; assists in preparation of department's annual report.
Assists in preparation of agency budget proposal; monitors department spending; analyzes community need for the development of new services, and maintenance of acceptable professional standards; reviews monthly and quarterly reports to the state and regional local government. Responsible for overseeing the programs' clinical and productivity compliance to the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), State and Federal guidelines, and adherence to the performance contract.
Assists with the administrative oversight for departmental activities and functions; responsible for day-to-day supervision of division managers and coordinates the department's work production; and advises and assists in developing the departmental direction, priorities, goals and objectives to meet city, departmental and state human service's needs.
Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Knowledge of Job: Has thorough knowledge of the theory, principles, regulations/codes and methodologies of planning, directing, implementing, evaluating and ensuring compliance of a variety of human services programs. Has considerable knowledge of the administrative policies and procedures of public and human services administration, and considerable knowledge of managing budget, personnel and resource utilization and procurement. Is able to plan, direct, implement and evaluate services, activities, and programs; to plan and manage the work of staff; to formulate goals and develop plans to achieve same. Is able to plan and allocate resources in order to provide effective and responsive programs and services. Is able to understand and interpret oral and written instructions. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all departments and levels of government, co-workers, elected officials and the general public.
Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."
Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.
Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time- off requests.
Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.
Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment. Seeks expert or experienced advice when necessary.
Cooperation: Accepts direction from Board of Directors and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences is justified i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.
Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments, to project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, Board of Directors, professionals, elected officials, all levels of government and the general public.
Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establish a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions of time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.
Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly work place.
Planning: Plans, directs and uses information effectively in order to enhance activities and production of the department. Knows and understands the expectations of the city regarding the activities of the department and works to see that these expectations are met. Designs and formulates ways, means and timing to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and the city. Within the constraints of city policy, formulates the appropriate strategy and tactics for achieving departmental and city objectives. Organizes, arranges and allocates manpower, financial and other designated resources in an efficient and effective way so as to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and city.
Organizing: Organizes work and that of subordinate staff well. Ensures that staff members know what results are expected of them and that they are regularly and appropriately informed of all city and department matters affecting them and/or concern to them.
Staffing: Works with other city officials and management to select and recommend employment of personnel for the department who are qualified both technically and philosophically to meet the needs of the department and city. Personally directs the development and training of department personnel in order to ensure that they are properly inducted, oriented and trained.
Leading: Provides a work environment that encourages clear and open communications. Have a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied. Provides adequate feedback to staff so that they know whether their performance levels are satisfactory. Commends and rewards employees for outstanding performance yet does not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward the achievement of city goals and objectives.
Controlling: Provides a work environment that is orderly and controlled. Coordinates, audits and controls manpower and financial resources efficiently and effectively. Coordinates, audits and controls the utilization of materials and equipment efficiently and effectively. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city and Department standards, methods and procedures.
Delegating: Assigns additional duties to staff as necessary and/or appropriate in order to meet department goals, enhance staff abilities, build confidence on the job and assist staff members in personal growth. Has confidence in staff to meet new or additional expectations.
Decision-Making: Uses discretion and judgment in developing and implementing courses of action affecting the department. When a particular policy, procedure or strategy does not appear to be achieving the desired result, moves decisively and definitively to develop and implement alternatives.
Human Relations: Strives to develop and maintain good rapport with all staff members. Listens to and considers suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately. Maintains the respect and loyalty of staff.
Policy Implementation: Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city policies regarding the department and city function. Adheres to those policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from subordinate staff.
Policy Formulation: Keeps abreast of changes in operating philosophies and policies of the city and continually reviews department policies in order to ensure that any changes in city philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated. Also understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and department morale and performance. Works to see that established policies enhance same. Writes and approves policies and procedures for existing and new programs.
Education, Experience & Special Requirements
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Master's Degree in Human Services, Public Administration, Psychology or a related field, and 5- 7 years of professional social work experience, 3-5 years of supervision; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must possess a professional license in the State of Virginia as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Professional Counselor or Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) is preferred.
An acceptable general background check to include a local, state, and federal criminal history check and sex offender registry check.
A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.
In the event of a declared emergency in the city of Portsmouth, individuals in this position are required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the safety and care of the citizens of the community.
Required to work hours in excess on the normal schedule to accomplish the goals and objectives of the department.
Physical Demands
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Physical Requirements: Requires the ability to exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are those for Sedentary Work.
Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and or signal people to conveyor exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of checks, reports, records etc. Requires the ability to prepare letters, purchase orders, payment request, checks, etc. using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules punctuation, grammar, diction and style. Requires the ability to speak to peopl
