Deputy Director for Grant Programs and System Innovation

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Chief Deputy of Administration and Performance Management (CEA C), the Deputy Director of Grant Programs and System Innovation provides executive-level leadership for managers and staff to advance the mission of the Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH) in accordance with Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) requirements. This involves overseeing managers and staff responsible for the development, implementation, administration, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the Commission’s innovative behavioral health (i.e., mental health and/or substance use disorder) grants, contracts, and solicitations, supported by approximately $300 million in BHSA funding and more than

150 grants and contracts. Specifically, this position is responsible for the full lifecycle of Commission-funded initiatives, including concept and solicitation development, procurement, contract and grant execution, implementation support, technical assistance, monitoring of performance and deliverables, compliance oversight, risk mitigation, corrective action, and continuous quality improvement. Working in partnership with Commissioners, community stakeholders, individuals with lived experience, family members, caregivers, public agency partners, and other subject matter experts, the Deputy Director leads efforts to identify priority needs and shape project concepts that advance the Commission’s strategic plan, statutory responsibilities, and system improvement goals.

The Deputy Director oversees the translation of project concepts into Requests for Applications (RFAs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and other solicitation mechanisms, and ensures that procurement and award processes are fair, transparent, competitive, and aligned with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The position is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong internal controls to protect procurement integrity, program integrity, and public trust, including appropriate conflict of interest awareness, prevention, and mitigation practices related to grants, contracts, and solicitations. This work requires intentional engagement with racially, culturally, linguistically, geographically, and otherwise diverse communities, including communities historically underserved, underrepresented, or disproportionately impacted by behavioral health inequities. The Deputy Director is expected to lead with a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, cultural humility, and racial equity, and to foster an inclusive and culturally responsive work environment that values diverse perspectives, lived experience, and professional backgrounds.

The Deputy Director advises the Executive Director, the Commission, and the Administration on highly sensitive, politically salient, and complex matters related to BHSA grants, contracts, solicitations, funding priorities, and implementation. This position coordinates closely with other CBH divisions, including the Research and Evaluation Division to support assessment of program outcomes and use of findings to inform program and policy development; Legislative and External Affairs to support legislative activities and communication regarding program accomplishments; and the Administrative and Performance Management Division to ensure procurement integrity, administrative compliance, fiscal integrity, and operational accountability

This position may require occasional travel and work during evenings and/or weekends.

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit M01, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and will receive 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes

BHSOAC Disclosure Requirements

The selected candidate may be subject to rules imposed by a Conflict-of-Interest Code that apply to BHSOAC employees, which may require filling a Statement of Economic Interest (FORM 700)

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and serves as the examination for this CEA recruitment and must be included with your application. Evaluation of each candidate will be based on the content of the answers and written communication skills demonstrated in the SOQ. The SOQ will be the only basis for your final score and rank on the eligible list. Resumes/cover letters do not take the place of the SOQ. Candidates who fail to follow these requirements or who do not provide responses to the specific SOQ questions outlined below may be disqualified from the examination and selection process.

The Commission values authentic responses. Applicants are strongly discouraged from using Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to draft their responses to the Statement of Qualifications. Proposals heavily reliant on AI-generated content often lack the necessary specificity, context, and concrete detail required for a competitive application. Content characterized by repetitive, generic buzzwords or vague, high-level language may result in a lower score during the evaluation process or may be disqualified from consideration if the application fails to adequately address the specific requirements of the Statement of Qualifications.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competatively evaluating each candidate:

1. Experience presenting information and responding to inquiries from the Legislature, Executive Branch, and the media.

2. Experience in complying with legislative mandates including developing and reviewing complex regulations that impact a program where there is a considerable amount of public interest.

3. Experience working in the health, mental health, substance use, public health, or a related field.

4. Experience working on complex projects and/or programs that involve partnering with multiple entities with diverse – and often divergent interests - such as federal, state or local governments, community-based organizations, public or private agencies, and advocacy groups.

5. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

6. Knowledge of Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act and its processes.

7. Ability to interact in a positive and professional manner and to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the Commissioners, all levels of government including the Legislature, co-workers, advocacy groups, and the public.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications is required and will serve as the examination for this recruitment. Please refer to the Statement of Qualifications section below for detailed instructions.