Behavioral Health Program Manager-26410810

Salary: $120,952.00 - $133,348.80 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Job Number:
Department: Behavioral Health Services
Division: Behavioral Health Services
Opening Date: 10/26/2026
Closing Date: 11/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Summary
The County of San Diego, Department of Behavioral Health Services (BHS),
is currently recruiting for the position of

Behavioral Health Program Manager
Interviews will take place the week of November 23, 2026.
Job offers for selected candidates will be made the week of November 30, 2026.The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate's qualifications at time of appointment.
Future Salary Increases:

** June 2027 - 4.7% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 1.7% Market Adjustment Increase)

The following additional pay incentives and premiums are available:

** 3% Behavioral Health Program Manager Classification Premium (applied to time worked)
The County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Behavioral Health Program Manager (BHPM). BHS is seeking to fill multiple BHPM positions with this recruitment, including within Adult Outpatient Mental Health Clinics, Adult Case Management, and Next Move, a County-operated outpatient specialty mental health program serving youth and young adults ages 11 to 21 who are justice-involved or at risk of justice involvement, including those transitioning from juvenile detention to the community. The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies within other BHS units, including positions within the San Diego Psychiatric Hospital, and Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court team, and Office of Public Conservator Team.

Adult Behavioral Health Clinics

BHPMs provide clinical and operational leadership at one of the County's three adult outpatient behavioral health clinics. Responsibilities include supervising clinical and administrative staff, providing clinical consultation, implementing policies and practice standards, supporting staff development, and overseeing access, service quality, productivity, and resources. The position collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, County partners, and community providers to support coordinated, person-centered care for adults with serious mental health needs. Ideal candidates bring strong leadership and communication skills, a commitment to quality improvement, and the ability to build supportive teams while guiding services through an evolving behavioral health system.

Adult Case Management Program

BHPMs provide clinical and operational leadership at one of the County's case management programs serving adults with serious mental illness, including individuals under LPS conservatorship, experiencing homelessness, and/or requiring intensive community-based support. Responsibilities include supervising case management and direct service staff, providing clinical consultation, overseeing crisis response, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and monitoring service quality, productivity, documentation, and outcomes. The position collaborates with County programs, community providers, hospitals, and families to support coordinated, person-centered care. Ideal candidates bring strong leadership and communication skills, experience working with high-acuity populations, a commitment to quality improvement and system coordination, and the ability to build supportive teams while guiding services through an evolving behavioral health system.

Next Move Program

Next Move has Behavioral Health Program Manager openings at the Southeastern Live Well Center in San Diego and the North Coastal Live Well Center in Oceanside. Next Move is a County-operated outpatient specialty mental health program serving youth and young adults ages 11 to 21 who are justice-involved or at risk of justice involvement, including those transitioning from juvenile detention to the community. BHPMs provide clinical and operational leadership, including direct supervision, coaching, and development of, multidisciplinary clinical teams, providing clinical consultation, overseeing service delivery, crisis response, and implementation of Functional Family Therapy (FFT), and ensuring compliance with Medi-Cal and regulatory requirements. Responsibilities also include monitoring access to care, productivity, documentation, service quality, and client outcomes. The position works closely with Probation, courts, families, schools, and community partners to coordinate care and support successful transitions. Ideal candidates bring strong clinical leadership and communication skills, experience supervising multidisciplinary teams, the ability to manage competing priorities, and a commitment to staff development, quality improvement, and providing responsive, youth- and family-centered services.

Read additional information for , including required education and experience, essential functions, working conditions, etc.

Interviews and Hiring Process

The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

• Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Qualifying Education/Experience:

1. A current license by the State of California to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist; AND,
2. A master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in psychology, counseling, social work, or a closely related field; AND,
3. Three (3) years of full-time post-master's degree experience in a mental health program providing case management and/or counseling, and crisis intervention to a particular group or program under clinical supervision.

Blind Applicant Screening:

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Condition of Employment:

As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation Process:

1. The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a three (3) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Accommodation:
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

Click here to see the Non-Management Benefits Summary
01

Please indicate if you are currently licensed by the State of California as any of the following:

• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• I am not currently licensed by the State of CA in any of the licenses listed above.

02

If you selected any of the licenses listed in question #1, please provide your current license number in the space below.
If you are not currently licensed by the State of California, indicate "N/A."
03

Do you have a master's degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a closely related field? If "Yes," please indicate your field of study and attach a copy of your degree, transcripts, or foreign equivalency certification with this application.

• Psychology
• Counseling
• Social Work
• Other closely related field
• I have a master's degree, but in a different field of study
• I do not have a master's degree

04

Do you have three (3) years of full-time post-master's degree experience in a mental health program providing case management and/or counseling and crisis intervention to a particular group or program under clinical supervision?

• Yes
• No

05

Please briefly describe your experience in question #4. If you do not have any experience, please indicate "N/A."
06

Please briefly describe your supervisory and/or management experience overseeing mental or behavioral health program(s). If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A".
07

Please indicate the areas below in which you have experience. Check all that apply.

• Management of a department or unit
• Supervise, train, review, and evaluate the work of professional and para-professional employees.
• Review cases and client evaluations with assigned staff and provide direction and guidance.
• Conduct needs assessments, define and address training issues, and set goals for programs.
• Conduct meetings with staff to review and discuss client cases, develop treatment plans, and assign projects.
• Interact with quality control staff to ensure treatment plans and programs for clients are appropriate and up to date.
• Implement psychosocial rehabilitation/recovery services.
• Develop, implement, and train to new procedures to support system enhancements.
• None of the above.

08

Please indicate the areas below in which you have experience. Check all that apply.

• Coordinate activities with governmental or private agencies that provide services to behavioral health clients.
• Coordinate assigned program services with care coordinators and staff from other programs.
• Provide resource information, education, and consultation to representatives of clinic programs, outside agencies, community groups, or the general public.
• Participate on task forces or committees with other behavioral health professionals to resolve problems and to ensure continuity of services.
• Evaluate behavioral health programs to determine if the quality of services is meeting goals and objectives.
• None of the above.

09

Do you have experience working with the SmartCare management information system or other management information systems?

• SmartCare
• Other
• No experience

10

If you responded "Other" in the previous question, please describe.
11

Which of the following work arrangements would you consider? Please note that not all job classifications and/or Departments offer teleworking work arrangements. Check all that apply:

• In Office
• Hybrid (combination of teleworking and in office)

12