Involuntary Treatment Act Unit Supervisor (WMS2/DBHR)

Posting number: 2026-06671

Department: Health Care Authority

Division: BHR

Job classification: WMS BAND 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Mental Health, Public Health, Management, Program Management

Summary

Involuntary Treatment Act Unit Supervisor (WMS2/DBHR)

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This supervisor oversees a unit that includes Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) program managers and Mental Health Firearms Background Check analysts. The ITA supervisor uses their deep knowledge of behavioral health systems and RCW and WAC to perform complex bill analysis, inform policy, identify challenges and issues, support complex technical assistance, and work with statewide partners to progress their team’s work. This position does a significant amount of communicating and collaborating with a variety of audiences and triaging issues that arise.   If you are adept and excited about navigating complex problems and communicating possible solutions, 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 Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) provides support for substance use treatment, mental health services, and problem gambling services through prevention, treatment, peer, and recovery support. Programs promote strategies that support healthy lifestyles by preventing the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, supporting recovery from substance use, promoting recovery and resiliency, reducing stigma, and mitigating the effects of problem gambling on the individual and family. DBHR brings operational elements such as substance use and mental health into closer working relations to serve individuals more effectively and efficiently.

About the position:

The Involuntary Treatment Act Supervisor is responsible for overseeing system-wide development and implementation of division, agency, and Legislative initiatives for enhancement and management of the statewide involuntary treatment system. This position manages a team of behavioral health professionals responsible for ensuring the involuntary treatment system operates successfully and in accordance with RCW 71.05. Additionally, this position supervises the mental health firearms background check unit, who ensure individuals who are prohibited from legally purchasing a firearm due to mental health history are unable to do so. These programs and initiatives contribute to the Health Care Authority’s mission to provide high quality health care through innovative health policies and purchasing strategies.

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. All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location. 

Examples of duties

Some of what you will do:

• Provide direct supervision to Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) team members, reviewing status of current projects, initiatives, and reports. 
• Determine and approve strategies for involuntary treatment and policy, coordinating with crisis systems for continuity, and program implementation and development.  
• Review involuntary treatment program policy enhancements.
• Direct and oversee the development and implementation of statewide ITA policies, practices, regulations, and procedures.
• Communicate with BH-ASOs, DCR provider organizations, and Designated Crisis Responder Association regarding ITA policy changes, statutory changes, and implementation of new systems.
• Serve as a content expert for development of state laws regarding ITA-related court decisions to include Single Bed Certifications, No Bed Available Bed Reporting, and psychiatric boarding.
• Make strategic decisions regarding psychiatric inpatient policy.
• Provide expert recommendations regarding statewide resource allocation for psychiatric inpatient and evaluation and treatment bed capacity to leadership.
• Direct, oversee, and monitor development and implementation of policies and programs related to the Unavailable Detention Facilities Report (No Available Bed Report), Single Bed Certifications, and other ITA-related procedures and data sourc