Salary: $97,469.00 - $121,836.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division: Juvenile Rehabilitation: Operations & Programs
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Job Title: Behavioral Health Program Administrator (WMS2)
Location: 1500 Jefferson St. SE in Olympia, WA.
Closes: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Salary: $97,469 - $121,836 Annually

The Opportunity:

Washington State Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) is seeking a visionary senior-level administrator to lead the agency's behavioral health enterprise - shaping how mental health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorder services are designed, delivered, and continuously improved for young people across the state. This is a rare opportunity to serve as the agency's foremost behavioral health authority: driving statewide strategy, championing evidence-based care, and ensuring that every young person in JR's care has access to developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive treatment. As Administrator of Behavioral Health Services, you will serve as the agency's statewide subject matter expert for all MH, SUD, and co-occurring disorder (COD) programming. You will lead service implementation, quality assurance, and legal and regulatory compliance - including alignment with WAC 246-341, Federal 42 CFR, HIPAA, and national accreditation standards. Working in close partnership with the Medical Director on innovative OUD and medical/behavioral interventions, and with the Mental Health Director on clinical service enhancement, you will drive full integration of co-occurring disorder treatment across all levels of care. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in behavioral health administration, a sophisticated understanding of youth-serving systems, and the leadership presence to operate effectively across clinical, operational, legislative, and intergovernmental settings. They possess demonstrated command of WAC/RCW compliance, experience with Medicaid systems and managed care partnerships, and a track record of building high-performing clinical teams. They will be equally comfortable authoring policy analysis for the Legislature and mentoring frontline clinical program managers. Experience with co-occurring disorder treatment integration and commitment to culturally and developmentally responsive care are essential. Join us in shaping the future of youth behavioral health in Washington State. This is a senior leadership role with statewide reach and genuine impact - for young people, families, communities, and for a field that demands courageous, skilled, and compassionate vision and execution. We encourage applications from leaders with lived experience and deep commitment to equity in behavioral health.
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Some of what you will do:

• Supervise SUD and MH Clinical Consultants, who in turn supervise treatment and intervention specialists at secure facilities.
• Partner with Medical & Behavioral Health team members, regional and facility leaders, and local clinical/administrative personnel to evaluate and refine assessment processes and levels of SUD/co-occurring treatment provided at institutions.
• Provide technical assistance and contract monitoring with community-based behavioral health providers to ensure effective and efficient execution of statements of work.
• Assure Behavioral Health operations comply with established standards, requirements, internal controls, regulations, and policies and procedures.
• Provide administrative support and oversite of all JR certified substance abuse treatment services.
• Provide frequent on-site consultation and technical expertise to administrators, clinicians, program leaders, direct service personnel, community-based organizations, and the public concerning behavioral health issues and activities within JR and with contracted providers.
• Oversee periodical audits and quality assurance observations of programs and professional licensures at secure facilities, and with contracted community-based providers.
• Partner with institution clinicians/administrators to establish and maintain a system of opioid/overdose prevention education.
• Implement and manage a system for tracking young people/staff completion of education and treatment activities and provide reporting to agency leadership.
• Responsible for grant development, planning, training, oversight, and ongoing quality assurance for implementation and maintenance of programs related to Behavioral Health Programming.
• Participate in the development of the annual budget, analyze and review budgetary and financial data, control expenditure, and maximize revenue generation.
• Monitor and analyze assigned operations for financial and program effectiveness, operational efficiency, and capacity to meet enterprise needs.
• Regular travel throughout the state to support facilities.

Required Qualifications:

Twelve years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health administration to include supervision, program planning, implementation, oversight/compliance, budgeting, contract development, management of statewide or large-scale projects, and understanding of public sector policy and regulation.

OR

A Master's degree in social service-related discipline from an accredited university, AND four years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health administration to include supervision, program planning, implementation, oversight/compliance, budgeting, contract development, management of statewide or large-scale projects, and understanding of public sector policy and regulation.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in social service-related discipline from an accredited university, AND six years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health administration to include supervision, program planning, implementation, oversight/compliance, budgeting, contract development, management of statewide or large-scale projects, and understanding of public sector policy and regulation.

OR

An Associate's degree in social service-related discipline from an accredited university, AND eight years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health administration to include supervision, program planning, implementation, oversight/compliance, budgeting, contract development, management of statewide or large-scale projects, and understanding of public sector policy and regulation.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Master's degree with a major study of Public health, Healthcare Administration, Social Sciences, or Social Work and in social services/behavioral health field and six years of experience in behavioral health administration, implementation and oversight, staff supervision, budgeting and contract development; management of statewide projects and understanding of DCYF/JR policies and procedures.
• Project management certification or advanced LEAN training.
• Comprehensive experience, knowledge and commitment to the principles, methods and service delivery practices of behavioral health, particularly evidence-based and emerging best practices.
• A clear vision for the operation of an integrated substance abuse and mental health services program. A strong clinical background.
• Knowledge of state/federal behavioral health funding, service systems and practices, and major changes in healthcare such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid 1115 Waiver (Reentry), and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
• Understanding of behavioral health financial management, budget analysis and preparations.
• Capacity to develop, organize and direct complex projects independently.

How do I apply?
Complete the online application and attach the following documents to your profile:

• Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
• Current resume detailing experience and education.

Supplemental Information

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington's children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an