Director of Behavioral Health Services

Director Of Behavioral Health Services

Northwest Human Services is a non-profit leader in providing advocacy, quality healthcare and social services in Marion and Polk counties since 1970. We are a mission focused organization providing compassionate and professional medical, dental, psychiatry, mental health, and wraparound services for those in our community who need it most - uninsured individuals, families, the homeless, and migrant workers. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony.

Northwest Human Services is seeking a clinically grounded and operationally strong Director of Behavioral Health Services to provide strategic leadership for our Mental Health and Crisis Hotline programs.

This role leads high-quality, trauma-informed behavioral health services across an integrated care environment while providing senior-level oversight of 24/7 crisis and 988 hotline operations. The Director partners closely with clinical, operational, and executive leadership to strengthen program performance, support staff development, ensure regulatory and contractual compliance, and advance safe, patient-centered care for the community.

This is an opportunity for a behavioral health leader who can balance clinical quality, people leadership, operational execution, and strategic planning in a mission-driven community health setting.

What You Will Lead

The Director of Behavioral Health Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the Mental Health and Hotline departments.

Within the Mental Health department, this role is responsible for advancing high-quality, patient-centered behavioral health services in an integrated Primary Care setting and Mental Health counseling services in an outpatient setting.

Within the Hotline department, the Director provides senior-level oversight of 24/7 crisis and 988 hotline operations, ensuring continuous coverage, high-quality clinical services, and compliance with accreditation, funding, and contractual requirements across all service modalities. This role leads the operational integrity of crisis response systems, protocols, partnerships, and reporting to ensure safe, effective, and trauma‑informed crisis services for the community.

The Director of Behavioral Health Services will oversee three key service areas:

• Integrated Behavioral Health within Primary Care
• Mental Health Counseling Services
• Crisis Hotline and 988 Services

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic and Operational Leadership
• People Leadership and Staff Development
• Clinical Quality, Compliance, and Risk

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate is a licensed behavioral health leader who brings strong clinical judgment, operational discipline, and a people-centered leadership style. This person should be comfortable leading through complexity, supporting multidisciplinary teams, using data to guide decisions, and building systems that improve care quality, staff experience, and community impact.

A successful candidate will bring experience in behavioral health leadership, integrated care, clinical supervision, compliance, performance improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a closely related field.
• Active, unrestricted Oregon licensure, such as LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or Psychologist.
• Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in behavioral health, including direct patient care.
• Minimum of 2 years of progressive leadership or supervisory experience in a healthcare or behavioral health setting.
• Experience supervising licensed clinicians and/or behavioral health consultants.
• Strong knowledge of integrated care models, including Primary Care Behavioral Health and/or Collaborative Care.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations impacting behavioral health services, including HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, Oregon Administrative Rules, and HRSA/FQHC expectations.
• Experience using clinical, operational, quality, and EHR data to support documentation standards, program improvement, and performance outcomes.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, conflict resolution, and prioritization skills in a complex healthcare environment.
• Commitment to trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and health equity.
• Valid Oregon Driver's License and proof of automobile insurance.
• Current BLS/CPR certification, if required by the organization.

• Experience in an FQHC, community health center, safety-net, or community-based healthcare setting.
• Experience leading integrated behavioral health programs, crisis services, 988/Lifeline operations, or behavioral health crisis response systems.
• Experience with grant-funded programs, contract compliance, regulatory reporting, budget oversight, staffing models, or resource planning.
• Familiarity with Oregon-specific behavioral health initiatives, payer requirements, value-based care models, or alternative payment methodologies.
• Experience with process improvement, staff training, coaching, professional development, public speaking, telehealth, or digital behavioral health tools.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to the communities served.

Please note: This posting is intended to provide a high-level overview of the role and is not the full, all-inclusive job description.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: Our Agency strives to provide a benefits program that is comprehensive and competitive within our industry.

• Healthcare insurance plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Group Life: Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 100% paid by employer
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% of employer contribution and up to 3% employer match
• Flex Spending Account
• PTO - 10 hours a month for FT positions 40 hrs./wk. up to 20 hours monthly as your tenure grows
• 7½ Paid Holidays a year + 2 paid floating holidays for full-time positions
• Continuing Education & Training Benefits
• Employee Healthy Living Program – Gym Membership & Smoking Cessation

Why Join NWHS?

At NWHS, your work matters! Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of underserved and resilient communities. Be part of a compassionate, forward-thinking team that values collaboration, inclusion, and innovation in delivering exceptional services and community support.

TO APPLY:

To join our team please visit our website Employment (northwesthumanservices.org)

For more information, contact the HR/Recruiting Department at: View email address on click.appcast.io | View phone number on click.appcast.io

All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to undergo a criminal records check.

Equal Opportunity Employer | We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.