Behavioral Health & Prevention Services Director

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 and Prevention Services Director is responsible for providing leadership and support for school districts, staff, and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in developing and supporting safe and drug free schools; administering grants, projects, and programs that are responsive to changing education needs; removing non-academic barriers to learning with the goal of decreasing the region’s dropout rate and increasing the graduation rate.  The Behavioral Health and Prevention Services Director must follow WAC 388-877-0410 to fulfill the key responsibilities and maintain licensing requirements, as the Agency Administrator for NWESD Mental Health treatment services.

Essential Functions:

Duties listed are intended to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position. Incumbent(s) may not perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties not listed, but within the general scope of the position.

• Directly supervises staff, which includes scheduling, planning, and initiating strategies for performance, assigning and directing the work, training, administering disciplinary measures, formally reviewing performance, recommending salary adjustments, resolving complaints, and recommending the hiring and termination of staff.
• Provides department supervision; performs fiscal management tasks including budget preparation and management, authorizing purchase orders and contracts, time and effort reporting, and grant administration, provides leadership and in-house coordination for Coordinated Services Agreement (CSA) activities and programs to ensure the goals of the CSA are fulfilled.
• Directs all programs/services within the Behavioral Health and Prevention Services Department to ensure that the aims, goals, and objectives of each program is accomplished in accordance with prescribed timelines, priorities, and funding.
• Provide leadership in supporting school efforts to increase student achievement through acquisition and sustaining social and emotional support programs that remove barriers to learning.
• Conducts training for school district personnel and community agencies for the purpose of reducing non-academic barriers to learning.
• Compiles a wide variety of data for the purpose of analyzing issues, developing, and implementing proven practices in schools and communities.
• Provides technical assistance to school districts for developing comprehensive prevention programs, linking prevention to school improvement, and planning in response to federal and state initiatives.
• Assumes responsibility for Chemical Dependency Treatment manual reviews and revisions.
• Uses Business Framework Strategies to research and anticipate needed services for districts and able to create and capture value with implementation of new or expanded programs.
• Develops grant initiatives to support school and community collaboration in Pre-K to young adults focusing on early prevention/intervention in substance abuse, mental health, violence, and other barriers to learning.
• Oversees the mental health program services and administration in support of removing barriers to student learning and achievement.
• Works with ESD State Directors group, and in collaboration with state agencies, to support the sustainability of programs through advocacy efforts.
• Works as a team member with OSPI and other state entities to provide leadership in prevention and intervention services for students/families while keeping them connected to school systems.
• Coordinates with other departments within NWESD to develop collaborative efforts to maximize resources in meeting the needs of school districts.
• Works closely with social services agencies to develop capacity for services within schools.
• Pursues ongoing professional development by attending conferences, reading, and performing extensive research.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of specific program requirements, including pertinent RCW/WAC regulations and the ability to interpret and implement and communicate such.
• Knowledge of school systems, community-based resources, effective substance abuse prevention and intervention strategies, effective mental health strategies.
• Knowledge of pertinent state and federal requirements and regulations related to grants management and oversight, and ability to respond to statewide mandates.
• Knowledge of program administration and budgeting processes. Demonstrated skill in managing and monitoring specific program budgets.
• Knowledge of effective leadership and supervisory techniques and skill in applying techniques.
• Knowledge of effective teaching and training techniques and skill in their use.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs (OSPI-developed such as NCS Mentor, Query) and applications specific to the educational environment as well as skill in word processing, databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, interactive video equipment, audio-visual equipment, and web design and development.
• Knowledge of conference planning and execution at a management level.
• Knowledge of organizational development, task management, planning and facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of Systems of Care and Complex Trauma preferred.
• Ability to secure funding for innovative programs at an expert level.
• Ability to perform skilled technical writing with effective outcomes.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of a service delivery model and make recommendations for restructuring or for alternative program design to promote success.
• Ability to delegate and monitor operations at remote sites.
• Ability to anticipate program needs and services desired by LEAs. Ability to develop cooperative programs and services based upon the needs of students and districts.
• Ability to analyze data to inform current and future department initiatives.
• 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 manage the program, including data analysis, budget development and oversight, operations and supervision of assigned staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written format.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other NWESD departments, local education personnel, OSPI/ESD staff, professional organization members, workshop/conference presenters, vendors, and the public.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in education preferred, a minimum of five (5) years K-12 teaching experience preferred, and a minimum of (5) five years’ experience in supervision/management preferably at the building and/or district level preferred. Experience with statewide projects preferred. Administrative credential preferred. WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work is performed approximately 50% in an office environment and approximately 50% traveling to districts and affiliate agencies, as well as for workshops, committee representation, and conferences.  Must be able to lift and carry a maximum of twenty (20) 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, and varied road conditions.

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.