Salt Lake County is seeking a Director of the Division of Behavioral Health to lead innovative, collaborative efforts to address substance misuse and mental illness in Salt Lake County.  This position will oversee a team of 25 and a budget of more than $150M, including approximately $100M in Medicaid funding; manage the relationship and contract with the Managed Care Organization; develop an outcomes reporting structure; engage state and local policymakers to improve behavioral health policy and funding; and participate in high-level partnerships to address the intersection of behavioral health, criminal justice and homelessness.

This role requires a deep understanding of behavioral health treatment system models and funding strategies, strong organizational and people skills, attention to detail, ability to work in high-pressure and evolving circumstances, positive relationships with non-profit providers, and the ability to communicate effectively with state, county and municipal leaders as well as a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

The County Council serves as the Behavioral Health Authority for Salt Lake County, approving policy and funding to support behavioral health efforts.   The Behavioral Health Division sits within the Human Service Department under the Mayor’s portfolio.  The Department includes Aging and Adult Services, Criminal Justice Services (pretrial and probation), Public Health, Youth Services, and contracts for Indigent Legal Services and USU Extension Services. This Director position reports to the Human Services Department Director. 

The Behavioral Health Division administers the legacy Medicaid benefit (the state oversees Medicaid expansion products), federal block grant, state and county funding.  The Division contracts with a managed care organization to administer the Medicaid benefit.  The provider network includes more than 100 providers across Salt Lake County to ensure network adequacy for all individuals qualifying for services. The Division also coordinates closely with the housing authority and local providers to expand supportive housing stock for people with mental illness and/or in recovery from substance misuse.

The Behavioral Health Division serves a key leadership role in efforts to implement the 10-year Behavioral Health and Justice Action plan – a multi-faceted effort to transform how our systems address behavioral health, criminal justice and homelessness.

JOB SUMMARY

Directs, plans, oversees, and evaluates all programs and services for the Division. This includes short- and long-range strategic planning, talent management, fiscal accountability, quality management, and process improvement. Develops, recommends, and implements strategic organizational policies and procedures. Manages, directs, and coordinates activities through managers and supervisors.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Public Administration, Business or other closely related field, plus eight (8) years of related progressively more responsible experience, four (4) years of which must have been in a leadership or managerial capacity; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Education may not be substituted for the required supervisory experience.

A Master’s degree in a related field of study or a Clinical Social Worker license issued by the State of Utah is preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Provides leadership in short- and long-range planning to accomplish operational planning and development goals and objectives for an effective managed care system of service delivery.
• Oversees policies, contracts and quality assurance protocols including peer review ensuring subcontracted providers are prepared for competitive service delivery.
• Manages, directs, and coordinates activities through managers and supervisors, which includes hiring, firing, promoting, orienting, training, assigning, and reviewing work performance, annual work performance appraisal, and discipline.
• Manages annual division budget development, presentation and management. Provides leadership for the administration of Medicaid, federal block grant and state funding.
• Oversees development of the Behavioral Health Area Plan for submittal to the state.
• Develops, recommends, and implements policies and procedures necessary for the effective management and operation of the Division.
• Provides ongoing oversight of the electronic health information system, a program evaluation system, and data management reports to guide Quality Assurance efforts.
• Oversees the ongoing implementation of an outcome-based research and evaluation system for client treatment services.
• Establishes effective working relationships with other local and state human service agencies, community members and those with lived experience, law enforcement and justice agencies, housing providers and federal agencies to ensure effective coordinated service delivery systems that meet the needs of communities
• Interacts with elected officials and other policymakers at the state and county levels to influence policy to improve services and service access for people with substance misuse and mental health conditions.
• Participates in organizations and boards working to support people with behavioral health conditions to develop policies and funding mechanisms for services.
• Advises management of industry trends and legislative changes affecting programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:

• Medicaid finance and policy
• Managed care (risk-based contracts) systems
• Federal, State, and local laws pertaining to substance misuse and mental health treatment, including those covering funding and data privacy
• Behavioral Health Local Authority structure and requirements
• Budgetary processes and financial management techniques
• Behavioral health treatment principles and techniques
• Community-based providers and other organizations, public relations, and media relations
• Research and program evaluation, theory and practice
• Methods and techniques of administration, management and supervision
• Advisory board development and oversight; parliamentary procedures
• Contracts and grants management
• Management of information systems and techniques for data analysis

Skills and Abilities to:

• Negotiate Medicaid programs and rates
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with clients, staff and other agencies, the public, policy makers and funders
• Engage community members and those with lived experience to determine system needs
• Organize and establish priorities; coordinate and direct programs
• Respond professionally and calmly in crisis situations
• Act independently
• Supervise and direct a complex, multi-faceted program
• Relate positively with various community agencies, providers, and systems
• Conceptualize and problem-solve complex issues
• Develop, interpret, and administer policies and procedures
• Perform effectively under stress