DSHS BHHA Director of Government & Community Affairs

Posting number: 2026-05828

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: BHHA

Job classification: WMS BAND 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Public Relations, Management, Miscellaneous, Human Services, Community Development, Customer Service, Insurance, Audit

Summary

The DSHS Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as our Director of Government & Community Affairs. This executive leadership position serves as the administration’s principal advisor on legislative affairs and government relations, leading BHHA’s legislative strategy while building and maintaining strong partnerships with the Governor’s Office, Washington State Legislature, Tribal governments, state agencies, providers, advocates, and community partners.

The  Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) cares for people receiving behavioral health services in state-operated facilities throughout Washington. These facilities provide round-the-clock care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our facilities include inpatient behavioral health care for adults in psychiatric hospitals, behavioral health and treatment centers, and centers for civilly committed sex offenders. We also operate a psychiatric hospital for youth with behavioral health needs. Additionally, the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) manages the state’s adult forensic mental health care programs, providing competency evaluation and restoration services. The Director of Government & Community Affairs plays a vital role in advancing the administration’s mission by shaping legislative priorities, coordinating Administration Request Legislation (ARL), supporting budget development, and ensuring effective communication and collaboration with policymakers throughout the legislative process.

If you are a strategic thinker who thrives on building relationships, navigating complex policy environments, leading high-performing teams, and advancing public policy that improves outcomes for those who interact with the state’s behavioral health system, we invite you to apply.

The Opportunity:

Reporting to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, the Director of Government & Community Affairs provides executive leadership for the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) Office of Government Affairs and serves as the administration’s liaison with the Governor’s Policy Office, members of the Legislature, legislative and committee staff, tribal governments, and key external partners.

The director leads the development, coordination, and execution of the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration's (BHHA) legislative agenda and Agency Request Legislation while partnering closely with executive leaders, including the Budget & Finance Director, to advance budget priorities, decision packages, and fiscal policy initiatives. This position ensures the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) is strategically positioned throughout the legislative process, from policy development and advocacy through implementation and evaluation.

As a member of the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) executive leadership team, the director contributes to administration-wide strategic planning, executive decision-making, and organizational priorities. The director provides leadership and direction to the Government & Community Affairs team, including a legislative analyst and tribal affairs administrator, while representing the administration with legislative committees, stakeholder organizations, community partners, and executive leaders.

Some of what you will do:

• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop legislative analyst and tribal affairs administrator.
• Lead and execute the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) comprehensive legislative strategy and engagement efforts supporting the administration’s mission across behavioral health programs and services.
• Develop, coordinate, and manage the administration's legislative agenda and Agency Request Legislation, ensuring alignment with adult and youth behavioral health treatment and system priorities.
• Advise the Assistant Secretary and Executive Leadership Team on legislative priorities, emerging policy issues, and strategic opportunities impacting the behavioral health system, and the communities