Manager IV (Chief of Adult Services)

Job Description:

Manager IV (Chief of Adult Services)

Description

About the Opportunity

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is an experienced behavioral health leader with expertise in overseeing comprehensive adult mental health and substance use disorder services. They possess strong knowledge of integrated behavioral health care, Medi-Cal, evidence-based practices, and the regulatory and operational requirements of public behavioral health systems.

The successful candidate is a strategic, forward-thinking leader who can advance the integration of mental health and substance use disorder treatment, strengthen coordination across the continuum of care, and improve outcomes for adults with complex and co-occurring needs. They excel at leading multidisciplinary teams, building collaborative partnerships, and using data to drive quality and performance. Strong leadership, communication, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with a commitment to person-centered, recovery-oriented care.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: 10/5/2026
Oral Examination: Tentatively the week of October 19, 2026

To learn more about Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, https://www.stancounty.com/bhrs/ .

THE POSITION

The Chief of Adult Services is a member of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Senior Leadership Team and reports to the Assistant Director. This position provides leadership and strategic direction for the Department’s continuum of adult mental health and substance use disorder services. The Chief leads the Adult Services Division, with a strong focus on advancing integrated treatment and strengthening coordination across mental health and substance use disorder programs.

The Chief is responsible for overseeing the Division’s programs, operations, and strategic direction while advancing a comprehensive, person-centered system of care for adults with behavioral health needs, including individuals with complex and co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. The position collaborates with executive leadership, community providers, healthcare partners, and other system partners to improve access, strengthen care coordination, reduce service fragmentation, and promote quality outcomes across the adult behavioral health continuum.

Division Overview

The Adult Services Division is responsible for the planning, coordination, and delivery of comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment services for adults throughout Stanislaus County. The Division supports a broad continuum of care designed to meet individuals at varying levels of behavioral health need and promote recovery, stability, and community well-being.

A central focus of the Division is advancing the integration of mental health and substance use disorder treatment to better serve individuals with complex and co-occurring conditions. The Division works to strengthen coordination across programs, improve transitions between levels of care, and reduce fragmentation within the behavioral health system. Through collaboration with other County programs, contracted providers, healthcare partners, and community organizations, Adult Services works to create a more connected and responsive continuum of behavioral health care.

The Division promotes a person-centered, recovery-oriented system that integrates mental health and substance use disorder treatment and ensures adults receive timely, coordinated, and appropriate services based on their individual needs.

Questions? We're Here to Help!

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, the recruitment process, or need assistance with your application, please contact the Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Recruitments Team at (209) 525-6112 or [email protected].

Typical Tasks

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Adult Services Division and its continuum of mental health and substance use treatment services.
• Lead efforts to integrate mental health and substance use disorder treatment, with particular focus on improving services for individuals with co-occurring conditions.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve access, engagement, care coordination, transitions between levels of care, and continuity of behavioral health services.
• Develop and strengthen pathways between outpatient, intensive, residential, withdrawal management, medication treatment, recovery, and other community-based services across the mental health and SUD continuum.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of adult behavioral health programs and services.
• Ensure programs operate in accordance with Specialty Mental Health Services and DMC-ODS requirements, Medi-Cal regulations, Department policies, and established standards of care.
• Analyze utilization, access, quality, and outcome data to identify service gaps, evaluate program performance, and guide system improvements.
• Collaborate with other Systems of Care, managed care plans, healthcare partners, contracted providers, housing and social service partners, and community organizations to strengthen the adult behavioral health continuum.
• Provide leadership and oversight to managers and multidisciplinary teams; motivate, coach, and support staff in achieving Department and Division goals.
• Lead organizational and practice changes necessary to support integrated, person-centered, recovery-oriented, and evidence-based care.
• Participate in the development and monitoring of the Department’s budget and ensure effective stewardship of resources supporting the Adult Services Division.
• Develop policies, procedures, and operational practices consistent with applicable regulatory and program requirements.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, reports, Board agenda items, and responses to stakeholder and community inquiries.
• Lead and support responses to system- and program-level crises, operational challenges, and emerging community needs.
• Collaborate as a member of the BHRS Senior Leadership Team to advance Department-wide strategic priorities and uphold the vision, mission, and values of BHRS and Stanislaus County.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

