Director of Behavioral Health

Butte County is seeking a mission-driven, strategic leader with the judgment and experience to guide a complex behavioral health system through ongoing change, combining a strong commitment to public service with the executive capacity to lead people, systems, and large-scale initiatives in a highly regulated environment.

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Please submit your resume and cover letter by applying at peckhamandmckenney.comFiling deadline for this recruitment is May 26, 2026


FLSA: EXCEMPT

DEFINITION
This position operates under the policy direction from the Board of Supervisors and administrative direction from the Chief Administrative Officer. The Director of Behavioral Health is an organizational leader capable of overseeing a complex and diverse department; combining good judgment and initiative providing a wide range of prevention, diagnostic, treatment, and community services for children, adolescents, and adults with mental health or substance abuse problems; and performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from the Chief Administrative Officer. Exercises direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is an at-will department director classification that oversees and directs all activities of the Department of Behavioral Health, including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the County Administrative Officer in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, County functions and activities, including the role of the Board of Supervisors, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering County goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; establishes, within County policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.

• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs assigned staff; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and Plan organize, direct, and evaluate the operation of behavioral health programs.
• Formulates County behavioral health objectives, policies, procedures, and guidelines based upon policy direction provided by the County Board of Supervisors, and federal and state laws and regulations.
• Act as a liaison between the County governing body, the department and other agencies.
• Act as the County’s liaison with federal, state, and local codes and regulations established for mental health and substance use disorder institutions and professionals.
• Direct and oversee a variety of programs and services, quality assurance programs of peer review and continuous staff education in current advances in mental health and substance use disorder practices, and community outreach and development.
• Provide leadership in mental health and substance use disorder education and referral services by planning and implementing programs that address the behavioral health needs of the community.
• Analyze, interpret, and evaluate the effect that federal, state and local legislation, rules or policies will have on behavioral health programs, and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
• Prepare department budget and control budgetary expenditures.
• Recommend staffing, service priorities, adequacy of facilities and services, and other matters affecting the behavioral health needs of persons in the community.

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of mental health administration and substance use disorder administration adhering to all relevant laws, ordinances and regulations.
• Public agency budget development, contract administration, and County-wide administrative practices related to the functions assigned.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to departmental objectives.
• Principles and practices of program management, including development, funding sources, grant proposal writing, planning, monitoring, evaluating, quality control, fiscal management, and administration.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the Department of Behavioral Health and the County.
• Determine the need and priority of behavioral health programs, recommend allocation of resources and participate in short- and long-range budget planning and preparation.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff; delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Work effectively under stress and in urgent situations.
• Comprehend complex contracting, organizational, financial and real property related problems and objectives and develop and execute appropriate plans to the benefit of the County.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective staff reports.
• Effectively represent the department and County in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances and County policies and procedures relevant to work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Pursuant to California regulations, Title 9, Rehabilitative and Developmental Services, Division 1, Chapter 3, Article 8, Professional and Technical Standards, when the Local Mental Health Director is someone other than the local health officer or the medical administrator of the county hospital, that individual shall be one of the following:

1. An administrator who possesses a master’s degree in hospital administration, public health administration, or public administration from an accredited college or university, and has at least three years of experience in hospital or health care administration, two of which shall have been in the mental health field. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis with the approval of the Department of Mental Health.

1. A physician and surgeon licensed in the State of California, with evidence of having completed the required course of graduate psychiatric education as defined in Section 623, supplemented by an additional period of two years of training or practice limited to the field of psychiatry, one year of which shall have been in administrative experience.

1. A psychologist who is licensed in the State of California and holds a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited institution of higher education. In addition, the psychologist shall have at least three years of acceptable clinical psychology experience, two years of which shall have been in administrative experience.

1. A clinical social worker who possesses a master’s degree in social work or higher and is a licensed clinical social worker under the provisions of the California Business and Professions Code. The individual shall have at least five years of mental health experience, two years of which shall have been in administrative experience.

1. A marriage, family, and child counselor who possesses a master’s degree in an approved behavioral science course of study, is a licensed marriage, family, and child counselor, and has received the specific instruction (or its equivalent) required for licensure as of January 1, 1981. In addition, the counselor shall have at least five years of mental health experience, two years of which shall have been in administrative experience. The term specific instruction, as used in Sections 5751 and 5751.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, is not limited to classroom instruction but may include equivalent demonstrated experience in assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of premarital, marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions.

1. A nurse who possesses a master’s degree in psychiatric or public health nursing, is licensed as a registered nurse by the Board of Registered Nursing in the State of California, and has at least five years of mental health experience, two of which shall have been in administrative experience. Additional post-baccalaureate experience in a mental health setting may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the educational requirements.

Additional Preferred Qualifications: Responsible administrative experience managing multi-divisional mental health and substance abuse programs and staff; and managerial experience in an organization employing about 400 individuals; and adept management organizational skills and abilities.

Certifications and Licenses:

• A position assigned to this class may require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects up to 30 pounds.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office and field environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Incumbent may be required to visit construction sites that require additional safety considerations.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes motor vehicle, personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment.

Disaster Service Worker
All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.