Apply on Employer Site

NEOGOV · 2 months ago

DSHS Assistant Secretary of Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration

Thurston County – Olympia, WA

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$146K/yr - $195K/yr

NEOGOV is seeking a DSHS Assistant Secretary for the Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration. This role involves leading one of the state’s largest systems overseeing various behavioral health facilities, ensuring operational stability, crisis management, and cultural leadership.

GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware

Responsibilities

Ensure BHHA’s 24/7 facilities are prepared to manage high-stakes incidents and safety concerns with consistency and confidence

Build a respectful, accountable culture by addressing workplace concerns directly, strengthening engagement, and increasing leadership visibility

Break down silos and foster alignment between headquarters and field operations

Strengthen communication, build shared goals, and create a sense of unity across diverse service areas

Represent BHHA with clarity and confidence in legislative, external, and senior-level forums

Work in close partnership with communications teams, agency leaders, and external partners to align messaging, elevate BHHA’s external presence, and project a strong, consistent voice

Provide timely, solution-focused briefings to the Secretary and DSHS leadership on emerging priorities, risks, and opportunities

Qualification

Crisis ManagementExecutive LeadershipOrganizational ChangeStrategic CommunicationPolitical AcumenOperational StewardshipCollaborationInclusivityTransparencyTrust Building

Required

Executive Leadership in Complex Systems

Crisis Management and Decision Making

Organizational Change and Culture Building

Strategic Communication and Influence

Political and Stakeholder Acumen

Collaboration and Partnership

Operational and Financial Stewardship

Preferred

A bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Social Services, Health and Human Services, or related fields

Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.

Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems.

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month.

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165.

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave.