Behavioral Health Reentry Demonstration Initiative Planner
King County
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Posted: February 25, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Behavioral Health Strategist - Opioid Focus (MA 5) DOH8844
State of Washington
Dept. of Health
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$6,414 - $8,628
per month
Type
Full-Time
More Healthcare & Medical jobs →Closes
March 5, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This remote job involves leading Washington's efforts to combat the opioid crisis by developing plans, managing settlement funds, and coordinating with agencies, tribes, and communities to improve behavioral health outcomes.
It focuses on creating equitable strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery from substance misuse.
A good fit would be someone with deep experience in public health policy, strong partnership-building skills, and a passion for addressing health inequities in underserved areas.
Key Requirements
- Expert knowledge of opioid policy, substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery systems
- Experience in strategic planning and leading statewide initiatives, such as response plans
- Ability to provide high-level policy analysis and recommendations to executive leadership
- Strong skills in building and maintaining partnerships with state agencies, Tribal governments, local health entities, and community organizations
- Commitment to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for disproportionately impacted communities
- Proficiency in coordinating cross-agency efforts and aligning investments in behavioral health
- Experience with managing funds, such as opioid settlement dollars, for equitable and effective use
Full Job Description
This home-based (remote) position is open to Washington residents and those residing on the ID/WA and OR/WA borders.
Behavioral Health Strategist – Management Analyst 5
Center for Access to Whole Person Care
Permanent · Full-time
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) works to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington.
The Center for Access to Whole Person Care (CAWPC), housed within the Executive Office of Prevention, Safety and Health (OPSH), advances population health innovation, health systems and workforce transformation, and alignment across public health, healthcare, and social care systems to further the Quintuple Aim: health equity, better care, affordable care, a resilient health workforce, and improved population health.
The Opportunity
The Behavioral Health Strategist serves as the agency’s lead expert on opioid-related policy and strategy, guiding statewide coordination to address substance use, misuse, and overdose across the prevention, treatment, and recovery continuum.
This role leads, on behalf of DOH and in partnership with the Washington State Health Care Authority, the development and management of the State Opioid and Overdose Response Plan (SOORP), including strategic planning for the use of Opioid Settlement funds.
The Strategist works across state agencies, local public health, Tribal governments, and community-based organizations to strengthen partnerships, align investments, and improve behavioral health outcomes statewide.
This position provides expert-level analysis and policy recommendations to agency Center and Executive leadership on complex issues with broad impact.
The position reports to the Executive Director, Center for Access to Whole Person Care.
Key Responsibilities Include
Statewide Strategy & Planning
- Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the State Opioid and Overdose Response Plan.
- Develop strategies and processes for responsible, equitable, and effective use of Opioid Settlement funds.
- Align opioid and overdose initiatives with broader whole-person care and behavioral health transformation efforts.
Policy Leadership & Analysis
- Provide executive-level analysis and recommendations on complex behavioral health and opioid-related policy issues.
- Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities across prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery systems.
- Ensure strategies advance health equity and improve outcomes for disproportionately impacted communities.
Cross-Agency & Community Coordination
- Coordinate opioid-related work across DOH divisions and with sister state agencies.
- Foster collaboration with local public health, Tribal governments, local opioid task forces, and community-based organizations.
- Promote shared accountability and aligned action across state and local systems.
Engagement & Systems Alignment
- Build and maintain strong partnerships to advance statewide overdose prevention and response efforts.
- Represent DOH in high-level interagency and public forums.
- Support system alignment between public health, healthcare, and social care sectors.
Why You’ll Love This Role
This is an opportunity to shape Washington’s statewide response to one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
The Behavioral Health Strategist plays a visible leadership role, influences high-level policy and funding decisions, and works alongside committed partners across government and community systems.
The position offers meaningful impact, collaborative engagement, and the chance to help build a more equitable, resilient behavioral health system for Washington residents.
Required Qualifications
There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed.
Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.
Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in public health, Health Care Administration, Public Administration, or a health-related field such as nursing, social work, counseling, or psychology; AND a minimum of 3 years of experience working in or with large or small behavioral health care/provider systems or working with state government organizations focused on behavioral health issues.
Option 2: 5 years of experience working in or with large or small behavioral health care/provider systems or working with state government organizations focused on behavioral health issues
Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience
- A minimum of 2 years of project management experience
- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or managing programs, initiatives, or services addressing opioid use disorder and/or substance use disorders.
- Demonstrated experience in group coordination and facilitation
- Preparing and presenting complex information through verbal, written, and visual communication, including reports, charts, and dashboards.
- Experience managing multiple projects, coordinating tasks, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, develop solutions, and support decision-making.
- Developing and implementing inclusive strategies that improve health care access, outcomes, and community engagement.
Preferred Qualifications
While these aren’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.
- Knowledge of the Washington state behavioral health landscape.
- Experience working in a Behavioral Health Provider Setting, either mental health or substance use related.
- Project management certification or training in project management methodologies and tools.
- Knowledge of state and national priorities regarding behavioral health issues.
Employee Benefits
We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work-life balance.
You’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you’re living today.
Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage.
Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health.
About the Washington State Department of Health
We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health.
Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience.
At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health.
Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.
Working Conditions:
The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Setting:
- The incumbent may work from home, DOH facilities, or remotely from an alternative location. The official duty station for this position is home-based. If onsite work is requested by the supervisor, the request will be planned and communicated in advance.
- This position requires reliable access to an internet connection sufficient to perform all job duties remotely.
- This position requires being stationary and working at a computer for extended periods of time.
- Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in an office environment.
- Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in government or home office environments. This position works in a fast-paced environment with multiple assignments and priority deadlines.
Schedule:
- Standard DOH business hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Travel Requirements:
- Infrequent travel may be requested, as needed, to meet with partners and engage in coordination.
- When driving for state business, the incumbent must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle; OR arrange travel by alternative transportation.
Tools & Equipment:
- This position uses standard office furniture and equipment, such as a desk, office chair, cell phone, computer, monitor(s), keyboard, and mouse; and when in the office, the position may also require the use of a printer, phone, fax machine, and/or copy machine.
Customer Interactions:
- The position frequently requires engaging with department experts/program staff, other state agencies, and local partners in shaping the efforts of the department in addressing the needs of our state. Interaction may be in person, by telephone, or by computer.
Other:
- This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
- The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment.
- This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities.
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APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:
We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.
Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable).
List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).
DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.
Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application.
Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.
DOH is an equal-opportunity employer.
We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Andrea Thieme at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH8844.
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
Additional Information
This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.
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