Summary

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeks a senior executive to serve as Director of the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordination Office. This leader directs implementation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, oversees behavioral health crisis policy and operations, coordinates with federal agencies and external partners, advises senior leadership on crisis system strategy, and drives initiatives to strengthen nation's behavioral health crisis response.

Duties

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Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordination Office, overseeing the implementation, expansion, and continuous improvement of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and broader behavioral health crisis system transformation initiatives. Directs day-to-day office operations, supervises multidisciplinary staff, establishes organizational priorities, manages workforce planning and performance, and leads the development, analysis, implementation, and dissemination of behavioral health policy and strategic initiatives. Serves as the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary and senior SAMHSA leadership on national 988 policy, crisis system development, and program implementation, ensuring alignment with Departmental priorities and federal objectives.

Leads cross-government coordination and serves as the primary liaison among SAMHSA, HHS, other federal agencies, states, crisis centers, and public and private stakeholders to advance a comprehensive national behavioral health crisis response system. Provides executive oversight of strategic planning, performance management, program evaluation, communications, and technical assistance activities; reviews and approves major policy documents, reports, and congressional materials; and represents SAMHSA in high-level meetings, interagency initiatives, and public forums. Develops evidence-based recommendations, monitors program outcomes, and drives continuous improvement to strengthen national crisis services and ensure effective delivery of behavioral health programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Subject to a 1-year SES probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• You must meet the qualification requirements of this position no later than the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.

Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1:

Behavioral Health Crisis Systems Leadership

Demonstrated executive-level experience providing strategic leadership for behavioral health crisis systems, including the development, implementation, and oversight of behavioral health crisis programs, policies, and services. This includes expertise in crisis response systems, phone-based crisis services, mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders, program planning and implementation, and advising senior leadership on behavioral health policy and national program initiatives.

TQ 2:

Executive Management and Organizational Leadership

Demonstrated executive-level experience leading complex public health or behavioral health organizations through strategic planning, organizational management, workforce leadership, budget formulation and execution, and performance management. This includes supervising multidisciplinary staff, building high-performing teams, managing employee performance and workforce development, ensuring responsible stewardship of fiscal resources, and using performance data to drive organizational decision-making and continuous improvement.

TQ 3:

Executive Collaboration, Legislative Affairs, and Stakeholder Engagement

Demonstrated executive-level experience developing and sustaining collaborative relationships with Federal, state, Tribal, local, nonprofit, and private-sector partners to advance behavioral health or comparable public health initiatives. This includes leading coalitions and cross-sector collaborations, providing subject matter expertise on legislative and policy matters, reviewing legislative proposals and responding to congressional or executive inquiries, and effectively communicating complex technical and policy information to senior executives, policymakers, and diverse stakeholder audiences.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

• ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

• ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

No minimum education requirements for this position.

Additional information

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Mobility:

Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement

Preferred Experience:

Experience leading large-scale behavioral health or public health programs, including crisis response, policy development, program implementation, and cross-sector coordination, while advising senior executives, managing multidisciplinary teams, and collaborating with federal, state, Tribal, local, and private-sector partners to advance complex national initiatives.

Salary:

Salary for Senior Executive Service positions varies depending on qualifications. The annual salary range may be found at the top of this announcement. This position may be eligible for performance bonuses and performance-based pay adjustments.

Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure

HHS inspires public confidence by maintaining high ethical principles, and all Federal Government employees are subject to the conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct, that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 also requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.