Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

Department:

Job Type:

Exemption Status:

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

The Opportunity:

We seek leaders, achievers and doers who bring skill and passion to a challenging and evolving environment.  At the Multnomah County Health Department we are all inspired by the mission: We work with communities to advance health equity, protect the most vulnerable, and promote health and wellness for everyone and we uphold the values: Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity and Integrity. We create a culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse population we serve in our communities. 

About the Position

Multnomah County Health Department is seeking a dynamic and experienced Behavioral Health Division Director (Mental Health Director) to lead one of the county’s largest and most complex divisions, dedicated to ensuring equitable, high-quality, equity-based behavioral health services for our community.

As a senior-level executive and Community Mental Health Program (CMHP) administrator, this position provides strategic leadership for county-wide behavioral health and addiction services, overseeing clinical care, policy direction, fiscal management, workforce development, and system transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership — Lead and inspire a division of 300+ staff across multiple behavioral health service areas, driving strategic planning, policy development, resource allocation, and operational excellence.

• Planning & Program Development — Assess community needs, develop comprehensive service plans, and oversee new program initiatives from concept to implementation.

• Program Management — Direct services and ensure County representation on relevant state and regional committees. Oversee contracts, performance measures, and compliance with state and federal regulations.

• Daily Operations — Ensure smooth daily functioning of division services, including budget management, staffing oversight, and response to operational challenges.

Divisional Oversight

This position leads the following key units:

• Addictions Services -  (Recovery Support/PATH program, Contract Management Unit, Deflection Services & Prevention Programs)

• Care Coordination - (Choice Model Program, Intensive Care Coordination, Multnomah Intensive Transition Team & Wraparound)

• Civil Commitment & Forensics - (Pre Commitment, Post Commitment, Commitment Monitoring & Trial Visit Monitoring)

• Direct Clinical Services - (CARES Northwest, Early Childhood Program, Early Assessment & Support Alliance, School-Based Mental Health, K-12 Case Management & Gun Violence Impacted Families Behavioral Health Response Team)

• Office of Consumer Engagement  - (supporting role for the Behavioral Health Advisory Council & Behavioral Health Division)

• Safety Net Services - (Adult Protective Services/Risk Case Management, Behavioral Health Resource Center, Crisis Services, MH Treatment for the Uninsured Multnomah Treatment Fund, Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative, Residential Services)

• Quality Management - (Quality Assurance & Compliance Unit & Decision Support Unit)

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be:

• A strategic, inclusive, and collaborative leader with deep knowledge of behavioral health systems and public health administration.

• Skilled in managing large, complex organizations with diverse funding streams and stakeholder relationships.

• Committed to advancing equity, trauma-informed practice, and culturally responsive care.

• Experienced in partnership building across government, healthcare systems, and community organizations.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Education/ Experience: 

• A Master’s degree (or higher) in Behavioral Health, Public Administration, Public Health, or a related field.

• Significant experience (typically 8+ years) in behavioral health program leadership, including fiscal oversight, staff supervision, and policy development.

• Knowledge of Oregon’s mental health laws, Medicaid system, and LMHA responsibilities preferred.

Preferred Qualifications/ Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/ transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills. 

• Extensive experience in operational business management, including budget development and management, contract negotiation, and human resource management.

• Strong communication skills, with experience representing an organization in governmental and community settings, including working with media and presenting to governing bodies.

• Experience working with Unions is strongly preferred.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING & EVALUATION:

REQUIRED: 

The Application Packet: You must submit ALL requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

• A completed online application.

• A resume that explains all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in your resume.

• A cover letter that expands on your resume, addressing how you qualify for the position, why you are interested in the role, and how you will apply an equity lens in this role.

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the ‘Overview’ and ‘To Qualify’ sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process. 

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications

• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates

• Consideration of top candidates/interviews

• Background, reference, and education checks

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Type of Position: This salaried position is not eligible for overtime.

Type: Not-Represented Management

FLSA: Exempt

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, some weekends and evenings

Location: Gladys McCoy Building @ 619 NW 6th Ave Portland, OR 97209  

This position is eligible for Hybrid telework.

Salary/Pay: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Inclusively Leading with Race: Multnomah County is not exempt from our nation’s legacy of white supremacy culture in its institutions, policies, structures and systems of care. This legacy furthers racial disparities in our community and our workforce. The County is committed to inclusively leading with race to fulfill our promise to address racism within our workforce and the community. The word “inclusively” ensures that communities with overlapping identities — and people for whom those identities compound disparities — are not overlooked. We must center the experiences of people of color within other marginalized identities. We lead with race with the recognition that the creation and perpetuation of racial inequities have been baked into American culture and our government, and that racial inequities across all indicators for success are deep and pervasive. We also know that other groups of people are still marginalized, including based on gender, sexual orientation, ability, and age, to name but a few. Knowing this helps us take a more intersectional approach, while always naming the role that race plays in people’s experiences and outcomes.

Our Commitment to Safety, Trust and Belonging: Multnomah County is committed to developing, nurturing and continually improving workforce equity by identifying and addressing the structural and policy barriers to equal employment opportunity faced by our employees and communities. County employees across the organization have stepped forward to develop a strategic plan and help create a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. Learn more by reading our Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and exploring our Core Competencies for all County employees

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page. 

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

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Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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