Behavioral Health Program Manager

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

The Behavioral Health Program Manager directs the daily administration and coordination of Unified Fire Authority's Behavioral Health and Wellness Program. The position serves as a primary resource for employees, retirees, and eligible family members seeking assistance; facilitates access to peer support, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), insurance-based treatment, contracted behavioral health clinicians, and community resources; and provides nonclinical case coordination and follow-up. The position leads the administrative and operational functions of the Peer Support Program, provides knowledgeable guidance to peer support team members within the incumbent's qualifications, and coordinates and, when appropriately trained and qualified, facilitates Behavioral Health After-Action Reviews (BHAARs) and initial critical incident support. The position manages program operations, budgets, contracts, utilization, reporting, and continuous improvement. Routine counseling, psychotherapy, diagnosis, and ongoing clinical treatment are not functions of this position.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general direction of the Health and Safety Battalion Chief, exercising independent judgment within established UFA policies and delegated authority. Clinical consultation is obtained from appropriately licensed professionals when needed.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Provides operational coordination and program direction to Peer Support Team members; formal personnel supervisory authority, if any, will be established by UFA.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following duties and responsibilities:

• Manages daily operations of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program and implements approved policies, procedures, service pathways, and administrative processes.
• Receives requests from employees, retirees, family members, and other individuals seeking assistance; explains available resources and coordinates timely referrals to peer support, EAP, insurance-based providers, contracted clinicians, or community services.
• Coordinates nonclinical intake, program eligibility verification, service authorizations, scheduling, resource navigation, and appropriate follow-up; refers clinical assessment and treatment decisions to qualified providers.
• Oversees administrative operations of the Peer Support Program, including team coordination, recruitment support, onboarding, training schedules, records, and program evaluation.
• Serves as a knowledgeable consultation resource to Peer Support team members on program protocols, boundaries, referral pathways, and recognition of concerns requiring clinical or emergency escalation; obtains licensed clinical consultation when appropriate.
• Coordinates with Operations Battalion Chiefs in responding to significant or potentially traumatic incidents, including peer support mobilization, BHAAR scheduling, logistical support, and follow-up resources; facilitates BHAARs only within documented training and qualifications.
• Develops and coordinates behavioral health education and outreach initiatives to increase awareness of available resources, reduce barriers to accessing services, and promote early intervention and employee wellness.
• Serves as a member of the department's Health & Wellness committee.
• Maintains relationships with EAP, health plan resources, contracted behavioral health clinicians, and other partners; identifies service gaps and coordinates access to specialized care.
• Manages provider administrative agreements, service authorizations, invoicing, utilization limits, and vendor coordination in accordance with UFA policy.
• Maintains confidential administrative records and secure referral/utilization tracking; limits collection and disclosure of clinical information to what is authorized and necessary.
• Prepares aggregate program reports and evaluates referral patterns, access barriers, utilization, costs, and opportunities for improvement without disclosing identifiable treatment information.
• Assists the Health and Safety Battalion Chief with budget planning, expenditure tracking, purchasing, invoice reconciliation, and financial reporting.
• Identifies grant opportunities, coordinates applications, and administers grant reporting and compliance.
• Coordinates training, outreach, employee education, meetings, correspondence, travel, and related administrative functions.
• Participates in development and periodic review of peer support, BHAAR, referral, confidentiality, and crisis escalation procedures with leadership, legal counsel, and qualified clinical advisors.
• Serves as the Mental Health Resources Liaison (MHRL) in accordance with Utah code.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

TYPICAL DECISIONS:

• Prioritizes program activities, referral logistics, provider coordination, and operational follow-up within established policy.
• Determines when matters must be elevated to the Health and Safety Battalion Chief, emergency services, or an appropriately licensed behavioral health clinician.
• Recommends process, budget, training, and resource improvements; does not independently diagnose, prescribe treatment, or make clinical fitness-for-duty determinations.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, behavioral health, human services, healthcare administration, public administration, or a closely related field; equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Three years of relevant experience in behavioral health program operations, care coordination, crisis support, peer support administration, or closely related work, including demonstrated program coordination responsibilities.
• Valid driver's license.
• Completion of UFA-approved peer support and critical incident response training within a timeframe established by UFA.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related behavioral-health field.
• Utah social-work or behavioral-health credential.
• Experience with firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, military, veterans, or other public-safety populations.
• Experience with crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, substance-use resources, and behavioral-health resource navigation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of first responder behavioral health, peer support principles, crisis escalation, referral resources, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
• Ability to communicate compassionately and professionally with people in distress while remaining within a non-treatment role.
• Ability to organize multiple priorities, maintain secure records, analyze utilization and budget data, administer contracts, and prepare reports.
• Proficiency with office productivity software, scheduling systems, and secure program recordkeeping; ability to learn new technology.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with UFA leadership, peer supporters, clinicians, EAP, insurers, and community partners.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a general office environment during routine office hours, Monday through Friday. However, occasional evening, weekend, and on-scene or station response may be required for significant incidents, peer support activities, training, or BHAAR coordination. Availability and response expectations will be defined by UFA.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Work includes prolonged computer use, verbal and written communication, review of sensitive information, occasional driving, and occasional lifting of up to ten (10) pounds. The position requires sound judgment and the ability to respond professionally to emotionally difficult situations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform essential functions.

This position is classified as Category A under UFA Policy 100-240 UFA Cell Phone Policy.

This position is classified as Category B under UFA Policy 1100-020 Staff Vehicle Assignment, Use and Reimbursement

Classified as non-exempt and eligible for overtime.