Position Description: Veterans Initiatives Program Manager 

Position Title:Veterans Initiatives Program Manager – Behavioral Health

Classification: Full Time – Exempt

Salary: $75,000 - $88,000
 Position Available:Immediately

The Position

Are you ready to join a team that is committed to strengthening higher education, workforce development, and behavioral health throughout the western United States and Pacific Territories? The WICHE Behavioral Health Program (BHP) is searching for an energetic, self-directed, and detail-oriented Program Manager to work at our Boulder, Colorado offices. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, while maintaining a professional attitude and strong attention to detail. Our staff are engaged and busy from the first day and there is never a dull moment. 

About WICHE Veterans initiatives

The BHP Veterans Initiatives team is largely focused on the Together With Veterans (TWV) program which is a rural, community-based suicide prevention program. WICHE Veterans Initiative staff and consultants engage, train, and support local Veterans to lead planning and implementation of public health suicide prevention strategies targeting Veterans and their families. TWV is funded by the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Rural Health, supported by the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, and implemented via collaboration between the VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, WICHE, and rural Veterans and their local community partners.

About the Behavioral Health Program

WICHE’s Behavioral Health Program (BHP) provides technical assistance, education, consulting, and research services to strengthen behavioral health care in the West. Initiatives focus on analysis and growth of the behavioral health workforce, as well as overall improvements within the public mental health system. The BHP has a long history of providing mental health services in rural area, and for providing training to support prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts throughout the West.

Organizational Responsibility

Under the supervision of the Director of Veterans Initiatives, the Veterans Initiatives Program Manager promotes program integrity and excellence through development and implementation of veteran specific programming, materials, and tools. This position will provide leadership within the WICHE Veterans Initiatives team to establish and maintain strong veterans programming in direct collaboration with community coaches, WICHE staff, communities, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Specific Responsibilities

1. In coordination with TWV Data Specialist, identify communities not adhering to prescribed timelines and notify community coaches for follow up.
2. Assist communities with basic web application issues.
3. Mange requested enhancements and documenting technical issues within the TWV portal.
4. Forward complex issues, technical issues, and enhancements to Web Administrator, and track completion of the work. 

• Coordinate program level deliverables, including scheduling of activities and events as needed:
  1. Develop and disseminate products that support implementation of the TWV program, including the TWV Times Newsletter, Community Site Activity Reports, and the TWV Community of Practice.
  2. Develop and manage contacts for TWV communities and relevant state key contacts.
  3. Track TWV contract deliverables, including TWV community progress within the TWV program stages, submission of community information and data, and the WICHE BHP program implementation plan.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a human/social services or public health-related field with at least three years of relevant work experience.
• Successful record of managing all aspects of complex projects, including timeline development and tracking, compliance, and budgeting.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including professional editing and timely execution of documents and reports.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a self-directed manner with excellent attention to detail and accuracy while maintaining confidentiality of materials and information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and cordial working relationships in a service-oriented environment.
• Ability to think creatively, accompanied by solid analytical skills.
• Ability to travel, as some travel is required.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in a field appropriate to public health, program administration or grant management. 
• Five years of relevant work experience. 
• Experience including veterans’ services, and or demonstrated history working within veteran focused programming. 
• Career experience in health care or behavioral health.
• Veteran of United States Armed Forces

Travel 
 Position will be expected to travel in support of WICHE veterans’ initiatives on average several days a month.

About WICHE

 Since 1953, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) has been strengthening higher education, workforce development, and behavioral health throughout the region. As an interstate compact, WICHE partners with states, territories, and postsecondary institutions to share knowledge, create resources, and develop innovative solutions that address some of our society’s most pressing needs. From promoting high-quality, affordable postsecondary education to helping states get the most from their technology investments and addressing behavioral health challenges, WICHE improves lives across the West through innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy.

Benefits

 WICHE offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical insurance with generous employer contribution to health savings account (H.S.A.), dental, life, and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care); 403(b)retirement plan with employer match of 200% on employee contributions up to 5% after six full months of employment; and vacation accrual of four weeks per year, sick leave, paid holidays, and personal leave time.

WICHE is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally-protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups