Health Services Assistant Deputy Director

Job Description:

Health Services Assistant Deputy Director

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

HEALTH SERVICES ASSISTANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR

(BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES)

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate’s qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Qualified a pplicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

This recruitment will establish an Open eligible list and will be used to fill current and future vacancies within this specialty. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County.

First Round of Consideration will be Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

THE AGENCY
The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
THE DEPARTMENT
TheBehavioral Health Services (BHS) Division consists of the following areas: Adult and Older Adult, Children and Youth Services, Quality Management Services, Mental Health Services Act Office, Data Analytics and Evaluation, Crisis and Acute Care Services, Substance Use Services, and Forensics and Justice Involved. These divisions provide a culturally competent and client-centered system of behavioral health services for all eligible county residents in need of treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse and mental health care.
THE PROGRAM

Crisis and Acute Care Services (CAC) provides responsive services to adults and youth in a behavioral health crisis. Services include mobile mental health Crisis Assessment Team (CAT), Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT), OC Links (24/7 Resources line), Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU), Crisis Residential Programs, In-home Crisis Stabilization services, inpatient psychiatric hospital services, coordination of 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, Suicide and Self-Harm Reduction services as well as the Wellness and Suicide Prevention Education services for transitional aged youth.

THE OPPORTUNITY
BHS is looking for experienced, dynamic leaders who bring a strategic mindset and a strong commitment to collaborating with County and community partners and ensuring BHS programs deliver consistent, high-quality appropriate levels of care and access to services. The immediate vacancy is within the Crisis and Acute Care function area. However, future vacancies may be in other Divisions; thus, qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

The responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Directing all crisis services delivered by BHS to individuals of all ages experiencing behavioral health crises on a 24/7 basis, including oversight of the Crisis Intervention Team Steering Committee, implementation of SB 43 in Orange County, and coordination of suicide prevention and wellness activities
• Providing direction for short- and long-term strategies, demonstrating systems thinking and adaptive program leadership and development, while ensuring compliance with behavioral health standards, quality measures, and policy requirements, within fiscal constraints

• Managing a combination of County and contracted programs and responding appropriately to Human Resources issues

• Developing and implementing qualitative and quantitative measures to monitor and evaluate business outcomes and drive continuous improvement
• Overseeing and managing large budgets and the allocation of program resources to ensure that mandated services are provided in a cost effective, fiscal accountable and client focused manner
• Maintaining awareness of changes in the political climate and demonstrate the political acumen and collaborative leadership when engaging with government officials, business partners and public stakeholders while responding to new challenges

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess at least five (5) years of progressive experience managing behavioral health programs and/or related operations. The ideal candidate will also possess at least two (2) years of experience leading a large team and/or multiple teams within a behavioral health setting. A valid registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Psychologist may be desirable for some positions.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and experience in the following core competencies:

Professional & Technical Expertise | Managing Organizational Complexity

• Interpreting and implementing laws, regulations, policies and procedures concerning health care regulations
• Understanding and application of behavioral health knowledge, including current issues, challenges, and trends
• Maneuvering through complex political situations and functions within the organization
• Anticipating obstacles and issues before they arise and providing appropriate solutions
• Managing programs within regulatory and budgetary guidelines, in collaboration with program support/budget
• Demonstrating resilience and solution-oriented thinking in the face of organizational challenges

Thinking & Acting Systematically | Leading Cross-Divisional Collaboration

• Using strategic foresight, appropriate judgment, data, and risk management skills in making business decisions and formulating policy recommendations for achieving positive business outcomes and meeting deadlines
• Making, evaluating, and revising long-range plans and goals for the department
• Analyzing problems and proposing solutions while dealing with changing priorities
• Identifying department needs, and the development, design and implementation of program objectives, policies and procedures, compliance, and audits
• Setting clear, challenging, and attainable goals for participating groups and ensuring goals are aligned with the goals of the BHS
• Identifying opportunities and solutions that will result in mutual gain for all parties while building coalitions across the agency, aligning goals and fostering shared accountability
• Understanding the importance and benefits of working in and/or with different divisions and teams

Visionary Leadership

• Creating a positive work environment in which all staff are motivated to do their best
• Taking a long-term view and building a shared vision with others
• Valuing differing backgrounds and points of view in the workplace and leveraging those differences in group process and decision making
• Convincingly explaining the benefits of a course of action or advantages over alternatives
• Removing barriers to equal opportunity and participation
• Sharing knowledge and expertise willingly and supporting others’ career and development plans
• Determining objectives, prioritizing tasks, and delegating work
• Building a shared vision and motivates teams through inspirational communication and authentic engagement

Decision Making

• Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Evaluating the chosen course of action after it has been implemented in order to determine its efficacy
• Demonstrating decisiveness and learning from previous outcomes, decisions and experiences
• Makes timely, data-informed decisions and evaluates outcomes to refine future strategies

Building and Maintaining Relationships | Handling & Resolving Conflicts

• Building effective working relationships across all levels of the organization and outside communities by dealing effectively with empathy and diplomacy with various levels of stakeholders
• Dealing with interpersonally or politically challenging situations calmly and diplomatically, while diffusing tension

Communication | Presentation

• Presenting and tailoring information and materials to various types of audiences including but not limited to, public official meetings, commission hearings and stakeholder public meetings
• Communicating effectively and tactfully with County leadership and management, departmental staff, outside agencies, and the general public both verbally and in writing

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here for information on the minimum qualifications for the Health Services Assistant Deputy Directorclassification.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
Applicants will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Email Notification

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Rasika Wijayaweera at (714) 834-7877 or rwijayaweera@ochca.com .

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Administrative Management *
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits -- such as a variety of health plan options, sick and vacation time and paid holidays -- we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as:

• Retirement: Benefits are provided through the Orange County Employees' Retirement System (OCERS). Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
  http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information.
• Paid Leave: Twelve holidays per year plus sick and vacation time
• Health & Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• Dental Insurance: County pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums
• Paid Life Insurance: $100,000 life insurance policy
• Paid Accidental & Death and Dismemberment Insurance: $100,000 AD&D insurance policy
• Paid Short & Long Term Disability insurance programs
• 457 Defined Contribution Program

*Effective 07/01/20, management employees who are sworn Public Safety Managers receive health insurance benefits through the AOCDS Medical Benefit Plans.

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$154,752.00 - $214,302.40 Annually