Chief, Behavioral Health and Crisis Services
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks visionary executive to lead our Behavioral Health and Crisis Services division. The Chief of Behavioral Health and Crisis Services provides leadership and oversight of the County's Behavioral Health and Crisis Services. The position will also serve as a senior member of the Department's leadership team responsible for building and nurturing a fully integrated public health and human services system.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate an active knowledge of the development and delivery of comprehensive public behavioral health and crisis services and the ability to direct strategic initiatives which address root causes of inequalities, reduce barriers to services and enrich systems that contribute to the well-being of county residents. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the interdependencies between human services, somatic health, and behavioral health and a strong commitment to working within and contributing to an integrated public health and human services delivery system. The candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to community engagement focused on building ongoing relationships that inform and influence public behavioral health and crisis services.
Job Responsibilities:
- Plans, leads, and supervises management staff in implementing the core Behavioral Health and Crisis Service functions of assessment, policy development, education, and quality assurance.
- Promotes and fosters partnerships with public and private agencies in order to assure a coordinated system of Behavioral Health and Crisis Services.
- Assures the effectiveness of Behavioral Health and Crisis Service programs and policies through conducting evaluations and assessing customer feedback.
- Assures effective fiscal and management controls.
- Ensures the provision of adequate and relevant staff training.
- Assists the Director in the development and implementation of an integrated health and human services system.
- Maintains communications and represents Behavioral Health and Crisis Services to clients, the general public, and to federal, State, and local agencies and officials.
- Ensures that employees at all levels are encouraged to participate in program and policy development.
Highlighted Qualifications:
Program Knowledge
- Extensive knowledge of behavioral health and crisis principles and issues, and of developments in the mental health and public health regulatory fields.
- Thorough knowledge of, and commitment to customer service and client focused integrated and interdisciplinary service delivery.
Equity and Social Justice
- Understanding and commitment equity and social justice and impact of social determinants on health and well-being.
Cultural Competence
- Cultural competence obtained through working with racially and culturally diverse communities.
- Bilingual preferred -Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean or Amharic.
Leadership
- Ability to lead, plan, implement, and evaluate behavioral health and crisis intervention programs.
- Extensive experience with outcome-based planning and accountability.
Relationship Management
- Ability to establish collaborative and cooperative approaches to achieving goals.
- Fosters an environment of collaboration through partnerships with government agencies, private sector organizations, community-based groups, and clients.
- Creates an environment based on open, clear, and consistent communication among staff.
Experience and Education:
Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in organizational management or in behavioral health and crisis service programs, four (4) years of which were in a supervisory or executive capacity.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in a public health, human services, or public administration field.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
The Chief of Behavioral Health and Crisis Services will be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. This is a non-merit position within the Montgomery County Government and will report to the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services.
About the Division of Behavioral Health and Crisis Services
The Behavioral Health and Crisis Services (BHCS) division promotes the behavioral health and well-being of Montgomery County residents. BHCS works to promote mental wellness, prevent substance abuse and suicide, and to ensure access to a comprehensive treatment and recovery system of effective services and support for children, youth and families, adults, and seniors in crisis or with behavioral health needs. BHCS is committed to ensuring culturally and linguistically competent care and the use of evidence-based or best practices along a continuum of care. BHCS works with the State's Behavioral Health Administration, HHS service areas, County agencies, and the community to provide strength-based and integrated services to persons in need.
Programs and Services include:
- Behavioral Health Planning and Management
- 24-Hour Crisis Center
- Mental Health Services for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
- Treatment Services
- Access to Behavioral Health Services
- Forensic Services
- Outpatient Behavioral Health Services - Adult and Child
- Trauma Services
- Specialty Behavioral Health Services
The FY2020 operating budget for Behavioral Health and Crisis Services is $ 45.5million. The staffing compliment includes 218 FTEs. For additional information regarding the FY2020 budget allocation for Behavioral Health and Crisis Services, please click here.
About Montgomery County Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County's public health and human services that meet the needs of our community's most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With 1,750 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.
As a Department, we believe health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods and healthy food. HHS' provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.
The Department delivers over 120 programs and services through six (06) divisions:
- Aging and Disability Services
- Behavioral Health and Crisis Services
- Children, Youth and Family Services
- Community Affairs
- Public Health Services
- Services to End and Prevent Homelessness
About Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, DC and with over one million residents, is the most populous county in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse county in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse county's in the nation. Montgomery County is home to many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.
The County Government is composed of the Executive and Legislative branches. The Executive Branch implements and enforces Montgomery County's laws and provides executive direction to the government. Its chief executive officer is the County Executive. There are over 30 executive branch departments and agencies that help to deliver services to more than one million county residents. Montgomery County is proud of the services it offers.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has outlined seven priority outcomes for the county's future.
- Thriving Youth and Families
- A Growing Economy
- A Greener County
- Easier Commutes
- A More Affordable and Welcoming County
- Safe Neighborhoods
- Effective, Sustainable Government