Assistant Director Behavioral Health

Full Job Description

**To view the full recruitment brochure, click HERE.

THE POSITION:

Under the administrative direction of the Director of Behavioral Health, the Assistant Director is responsible for assisting in the planning, coordination, and administration of all Behavioral Health services.

This includes oversight of operational functions such as budget development and fiscal control, staffing and personnel management, and collaboration with the Board of Supervisors, community stakeholders, and partner agencies.

While not a clinical position, the role requires a strong understanding of clinical environments to effectively support service delivery and lead administrative functions.

The Assistant Director also serves as Acting Director in the Director's absence and must be prepared to step into that role as needed.

This position requires a strategic, organized, and diplomatic leader who can address immediate operational needs while also planning for long-term system improvements.

A master’s degree is required, and at least three years of executive-level experience in a comparable or larger county or public agency years is highly desired.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator who builds trust with staff, stays focused on countywide priorities, and works in alignment with the department’s mission and values. They are a leader who is ready to take on broader responsibility in a complex, high-impact system.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
This classification is specific to the Health Care Agency. It can be distinguished from other behavioral health classifications by the broad span of authority and responsibility for the development and management of behavioral health programs, and related activities.

The Assistant Director Behavioral Health is an At-Will classification that is exempt from the provision of the Civil Service Ordinance and serves at the pleasure of the Director of the Behavioral Health department.

Requirements

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Through subordinate Division managers, manages all departmental clinical operations including integrated (mental health and substance use) county-operated and contracted treatment services for adults, children, and families; forensics & specialty operations, and 24-hour & emergency services;
• Works closely with Chief Financial Officer and Financial Services leadership to strategize, plan, develop, manage, and execute fiscal goals, objectives, policies, and procedures;
• Assists the Director in implementation of long-term strategy, administrative integration, and service delivery phases of major multi-year legislative initiatives;
• Assists the Director in planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating, through division managers, a comprehensive system of integrated behavioral health services, managed care operations and administrative services;
• Assists the Director in providing leadership in evaluating the effectiveness of both organizational practices and treatment services provided by the Department; directs strategic planning, development and evaluation and may facilitate special reviews and may direct changes in Department policies, procedures and service practices;
• Assists in preparation, monitoring, modification and maximum use of the Department budget;
• Prepares a variety of reports and correspondence;
• Assures that federal, state and local standards, regulations, and laws are effectively implemented;
• Analyzes behavioral health legislation to determine its impact on and implementation of resulting County services;
• Exercises a high level of independent action and decision making over departmental operations;
• Oversees and analyzes all services, including contractor performance to ensure they are effective, and administered to maximize use of the Department's budget;
• Assures culturally diverse County community experience, equal access, and equitable services through full operational implementation of a culturally competent system of care;
• Helps develop and maintain a comprehensive system of recruitment, staff development and retention driven by performance standards and accomplishments;
• Serves as liaison with State and Federal agencies, other County agencies, boards and commissions;
• Establishes effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders and community members, including behavioral health clients/consumers, families, contracted community-based organizations, and other community partners;
• In conjunction with the Medical Director and clinical leadership, ensures that clinical services and practices are relevant, current, culturally competent, and meet the goals of the individuals served and the mission of the organization; monitors, evaluates and reports on the efficiency and service quality of contracted services and communicates these findings to the Director; assists in the negotiation of provider contracts; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in one of the following: hospital administration, public/behavioral health administration, public/business administration, mental health, substance use, psychiatric, public health nursing, psychology, counseling, social work, nursing, or a closely related field; and, Five (5) years of progressively responsible management and administrative experience in a psychiatric, mental health and/or substance use setting.

This experience must include responsibility for either program development, evaluation of diagnostic and treatment services, methods, and standards, program planning, implementation, evaluation, budget preparation, and fiscal control.

Two (2) years of the above experience must include supervision of subordinate supervisory staff in a psychiatric, mental health and/or substance use setting.

DESIRED

• Experience evaluating, preparing and controlling a department budget
• Experience interacting with board and community members
• Experience in a similar size county or larger
• At least 3 years supervision and staffing experience in a mental health setting

Other Requirements

• Possession of a valid California driver's license by the date of appointment
• Completion of and passing a thorough background investigation, which may include a CA DOJ and FBI Live Scan.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:Comprehensive knowledge of: principles and techniques of organizational development, performance management, and change leadership, budget development and control, data evaluation, best practices of behavioral health program planning and administration including managed care operations; recruitment, supervision and personnel management; community and family strength based services of local community behavioral health programs; integrated, inter-relationships of services provided by local public and private behavioral health agencies and community based organizations; and the principles of the various behavioral health disciplines.

Comprehensive ability to: select, assign, direct, supervise and evaluate performance of professional and support personnel; coordinate efforts and resources to maximize efficiency, communicate openly and clearly both written and orally with diverse audiences and stakeholders; serve as a liaison and collaborative partner with other County departments and the community based organizations, prepare clear concise reports and correspondence, analyze and develop systemic and organizational change to meet the dynamic needs of the community and/or State or Federal policy changes.

Supplemental Information:
Work is primarily performed in an office environment, but the incumbent will be required to meet with various departments/agencies, business and community groups, the public, and outside vendors. Some travel, primarily within the state, is also required.

Additional Information

To APPLY for this exceptional career opportunity, please send a resume and a cover letter illustrating your experience with the following:

• Managing behavioral health programs, including supervising supervisory staff and overseeing multiple service areas
• Preparing, monitoring and controlling department budgets and contracts
• Strategic planning to effectively lead program development, implement legislative initiatives and ensure regulatory compliance
• Proven skills building partnerships with community organizations, boards, and government agencies, emphasizing equity and cultural competence; collaborating and engaging stakeholders
• Demonstrated success in improving service quality, operational efficiency, and driving organizational change in behavioral health settings.

If you are interested, submit an application at www.ventura.org/jobs and attach your current resume and cover letter.

First review of resumes is anticipated to be the week of September 15, 2025, to determine if the stated requirements are met. All relevant work experience, training, and education need to be included in order to determine eligibility. Review will be on a weekly basis thereafter.

Following an evaluation of the resumes, the most qualified candidates will be invited to panel interviews.

The top candidates, as determined by the panel, will then be invited to second/final interviews.

The interviews may be consolidated into one process or expanded into multiple interviews contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Sabrina Anderson by email at: Sabrina.Anderson@venturacounty.gov or by telephone at (805) 654-2642.