Deputy Division Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery (EMS3/DBHR)

Posting number: 2026-05446

Department: Health Care Authority

Division: BHR

Job classification: EXEMPT BAND 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Mental Health, Planning and Development, Executive Management, Diversity Management/EEO, Community and Social Services, Health Care Support, Program Management, Insurance

Summary

Deputy Division Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery (EMS3/DBHR)

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The Deputy Division Director will shape statewide strategy across diversion & re-entry, prevention, and prenatal-to-25 programming. This position directs policy implementation, oversees staff and contract teams, and manages multiple funding streams including Medicaid, state, and federal grants. It’s an ideal fit for a strategic leader passionate about expanding behavioral health access across diverse communities, including partnerships with Tribes and American Indian organizations statewide.

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 Deputy Director for DBHR reports directly to the DBHR Director and is responsible for developing and implementing strategic state and federally funded behavioral health treatment and recovery strategies and programs. This position provides high level policy analysis, direction, and supervises professional treatment and recovery staff. This position is responsible for interpreting and implementing broad division policies related to state and federal regulations (WAC, RCW, CFR) required to implement mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery programs. This position is responsible for ensuring behavioral health and recovery programs successfully navigate multiple funding sources to include Medicaid, State funding and federal grants, each with their own set of requirements. This includes directing the work of teams who oversee, plan, and develop contracts, as well as promoting and supporting the implementing and expanding behavioral health and recovery programs and coordination across multiple agency divisions, state agencies, 29 federally recognized Tribes, and six recognized American Indian organizations.

This position is eligible to telework but is occasionally required to report on-site to meet business need.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:

• Serve with delegated authority to act on behalf of the DBHR Director and assists the Director in on-going activities related to all behavioral health and recovery programs. 
• Serve as an active member of the DBHR executive leadership team.
• Assign and review the work of management and supervisory staff; act for the DBHR Director in all matters assigned. 
• Represent the DBHR Director at meetings with the Governor’s office, legislators, outside agencies, and other units of state government.
• Direct other key statewide planning efforts that may impact critical agency and division initiatives, projects and/or strategies; determine due dates, monitor for completion, and provide input regarding completed work.
• Provide technical and administrative oversight to special projects, including organizational process improvements, legislative support, and other critical projects and initiatives.
• Direct activities of staff and provide project management oversight and technical assistance on