Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Plan

About The Opportunity

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be an innovative and collaborative leader with a strong work ethic, possessing strategic awareness and a sense of vision, cooperative spirit, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to make good strong political and business decisions. A management style that is focused on developing staff and fostering team collaboration will be essential to the success of the Department. The Assistant Director will be engaging with a successful track record of creating and implementing creative and non-traditional approaches to challenges, while maintaining energy and enthusiasm within the department.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: July 13, 2026 at 5pm

Oral Examination: Week of July 27th

To learn more about Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, visit

THE POSITION

Under the direction of the Director, and Associate Director the Assistant Director of the Behavioral Health Plan provides strategic and operational leadership for the County’s integrated Behavioral Health Plan, which unifies the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System and the Mental Health Plan into a single delivery system. This is a unique opportunity to lead system transformation during a period of significant Medi-Cal reform, with the ability to shape integrated behavioral health services, expand access to care, and drive innovation across the continuum. The Assistant Director oversees the Manager IV/Chiefs of Divisions that provide support and leadership for core Behavioral Health Plan functions and the provision of behavioral health services.

This role requires demonstrated strong leadership, teambuilding, and the ability to foster creative, progressive, and data informed performance. The Assistant Director leads divisions that are focused on continuous improvement, strengthening service quality, and improving access to timely and effective treatment. The role also ensures that the organization takes full advantage of recent Medi-Cal reforms and behavioral health policy changes—initiatives designed to increase access, reduce barriers to care, enhance service integration, and elevate the quality of treatment across community systems of care.

The Assistant Director also provides leadership and management for the deployment of the Behavioral Health Plan’s operational budget approximately $105 million annual budget, ensuring fiscal stewardship, alignment with strategic priorities, and effective use of resources to strengthen outcomes for individuals and families.

Responsibilities include system and program development, as well as high-level supervision and guidance of System of Care Chiefs, managers, and multidisciplinary teams responsible for delivering coordinated, accountable, and person-centered behavioral health services, and oversight of services across the continuum. This incumbent will also hold delegated responsibility and represent the department as the Alcohol and Drug Administrator as well the BH Plan Administrator.

As a member of the Department’s Executive and Senior Leadership Team, the Assistant Director is expected to cultivate strong working relationships with peers, collaborate to advance departmental goals of community integration and excellent customer service, and champion the values of innovation, quality, and accountability in behavioral health service delivery in this highly collaborative role. This is a highly visible executive leadership role with significant influence over policy, system design, and service delivery across the County’s behavioral health continuum.

Questions? We're Here to Help!

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, the recruitment process, or need assistance with your application, please contact the Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Recruitment Team at View phone number on workus.org or ***email_hidden***.

Typical Tasks

• Actively participate on the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Executive Team, contributing to strategic planning, budgeting, implementation of department-wide initiatives, system of care development, and compliance with regulatory mandates;
• Directly supervise System of Care, and Divisional Chiefs and managers in the day-to-day operations of assigned divisions, including program budgeting, staffing, and performance monitoring;
• Assist in establishing departmental goals and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies;
• Assist with staff recruitment, performance evaluations, employee development, and disciplinary recommendations in coordination with Human Resources;
• Represent the department at Board of Supervisors meetings and participate in agenda development and presentations;
• Represent the department with Federal, State, and local agencies on funding, licensing, and programmatic matters;
• Participate in stakeholder engagement efforts, including interagency committees and the local Behavioral Health Advisory Board;
• Collaborate with County departments and external partners to resolve shared issues and support program development;
• Oversee quality improvement initiatives, customer satisfaction efforts, and implementation of clinical programs;
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of behavioral health services, including prevention, early intervention, supportive services, training, and treatment;
• Develop, negotiate, and oversee grants and contracts;
• Analyze and respond to legislation, interpreting its impact, and adjusting programs to meet new requirements;
• Collaborate with State regulatory staff to implement and ensure compliance, including participation in audits and inspections, to verify adherence to applicable standards; Analyze clinical and administrative operational challenges, develop and implement effective solutions;
• Motivate, coach, and support staff in achieving departmental goals; Lead efforts to address system and program level crisis and emergencies, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment;
• Prepare and deliver clear and professional presentations to diverse audiences; Prepare specialized reports, including Board agenda items and responses to public or stakeholder inquiries;
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of the department’s annual budget and quarterly updates;
• Develop policies and procedures in accordance with applicable regulations;
• Uphold and actively promote the vision, mission, and values of the department and the County; and perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

• Behavioral Health or health Treatment Systems
• Building Effective Teams
• Communication
• Conflict Management
• Contract Development
• Customer Orientation
• Effective Decision Making
• Performance Development and Coaching
• Ethics and Integrity
• Financial Resource and Budget Management
• Managing Vision and Purpose
• Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal Managed Care, or Healthcare Compliance
• Legislative and Regulatory Laws
• Strategic Management & Planning

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.

Education/Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, Public Health, Business or Public Administration or a related field; AND
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible management experience directing operations, staff, budgets, and organizational initiatives within a large public or private organization. Two (2) of the four (4) years of experience must be at the senior management level comparable to a Manager IV in Stanislaus County

Progressively responsible management experience in a related behavioral health field may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Proof of education will be required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call View phone number on workus.org to make other arrangements. Failure to submit proof will result in disqualification.

Application and Selection Procedures

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/ FINAL FILING DATE

Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those? who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification.? Eligible lists are effective for six months but may be extended up to eighteen months.

GENERAL INFORMATION

CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Unclassified Service of the County and considered “at will” for labor relations purposes. The individual selected will participate in the Stanislaus County Pay-for-Performance program, as well as receive additional benefits.

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at the "Disability" tab.

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations are required to complete and submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form prior to the test administration date. Special arrangements for religious convictions should be included in the "Additional Information" section of the application form.

General Qualifications

• Pass County-paid pre-employment job-related background investigation.
• Perform job duties in a manner assuring a safe working environment for oneself and others.
• Maintain confidential information according to the legal standards and/or County regulations as required.
• Some positions may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and meet County insurability requirements.

APPLICATION AND/OR EXAMINATION APPEAL RIGHTS

Application and/or examination results may be appealed by applicants presenting facts alleging irregularity, fraud and/or error in application screening or in exam scoring. Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Chief Executive Officer within seven (7) days after the examination results are emailed.

DISCLAIMER

Stanislaus County reserves the right to revise the examination plan described in this flyer to better meet the needs of County service. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The information contained in the bulletin is information which sets forth a general summary of benefits for this respective position. This information is not legally binding. The benefits and other information regarding this position may be found in the Stanislaus County Code, the Stanislaus County Personnel Policies manual, or in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s), and such information prevails over information contained in this flyer. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office/Human Relations.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary.