Summary
The Department of Community and Human Services 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 experiences.
At King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), we believe in working as one team that solves problems—striving to be customer-focused and drive for the best results. We envision a welcoming community that is racially just because the field of human services exists to undo and mitigate unfair structures. We seek to lead the way by working as respectful and responsible stewards for our community.
DCHS seeks a proven leader and content expert in mental health and substance use conditions and treatments, including crisis services to serve as the Assistant Deputy Division Director for the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD).
BHRD is one of five divisions within DCHS and its overall mission is to provide accessible, quality behavioral health services to low-income residents throughout King County. The Chief of Strategy and Operations (Strategic Planning Manager II) will provide leadership and strategic planning across a portfolio of clinical services, including the recently passed $1.2 billion Crisis Care Centers Levy, supervise several key division staff and initiatives, and provide oversight and management to internal operations of the division. The Chief of Strategy and Operations reports directly to the Director of the Division and is part of the Executive Leadership Team, working to develop and achieve strategic objectives related to behavioral health, including crisis services, in King County. The Chief of Strategy and Operations will be a visionary leader who leads with an Equity Race and Social Justice lens in all that they do. It will be a highly visible position with responsibility to ensure King County’s crisis services function to meet the needs of King County.
King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community.
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Candidates who wish to be considered for the position must submit a complete King County application online and respond to the supplemental questions. Interviews will occur on or around October 9 - 18, 2024.
WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday 8am-5pm. This position is not represented by a union.
MISSION CRITICAL POSITION STATUS: 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.
TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT: The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
RECRUITER: Susan.Churchill@kingcounty.gov
Job Duties
- Provide leadership and oversight to implement King County’s $1.2 billion Crisis Care Centers (CCC) Levy
- Direct and ensure strategy and coordination of all CCC Levy investments/initiatives across the division, including leading the CCC team that develops and oversees plans, timelines and performance measurement.
- Partner and develop financial strategies with the CCC leadership and Finance team to oversee corresponding financial and performance analysis to drive review and proactive decision making.
- Develop and prepare materials for and participate in briefings for various audiences, including the media, to represent the County’s goals and work related to crisis services.
- Provide leadership and oversight for a portfolio of crisis services in BHRD including the Behavioral Health – Administrative Services Organization (BH-ASO); Crisis & Commitment Services (including Designated Crisis Responders); the Crisis Care Centers Levy; and behavioral health outreach services.
- Set strategic direction and coordinate with relevant subject matter experts to ensure BHRD’s crisis services are coordinated to build a system that provides equitable access and meets the needs of our communities.
- Supervise designated program areas, which will require direct supervision of 4 to 5 high level program managers to ensure quality and timely implementation of contracts and associated deliverables.
- Work closely with the department's central services, such as finance, performance measurement and evaluation, and contracting and procurement.
- Design and monitor compliance and quality assurance protocols to ensure that the programs satisfy statutory and regulatory requirements while supporting County strategic priorities around Best Run Government and Equity, Racial and Social Justice (ERSJ).
- Build effective, collaborative teams and participate in developing a culture of equity, inclusion, and belonging across the division.
- Manage and support aspects of BHRD internal operations
- Collaborate with other department staff to ensure alignment of internal systems with Department and County-level strategies, direction and guidance.
- Represent the Division and Department at high level meetings, committees, task forces, work groups and with the public.
- Lead development of policies and strategies to deliver efficient and effective services to the community.
- Utilize skills in negotiation, problem-solving and conflict resolution, customer service and interpersonal relationships to handle multiple competing priorities and sensitive situations.
- Participate as a member of the division's executive leadership team in the review, development and implementation of policies, procedures and key decisions.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
This position requires a system thinking approach and involves a strong understanding of the overall behavioral health care delivery system. It will provide leadership, governance, effective utilization of known subject matter experts, and strategic direction to help achieve long-term strategic goals of the County.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Leadership experience as demonstrated by at least 7 cumulative years of professional experience as a director, assistant director or equivalent senior leader of a nonprofit, government, community organization or institute/center that includes experience in managing, interacting, recruiting, and promoting accountability with and within diverse teams.
- A well-developed understanding of ERSJ principles and experience leading teams and/or implementing policies that integrate ERSJ into program design and workplace culture.
- A combination of life experience, work experience, and/or education (advanced degree in psychology, social work, public administration, or other human services) that provides for knowledge and understanding of the behavioral health delivery system as well as its strengths and gaps and that equips the candidate to credibly set strategic direction, work with community partners and lead a team.
- Knowledge and experience in strategic planning and management techniques and principles, measurement and performance standards and communication strategies.
- People leadership experience, which demonstrates:
- Experience with building and leading effective teams in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering open dialogue.
- Ability to develop and lead direct reports, furthering people's career goals, providing challenging and stretching tasks and assignments and effectively developing all levels of staff.
- Building relationships and treating all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, as well as solving problems for the good of all.
- Experience developing and nurturing strong, productive relationships with union leadership, respecting established processes, and fostering an environment of mutual respect.
- Experience supervising (10 or more people), coaching, mentoring and supporting colleagues while being coached, mentored and supported by colleagues.
- Ability to develop a thorough understanding of the context around high priority issues for the Division and the Department, and to identify intersecting issues, conflicts and opportunities for collaboration across County Departments, subject matter experts, and external partners.
- Experience developing, analyzing and managing a budget of at least $10 million.
- Demonstrated skill in project design/management and high level of people and process management skills including mediating between competing interests.
- High integrity and a commitment to continuous improvement which:
- Have a good sense of self, knowing personal strengths, weaknesses, and biases and the impacts of these on others, particularly those you lead; possessing a commitment to continuously advancing this self-awareness.
- Have curiosity to question established practices, the emotional intelligence to drive change while strengthening relationships, and the growth mindset needed to incorporate new ways of working, thinking and relating.
- Demonstrate transparency and build trust, courageously, and consistently acting upon a strong set of core values that are aligned with King County values.
- Have the ability as a leader to facilitate difficult conversations, particularly related to equity, race (and other protected classes), power, and privilege.
- Have the leadership courage and ability to identify and take steps necessary to ensure that all have equitable opportunities to thrive.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation and facilitation.
- Ability to work with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds and build consensus among a diverse group of individuals with varying opinions.
- Proven ability to plan and manage within formally supervised teams and matrix managed teams.
Desired Qualifications:
- Strong knowledge of crisis services in King County and/or Washington State.
- Direct experience working in a federal, state or local government to develop, analyze and implement complex policies or programs at a strategic level utilizing strong organizational and logistical methodologies.
Supplemental Information
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
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.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
