Involuntary Commitment Coordinator

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans and those with lived experience. The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, self-reliant, and connected to community. The Involuntary Commitment Coordinator is responsible for managing all aspects of King County’s Involuntary Commitment program within the Behavioral Health & Recovery Division (BHRD). BHRD’s overall mission is to provide accessible, quality behavioral health services to low income residents throughout King County, including crisis intervention services. This position requires highly specialized knowledge of Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 71.05, 71.34, related Washington Administrative Codes (WAC), Washington State Designated Crisis Responder Protocols, and the legal process of commitment. The role will provide leadership and strategic direction to help achieve BHRD’s long-term strategic goals. The position will report to the Chief of Strategy and Operations/Interim Deputy Director and play a critical role in building a comprehensive crisis response system across King County and integrating behavioral and physical health countywide. The employee will work with BHRD executive leadership to implement a strategic vision that reduces psychiatric hospitalizations and increases less restrictive community alternatives, oversees the Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) budget and funds, and ensures collaboration across the King County Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (BH-ASO), Integrated Care Network (KCICN), other behavioral health providers, community hospitals, criminal justice jail systems, and relevant stakeholders. The position includes direct supervision of the Crisis and Commitment Services (CCS) Supervisor staff and oversight of Designated Crisis Responder staff. The incumbent will align work with King County’s Equity and Social Justice strategic plan and will prepare high-level briefing material and reports for internal and external use, including briefing senior county officials and elected officials such as King County Council and the state legislature. The position may also represent the Division and the County at meetings, functions, and in the media. Responsibilities Serve as formal Involuntary Commitment Coordinator according to Washington State law, rules and regulations and the needs of the local community. Plan, develop and coordinate all aspects of the CCS Involuntary Commitment program. Develop and implement office practice standards and ensure they are followed. Develop annual work plan for office which provides services 24/7, 365 days a year. Monitor and direct staffing levels to ensure adequate coverage of services for all hours of operations and schedule extra help when needed. Develop and implement hiring practices, supervise and evaluate staff and negotiate union contracts in coordination with HR. Coordinate program budget with DCHS fiscal staff, projecting caseloads, staffing and program needs. Assures that the Electronic Health Record tool is up to date with documentation needs. Develop supportive data and statistics and advocate for needs of individuals receiving CCS services. Review, analyze, comment on and recommend changes to proposed statutory amendments, state rules and regulations or County proposals that affect and/or impact program operations and service delivery to persons with behavioral health disorders/treatment needs. clearly and effectively communicate complex ideas with a wide array of partners, stakeholders, and broader communities. Represent the division and department at meetings, committees, task forces, workgroups, and to the public, providing information and advice regarding Crisis & Commitment Services and BHRD’s ITA goals and objectives. Oversee and assure compliance of aggregated information on quality, timeliness, and access to CCS ITA Commitment Services to all King County residents. Provide leadership for, and contribute to the development of, CCS policies and strategies to deliver efficient and effective CCS ITA Commitment Services to the community. Identify opportunities for partnership that increase the coordination of CCS ITA Commitment Services in an integrated manner that supports a recovery-oriented system of care. Lead and coordinate KC CCS ITA Commitment Services integration efforts with BH providers, hospitals, jails, MCOs, ASOs, HCAs and other stakeholders. Serve on BHRD Plan Management Group and Quality Improvement Committee. Align existing and new work of the division with the County's Equity and Social Justice Plan. Supervision of staff, including employee development, performance management, employee engagement activities and facilitation of section staff meetings if assigned. Provide direct services. Perform other related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Services, Public Health or Public Administration. Mental Health Professional as defined in WAC 246-341-0200 and RCW 71.05.020. Highly specialized knowledge of RCW 71.05, 71.34 and related WACs and the legal process of commitment. Experience in testifying as an expert witness. Experience in crisis de-escalation and defusing hostile /violent behavior. Knowledge of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychological Association (DSM V) and how to apply to a determination of incapacity and involuntary commitment. Knowledge of King County behavioral health network and programs/resources offering alternatives to involuntary commitment. Knowledge of and experience in providing behavioral health services. At least five years recent experience in management in behavioral health and/or equivalent education or supervision and management skills and practice. Knowledge of principles of equity and social justice and demonstrated ability to work with individuals and/or groups from diverse backgrounds. Strong interpersonal skills including collaboration, team player and good listening skills. Advanced knowledge of other complex systems and issues such as physical and behavioral health, integrated healthcare, homelessness, criminal justice diversion and re-entry, education and employment. Understanding of specific issues related to high-risk, high-need populations and high utilizer groups. Demonstrated ability to manage projects using current project management principles, methodologies and processes. Experience developing, implementing and monitoring to measurable outcomes. Skill in organizing, planning, and executing large-scale, complex multi-phase projects requiring multiple organization integration from vision to implementation; skill in preparing detailed and appropriate project documentation. Advanced skill in effectively communicating orally and in writing including making formal presentations to groups and committees; influencing decision makers in a political environment; and working with the media. Skill in gathering, analyzing and synthesizing data; writing papers and reports including ability to present statistical and narrative information to non-technical stakeholders. Skill in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision making; handling multiple competing priorities. Valid Washington State Driver’s License and/or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner. Desired Qualifications Experience as a Washington State Designated Crisis Responder or Supervisor of Designated Crisis Responders. Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) as defined by WAC 246-811-010 and RCW 18.205. Knowledge of King County’s Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization service delivery and contract requirements. Knowledge of King County's recovery-oriented system of care, Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Sales Tax, Veteran and Human Service Levy and Best Starts for Kids program and other King County initiatives. In recovery or have lived experiences in behavioral health. Additional Position Information This position has been designated Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees regardless of designation are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. This position requires in person work and the primary onsite location is Chinook, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. This position is not represented by a union. Classification: Involuntary Commitment Coordinator Who May Apply This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews will take place the week of July 20, 2026. Applicants must submit an online King County application and respond to the supplemental questions. Applications with incomplete information will not be considered competitive. If you have any question, please contact Alicia Larsen at View email address on click.appcast.io. Equal Employment Opportunity King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. #J-18808-Ljbffr King-County,-W