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Posted: January 15, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Behavioral Health Program Manager (HCPM/MPD)

State of Washington

Health Care Authority

Fresh

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$6,576 - $8,842

per month

Closes

January 30, 2026More State jobs →

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves managing behavioral health programs in Washington State, focusing on crisis response teams that help people in mental health emergencies.

You'll work with partners to create contracts, monitor performance, and ensure teams meet quality standards across the state.

It's a great fit for someone who builds strong relationships, adapts to changing needs, and has experience in healthcare or crisis systems.

Key Requirements

  • Knowledge of contract management principles and behavioral health systems
  • Experience in developing and implementing quality improvement processes and monitoring tools
  • Ability to collaborate with internal teams, external agencies, and community stakeholders
  • Expertise in crisis response systems, including mobile rapid response and community-based teams
  • Strong relationship-building and adaptability to evolving legislative or community needs
  • Understanding of equity principles applied to healthcare analyses and processes
  • Familiarity with federal and state regulations for health care programs

Full Job Description

Behavioral Health Program Manager (HCPM/MPD)


Behavioral Health Program Manager (HCPM/MPD)

71101109

Are you seeking a meaningful career impacting healthcare delivery throughout the state?

HCA is seeking a team member with knowledge of contract management principles and behavioral health and crisis systems.

This position works with internal and external partners to develop and implement quality improvement processes and monitoring tools applied to behavioral health systems across the state.

The ideal candidate will be able to pivot as community, agency, or legislative needs evolve.

If you are a strong relationship builder who is able to adapt to changes in your work, this may be the opportunity for you!

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the division:

The mission of the Medicaid Programs Division (MPD) in the Health Care Authority (HCA) is to provide high quality administrative services to assist in the purchase and delivery of medical assistance program services to approximately 1.9 million Washington citizens.

The Strategic Design and Program Oversight (SDPO) Section works across the agency, between agencies (Department of Health, Department of Social and Health Services), and in partnership with health care providers and community stakeholders to develop and manage high-quality, evidence-based health care programs and purchase services that enhance Medicaid clients’ and clients of the crisis system’s access to care.

SDPO has the responsibility of making policy decisions and implementing and overseeing system design improvements, in accordance with federal and state regulation.

About the position:

This position will work to implement elements of legislation related to E2SHB 1134 of 2023.

This position is the subject matter expert in the areas related to the establishment of the endorsed mobile rapid response crisis team and community-based crisis team performance program.

This position will serve as a statewide resource for questions and issues related to implementing mobile rapid response crisis teams and community-based crisis team to seek endorsement.

The position is also responsible for working with the appropriate departments to ensure all mobile rapid response crisis teams or community-based crisis teams meet or exceed necessary requirements.

This position is eligible to telework and is typically not required to report on-site.The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington.

This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA has currently suspended the ability to support out-of-state telework.

Requirements

Some of what you will do:


  • Serve as primary MPD contact and, in collaboration with other HCA divisions, establish and monitor an endorsed mobile rapid response crisis team and community-based mobile crisis team contracting performance program to be implemented statewide.
  • Oversee contract language related to the establishment of grants to support mobile rapid response crisis teams and community-based crisis teams.
  • Partner with HCA’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) to develop and issue establishment grants.
  • Develop and implement processes to issue performance payments to mobile response crisis teams and community-based crisis teams that have met certain expectations.
  • Provide expert technical assistance:
  • To contractors around compliance with federal and state regulations.
  • In development of contract amendments related to endorsed mobile rapid response crisis teams.
  • In response to barriers to quality behavioral health care.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for coordination of issues related to quality development, assessment, and performance of endorsed mobile rapid response crisis teams.
  • Serve as subject matter expert for statewide management of Behavioral Health Administrative Service Only (BH-ASO) contracts
  • Develop and review monitoring tools and materials to ensure quality of care and adherence to best practices and federal and state requirements
  • Support the process of streamlining and coordination of contracts within the MPD team to develop more efficient practices, including policies and procedures.
  • Act as a subject matter expert to provide input on substantive areas of statewide policy and/or legislation, develop and provide recommendations on needed improvement related to programs, policies, and contracts.
  • Provide expert technical assistance and corrective action as needed in response to non-compliance with elements of the contract.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

  • Master’s degree from an accredited college with a major study in psychology, sociology, public health, public administration, social work, or closely related field and
  • Three (3) years of supervisory or consultative experience in working with the public behavioral health system with duties and responsibilities in the specialized field of behavioral health treatment services.

Option 2:

  • Bachelor’s degree with major study in psychology, sociology, public health, public administration, social work, or closely related field and
  • Five (5) years of supervisory or consultative experience in working with the public behavioral health system with duties and responsibilities in the specialized field of behavioral health treatment services.

Option 3:

  • Associate degree in a related field and
  • Seven (7) years of supervisory or consultative experience in working with the public behavioral health system with duties and responsibilities in the specialized field of behavioral health treatment services.

Option 4:

  • Nine (9) years of supervisory or consultative experience in working with the public behavioral health system with duties and responsibilities in the specialized field of behavioral health treatment services.

Option 5:

  • One year as a Health Care Program Specialist in state service.

Required competencies:

  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
  • Previously demonstrated knowledge of the State of Washington’s behavioral health system.
  • Previously demonstrated experience working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including other government agencies, county commissioners, municipal leaders, community-based providers, and advocates.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Current license/credentials as a behavioral health professional.
  • Experience in providing outreach and education about behavioral health programs in a community setting, including working with providers, tribal entities, and Urban Indian Health Organizations, MCOs, BH-ASOs and other stakeholders who are participants in the implementation of Integrated Managed Care.
  • Experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation of health care programs in a community setting.
  • Project management, including team facilitation and process improvement methods.
  • Experience working with diverse client populations with clients with behavioral health issues; including cultural competency in working with an ethnically diverse population.
  • Experience in participating in and facilitating meetings and task forces involving internal and external stakeholders at the state and local level.
  • Experience analyzing data and providing technical assistance related to data collection and submission concerns.
  • Health services program development: Procure contracts for programs that serve Medical Assistance clients, including but not limited to managed care. Work with contract development and management, including contract monitoring.
  • Knowledge of state and federal laws, policies, regulations and procedures on Medicaid and behavioral healthcare both within and outside the Health Care Authority.
  • Experience in technical and non-technical report writing for both low-literacy audiences and others, such as executive leadership, internal staff, contractors and interested stakeholders.
  • Skill in strategic planning, data management, and conducting research into trends, utilization patterns and use of services by high-risk clients.
  • Knowledge of HCA programs and payment mechanisms; managed care operations; policy development related to health and behavioral health care delivery; and integration of quality measurement and program evaluation.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification.

To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

  • A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
  • Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

  • Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Additional Information

About HCA:

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery.

Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.What we have to offer:

  • Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
  • A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
  • A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
  • A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
  • A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
  • And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.

HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description.

Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply.

If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov.

Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov or 360.725.0945.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.


E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 1/15/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/16/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5199873