DSHS WSH Behavioral Health Specialist 3
State of Washington
FreshPosted Mar 17
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Posted: March 17, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Director of Behavioral Health - 0419 - HQ
State of Washington
Dept. of Corrections
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$138,941 - $168,433
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Healthcare & Medical jobs →Closes
April 1, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves leading the mental health services for Washington's prison system, ensuring inmates get proper psychological care that meets legal and professional standards.
The director designs treatment programs, guides staff, and works with other health leaders to create an integrated care model.
It's ideal for an experienced psychologist with strong leadership skills who understands correctional healthcare and can handle both clinical decisions and administrative tasks.
Key Requirements
- Licensed psychologist with expertise in correctional behavioral health
- Ability to design and implement a statewide model of care, including Patient Centered Medical Home integration
- Experience developing and updating mental health policies and protocols
- Skills in providing clinical guidance to regional and facility-level mental health staff
- Proficiency in strategic planning, operational decision-making, and stakeholder collaboration
- Knowledge of relevant laws, community standards, and specialized services like gender affirming care and traumatic brain injury treatment
- Leadership in committees, such as Care Review Committees, and external representations like legislative hearings
Full Job Description
Director of Behavioral Health
WA State Department of Corrections
Tumwater, WA.
Annual salary: $138,941 to 168,433
The Director of Behavioral Health is the highest-level Psychologist in the Department of Corrections (DOC) and is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, clinically appropriate, and timely mental health treatment services to the entire DOC population.
This position designs and implements the behavioral health service delivery model consistent with the DOC Health Plan and all applicable policies.
As the agency expert in correctional behavioral health care, the incumbent ensures services comply with relevant laws and meet or exceed community standards of care.
DOC is an industry leader in specialized health services, including gender affirming care and traumatic brain injury services, supporting individuals with both acute and chronic behavioral health needs.
This position collaborates closely with other Health Services leaders to design and implement an integrated model of care, such as a Patient Centered Medical Home model.
The incumbent serves as the agency leader for the design and delivery of a comprehensive behavioral health system.
This includes both strategic and operational decision-making to ensure effective management of services for individuals with behavioral health needs.
The Director ensures that behavioral health staff provide services in accordance with agency policy and the DOC Health Plan and designates a Mental Health Lead for each facility.
The incumbent provides clinical and administrative guidance to Regional Chief Psychologists, the facility Mental Health Leads, and frontline Mental Health staff to support effective management of services at each facility.
They are a partner to the Chief of Psychiatry. Decisions regarding hiring, contracting, and evaluation of these clinical leaders are shared with the respective appointing authorities.
Application assessment will be ongoing, and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.
"This recruitment could be used to fill multiple permanent or non-permanent positions."
Requirements
Vision, Design, and Implementation of a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Program
- In collaboration with behavioral health leadership and other key leaders, design and refine the model of care for individuals receiving behavioral health services within DOC. This model includes integration with other Health Services disciplines under a Patient Centered Medical Home framework.
- Develop and implement a statewide plan for operationalizing the model of care through facility behavioral health leaders.
- Make final clinical treatment decisions when necessary.
- Chair Care Review Committees to determine levels of care and treatment recommendations.
- Serve as the DOC subject matter expert in behavioral health system design internally and externally, including legislative hearings, litigation, and committee presentations.
- Build and maintain a network of support and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
Policy and Protocol Management
- Develop, write, and update all mental health–related policies and protocols, including: 630.500 Mental Health Services, 630.550 Suicide Prevention and Response, 630.540 Involuntary Medication Administration, and 320.265 Close Observation Areas.
- Provide subject matter expertise for related policies, including 610.040 Health Screenings and Assessments and 610.010 Patient Consent for Health Care, and other behavioral health–related policies.
- Ensure agency behavioral health policies align with relevant case law and professional and ethical standards.
Policies will ensure:
- Appropriate screening to identify individuals with behavioral health needs and suicide risk.
- Timely assessments and individualized treatment plans consistent with agency policy.
- Evidence-based scope and modalities of care aligned with national standards and supported by clinical supervision and continuous quality improvement.
- Develop and approve behavioral health training curriculum for agency staff.
- Ensure staff across the system receive appropriate training and support to deliver effective behavioral health services.
- Monitor program data to ensure services and resources are used efficiently and effectively.
Clinical Oversight of Behavioral Health Services
- Oversee quality assurance practices across all facilities.
- Ensure clinical oversight of all behavioral health staff.
- Report clinical events and practice concerns to the Department of Health when appropriate.
- Ensure all behavioral health providers are appropriately credentialed.
- Determine clinical privileges for behavioral health providers.
Qualifications
Required Experience, and Competencies:
- Initial and ongoing unencumbered licensure as a Psychologist in the State of Washington.
- Minimum five years of progressive experience as a licensed Psychologist, including demonstrated leadership and management of behavioral health programs and professionals, preferably in correctional or forensic settings.
- Strong interpersonal skills, operational management experience, and strategic planning expertise.
- Demonstrated program and system design capability.
- Knowledge of service delivery systems aligned with external regulatory standards.
- Knowledge of applicable RCWs, WACs, collective bargaining agreements, and DOC policy related to the treatment and management of individuals with behavioral health conditions in correctional and community settings.
Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
- PhD/PsyD Degree in Psychology or related field from a university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Demonstrated progressive supervisory experience with leadership of Behavioral Health providers.
- 2 years of experience within Washington Department of Corrections in leadership positions sufficient to understand Agency goals, metrics, performance, procedures, relationships, and process flows.
- 3 years of experience with corrections and/or forensic population or staff care.
- Experience with personnel management systems.
- Experience with budget execution and knowledge of methods to maintain responsible fiscal management.
- Experience with union negotiations and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Experience with legislative stakeholders and external community stakeholders relevant to corrections leadership.
- Competence with crucial conversations, demonstrating emotional intelligence, and creating a psychologically safe and productive team.
Additional Information
Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.
Our Vision: Working together for safer communities.
Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.
Our Core Values:
- Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
- People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
- Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
- Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.
Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety.
We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application.
A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.
If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.
**Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
- A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
- Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
- Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
- Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
- This position may be represented by a bargaining unit.
We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws.
A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire.
When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
- Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.
- Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds. Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds.
- Candidates who are offered a job with the Department of Corrections must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
- DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application.
You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9.
The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form.
https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies:
Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace.
- Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
- Promote inclusiveness.
- Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
- Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.
What We Offer:
As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority.
Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.
Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:
- Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
- 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
- 12 paid holidays a year
- Generous retirement plan
- Flex Spending Accounts
- Dependent Care Assistance
- Deferred Compensation and so much more!
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.
For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email kathey.waggoner@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-907-7808 For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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