Behavioral Health Administrator

The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

The Behavioral Health Administrator works collaboratively with the Behavioral Health and Prevention Service Director and Assistant Director to implement a school-based mental health program across the five county region utilizing a system of care approach. This position works closely with community-based partners to facilitate and coordinate service supports for children, families, and school districts to promote personal and social-emotional development for participating children/youth, and advance positive and productive learning environments.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinates regional behavioral health resources, supports service providers, school, school districts and communities in removing barriers for access to services.
• Works with districts to build School Based Health Center and will work to coordinate and integrate funding streams to sustain school based behavioral health programming within the LEA.
• Facilitates partnerships and coordination between school districts, public schools, and existing regional and local systems of behavioral health services and supports for the purpose of increasing student and family access to the service and supports and coordination across systems.
• Coordinates and maintains inventory of NWESD programs and resources for the purpose of linking school district to appropriate resources (ie; MTSS, Mental Health providers, Intervention Specialists, Early Warning, School Safety and SAPISP representatives), and coordinate across internal programs.
• Provides suicide prevention, intervention, postvention training and technical assistance to school staff and students.
• Engages district/school and community-level partners, including parents and youth, in designing and enhancing systems of care support.
• Works collaboratively with education and health care partners, to review policies and practices and make recommendations to reduce barriers to service delivery.
• Leads staff or community trainings to increase community and school district capacity to recognize and respond to children’s mental health concerns.
• Recruits individuals and agencies with experience providing behavioral health services to the school-aged youth and familiarity with culture(s) and language(s) representative of the student population.
• Participates in internal and external committees and team meetings upon request.
• Attends various community meetings on behalf of the NWESD and reports relevant information to the Director of Behavioral Health and Prevention Services, upon request.
• Works with the Behavioral Health Program Manager to ensure timely data collection and reporting.
• Collaborates with other departments within the NWESD to collectively work towards successful student achievement and continuous improvement.
• Assists with technical writing such as grants, needs assessments, and maintaining inventories on a database and performs other technical writing as assigned.
• Completes required paperwork including monthly activity summary, travel forms, and calendars.
• Performs related duties as assigned. Related duties may not specifically be listed but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of local and regional behavioral health system, EBPs and behavioral health policies.
• Knowledge of school based mental health programming, school safety and/or school counseling.
• Knowledge of System of Care core values, and the ability to work effectively in the local system of care.
• Knowledge of child development, child psychology, and behavioral management techniques.
• Knowledge of district, school, and classroom functioning.
• Knowledge of departmental and/or program goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of pertinent state and federal requirements and regulations related to grants and oversight.
• Knowledge of effective leadership, supervisory, and decision making techniques.
• Knowledge of computer and software applications and related academic uses.
• Knowledge of and skill in using successful teaching techniques for adult learners.
• Skill in using evidence based practices in behavioral health, prevention, and social emotional learning.
• Skill in using Medicaid Mental Health billing and coding.
• Ability to supervise, motivate, and evaluate staff; listen, collaborate, and facilitate dialogue and problem solving among and between staff.
• Ability to train staff in appropriate programming for at-risk students.
• Ability to perform technical writing and write effective, measurable outcomes.
• Ability to organize and follow through on multiple tasks, address concerns as they arise, meet deadlines, and plan ahead to meet future needs and goals.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a variety of settings to accomplish program objectives and to function as an effective member of the administrative team.
• Ability to successfully demonstrate human relation and customer service skills.
• Ability to problem solve and constructively manage crisis and high stress situations.
• Ability to mediate conflict resolution, and facilitate group discussion and consensus.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written format.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, Board members, Superintendent, school district staff, advocacy groups and parents, legal advisors, OSPI staff, higher education staff/administrators, facility managers, community service providers, and the public.

Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social/Human Services, Psychology, Behavioral Science, or equivalent field and 3 years of experience working in education. Master’s Degree in School Administration, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy or Clinical Social Work preferred. Mental health license preferred. WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required. Valid WA State driver’s license and proof of insurance required.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work is performed approximately 75% in an office environment and approximately 25% traveling to districts and affiliate agencies, as well as for workshops, committee representation, and conferences. Lifts and carries a maximum of 40 pounds. Adequate manual and finger dexterity, hearing, speech, and vision are necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.

Hazards: Potential hazards are present based on the fact that the position requires the incumbent to drive a significant amount. Hazards may include but are not limited to traveling alone, driving in inclement weather conditions, varied road conditions, rush hour traffic, etc.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

It is the policy of the Northwest Educational Service District No. 189 to not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship or immigration status.