KNOWLEDGE

• Adult behavioral health treatment systems, including mental health and substance use treatment services;
• Medi-Cal behavioral health delivery systems, including Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) and the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS);
• Principles and practices of integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment, including services for individuals with co-occurring conditions;
• Evidence-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented behavioral health practices;
• Behavioral health continuums of care, including outpatient, intensive community-based, crisis, residential, withdrawal management, medication treatment, recovery, and supportive services;
• Medi-Cal managed care, behavioral health financing, reimbursement, documentation, and compliance requirements;
• Current federal and state laws, regulations, and policy developments affecting public behavioral health systems;
• Principles of consumer and family engagement, peer support, recovery, and community-based care;
• Social determinants impacting behavioral health outcomes, including housing, healthcare access, justice involvement, and other community needs; and
• Principles of organizational leadership, program development, quality improvement, performance management, and fiscal stewardship.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Translate the Department’s vision, mission, values, and strategic priorities into effective operational plans and measurable outcomes;
• Lead and advance an integrated system of adult mental health and substance use disorder services, including services for individuals with co-occurring conditions;
• Operationalize system-of-care and cross-system approaches that improve access, coordination, transitions, and continuity of care;
• Provide effective leadership and oversight of complex public behavioral health programs, including Specialty Mental Health Services and DMC-ODS;
• Anticipate and respond effectively to changes in Medi-Cal, funding, legislation, regulations, and behavioral health policy;
• Analyze complex administrative, clinical, fiscal, and operational issues and develop effective solutions;
• Lead organizational and system change while identifying opportunities to improve quality, access, efficiency, and outcomes;
• Motivate, coach, develop, and support managers and staff while effectively delegating responsibility and maintaining accountability;
• Build effective partnerships with consumers and families, community organizations, healthcare partners, managed care plans, contracted providers, and other governmental agencies;
• Facilitate collaboration across programs and systems to address complex behavioral health and community needs;
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences and prepare clear, comprehensive, and professional written reports, presentations, correspondence, and recommendations;
• Organize and facilitate workgroups, committees, stakeholder meetings, and other collaborative planning efforts;
• Apply effective conflict resolution, negotiation, and problem-solving skills;
• Manage priorities and perform effectively in a complex, rapidly changing public behavioral health environment;
• Work independently and collaboratively as a member of the Department’s Senior Leadership Team; and
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish are highly desirable.

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

MANAGER IV

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, or a related field; AND
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within eighteen (18) months of appointment, licensure in the State of California as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC); AND
• Two (2) years of management experience comparable to a Stanislaus County Manager III; OR
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible management experience in behavioral health, healthcare administration, managed care, or a related public sector environment involving program administration, strategic planning, interagency collaboration, and organizational leadership.

Proof of education will be required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call (209) 525-6112 to make other arrangements before 5 pm on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before the final filing deadline will result in disqualification.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening will focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.

• Current and active licensure in the State of California as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
• One (1) year of experience administering, managing, or overseeing services within the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS).

Application and Selection Procedures

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE

Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS
Most County recruitments consist of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months but may be extended up to eighteen months.

GENERAL INFORMATION

CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Unclassified Service of the County and considered “at will” for labor relations purposes. The individual selected will participate in the Stanislaus County Pay-for-Performance program, as well as receive additional benefits.

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations are required to complete and submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form prior to the test administration date. Special arrangements for religious convictions should be included in the "Additional Information" section of the application form.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Pass County-paid pre-employment job-related background investigation.
• Perform job duties in a manner assuring a safe working environment for oneself and others.
• Maintain confidential information according to the legal standards and/or County regulations as required.
• Some positions may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and meet County insurability requirements.

APPLICATION AND/OR EXAMINATION APPEAL RIGHTS

Application and/or examination results may be appealed by applicants presenting facts alleging irregularity, fraud and/or error in application screening or in exam scoring. Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Chief Executive Officer within seven (7) days after the examination results are emailed.

DISCLAIMER

Stanislaus County reserves the right to revise the examination plan described in this flyer to better meet the needs of County service. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The information contained in the bulletin is information which sets forth a general summary of benefits for this respective position. This information is not legally binding. The benefits and other information regarding this position may be found in the Stanislaus County Code, the Stanislaus County Personnel Policies manual, or in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s), and such information prevails over information contained in this flyer. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office/Human Relations.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary.

Closing Date/Time: 10/5/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$106,537.60 - $159,827.20 Annually