Salary : $150,662.51 - $232,775.50 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Full Time At-Will
Job Number: 06832
Department: HHSA
Opening Date: 09/07/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) is currently recruiting for a Director of Behavioral Health-HHSA to lead a team of professionals in the Behavioral Health Branch. The successful candidate will enjoy a variety of challenges and the opportunity to work with a creative and energetic management team. The Behavioral Health Director will work closely with the Health & Human Services Agency Director and the directors of HHSA's other branches: Public Health, Human Services, and Fiscal Operations. The Director of Behavioral Health is an at-will position, reporting to the Agency's Director.

Under general direction, the ideal candidate will plan, organize, develop, and direct the functions, services, and programs of the Behavioral Health Branch, including Adult and Child Services and the Alcohol and Other Drug program. It is expected that the Director of Behavioral Health will make a positive impact on the quality of services provided to behavioral health consumers by implementing policies and procedures related to behavioral health care and overseeing all consumers of behavioral health services.

The Director of Behavioral Health must be knowledgeable of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. The ideal candidate will be familiar with principles and practices of organization, administration, personnel management, and budget preparation. The successful candidate will have a broad understanding of modern, complex principles and practices in behavioral health, substance abuse, and behavior/health program development.

The Director of Behavioral Health will be expected to bring a collaborative, open-minded approach to the position, actively engaging with other HHSA branches and agencies or departments outside the HHSA organizational structure to enhance service delivery to the residents of Tulare County. The chosen candidate will be accountable for developing and maintaining positive relationships with elected officials, the Board of Supervisors, city and state officials, the courts, representatives of the communities served, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will serve as a spokesperson for the Branch and as a liaison with community, regional, or state agencies on issues related to adult and child behavioral health services.
Typical Duties
Key Initiatives Underway in Behavioral Health

The new Director of Behavioral Health-HHSA will be joining the organization at an exciting and transformative time in behavioral health. The chosen candidate will be expected to oversee the development or rollout of several key initiatives.

• Support Children/Youth/Prevention: School-based Prevention Services, crisis response, and FFPSA-CWS Collaborative
• Development and monitor a Crisis Continuum/Infrastructure: CRT-Jackson House, CSU Children's-KH and RI Blueprint
• Criminal Justice: JBCT and Diversion-expansion of Behavioral Health Court
• Support the workforce and implement employee growth and promotional opportunities, internship with universities, and loan repayment
• Oversee CalAIM Implementation & Quality of Services: Enhanced Consumer Base, Payment Reform, Documentation/Problem Lists, and Value-Based Services
• Support Homelessness and Housing Initiative; Care Court and AOT/ACT team expansion

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, develop, and manage programs and services, including building/monitoring complex budgets with multiple funding streams
• Motivate and mentor professional staff within the Branch
• Bring a "can do" and forward-thinking mindset to the job
• Communicate effectively with people from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Explain complex and technical terminology and concepts
• Direct the updating and maintenance of a variety of personal, medical, and administrative records and clinical documentation
• Must be committed to cultural competency in theory and practice
• Ability to perform duties detailed in the adopted job specification for the position

Minimum Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet the qualifications listed below by the application deadline.

Education and Experience:

In accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Division 1, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 620, the local Director of Behavioral Health Services shall be one of the following:
a) A physician and surgeon licensed in the State of California showing evidence of having completed the required course of graduate psychiatric education as defined in Section 623 to be supplemented by an additional period of two years of training or practice limited to the field of psychiatry, one year of which shall have been administrative experience.

b) A psychologist who shall be licensed in the State of California and shall possess a doctorate degree in psychology from an institution of higher education. In addition, the psychologist shall have had at least three years of acceptable clinical psychology experience, two years of which shall be administrative experience.

c) A clinical social worker who shall possess a master's degree in social work or higher and shall be a licensed clinical social worker under provisions of the California Business and Professions Code and shall have had at least five years behavioral health experience, two years of which shall have been administrative experience.

d) A marriage, family, and child counselor who shall have a master's degree in an approved behavioral science course of study, and who shall be a licensed marriage, family, and child counselor and have received specific instruction, or its equivalent, as required for licensure on January 1, 1981. In addition, the marriage, family, and child counselor shall have had at least five years of behavioral health experience, two years of which shall have been administrative experience. The term, specific instruction, contained in Sections 5751 and 5751.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall not be limited to school, college, or university classroom instruction, but may include equivalent demonstrated experience in assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of premarital, marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions.

e) A nurse who shall possess a master's degree in psychiatric or public health nursing and shall be licensed as a registered nurse by the Board of Registered Nursing in the State of California and shall have had at least five years behavioral health experience, two of which shall have been administrative experience. Additional post-baccalaureate experience in a behavioral health setting may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the educational requirements.

f) An administrator who shall have a master's degree in hospital administration, public health administration, or public administration from an accredited college or university, and who shall have at least three years of experience in hospital or health care administration, two of which shall have been in the behavioral health field. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis with the approval of the Department.
Additional Information
Conditions of Employment

• Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may be conducted, including a reinvestigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.
• If in a driving position, candidates must be able to obtain and retain a valid California driver's license.

Student Loan Forgiveness

• This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007, and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit:

**PLEASE NOTE: ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED**

Bargaining Unit 11

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums(medical, dental, vision and life) and long-term disability insurance premiums. This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO or HMO dental plans which include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
3 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
4 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
5 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
6 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 48 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Career Incentive Pay

Employees who have completed five (5) or more Years of Service with Tulare County and meet the eligibility criteria described in Administrative Regulation - 52, earn additional pay according to the schedule below.
Years of Service

% Increase

Total

5

3%

3%

10

2%

5%

15

3%

8%

20

2%

10%
Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $50,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Long Term Disability Insurance: A Long Term Disability plan is provided. This provides financial protection for you by paying a portion of your income while you are disabled. Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at