Director of Behavioral Health for Allegheny County, PA

Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is nationally recognized for making data-driven decisions and relentlessly testing new strategies to find what works. We care about people, and we show that by getting results. In Allegheny County, we hold the levers for a $500 million behavioral health Medicaid program, alongside another $200 million in additional, flexible funding to improve the behavioral health of the county’s most vulnerable children, youth, and adults. 

Allegheny County DHS is deploying cutting-edge solutions to modernize its system of care. In recent years, we have: 

• rebuilt our behavioral health crisis system, including implementing geographically focused teams to more quickly respond to people in crisis;  

• launched and expanded law enforcement assisted diversion, and deployed behavioral health teams from 911 in lieu of police;  

• launched a process and treatment to restore competency to participate in criminal proceedings in the community instead of jail or state hospitals;  

• bolstered the behavioral health workforce through a sizable fellowship that includes student-loan repayment as well as professional development; 

• invested millions in informal mental health supports -- non-clinical help from peers, friends and family, religious leaders, or other non-health professionals in communities that may mistrust government and/or traditional clinical services; 

• ensured that everyone coming into the jail can be assessed and provided full Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid and Alcohol Use Disorders; 

• pioneered large-scale, gold-standard research on “contingency management” (using a behavioral therapy that uses “rewards” to help people stay on the path to recovery) and incentivizing the use of long-acting medications for people with serious mental illness;  

• transformed the mental health housing system by using data-driven approaches to serve the highest risk clients and reduce lengthy waitlists;  

• carefully considered the risks and benefits of including policy and practice options like adopting Assisted Outpatient Treatment in our continuum of care. 

Our next challenges lie in integrating care with physical health more seamlessly, reducing disparities by building a system that works better for people in greatest need, and deftly adjusting our Medicaid program to respond to policy changes at the state and federal levels while keeping our clients covered. 

The Director of Behavioral Health will lead Allegheny County in seizing these and other opportunities to build and run an outstanding system of care. The role reports to the Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS) and oversees four direct and 120 indirect report staff. The salary range for this position is $159,000-$175,000. The position is hybrid, with most work performed on-site in Allegheny County, where the Director is required to reside.

We are seeking a high impact performer who will serve as: 

• A leader who works with our communities, partners, and 200 provider agencies to articulate an ambitious vision for behavioral health in Allegheny County—and then sets the goals, establishes the structure, and supports the teams who will set and implement a vision for investing more than $700 million annually in quality care to vulnerable individuals.  

• An excellent administrator of a system of care with dozens of programs and services. 

• The chief communicator about mental health and substance use disorders—educating the county’s residents in ways that help them prevent harm and get help, advocating for policies and decisions that improve health, and inspiring the thousands of staff devoted to behavioral health care to help their clients thrive. 

• An executive member of DHS’s leadership team. 

Qualifications and Experience 

• Minimum six years of professional experience in the field of mental health, substance use disorders, social services, or public administration, including three years of administrative experience in a physical health or behavioral health organization and a bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of experience and training.

• A reputation as an inspiring, motivating leader who will collaboratively set a clear vision, foster a positive work environment and delegate both short-term and long-term goals effectively.

• A record of cutting through bureaucracy to deliver results; able to think clearly, simplify complexity, and design workable solutions in a highly regulated environment. 

• Proven experience in advancing health equity, addressing disparities in care, and building trust with historically marginalized communities.

• An exceptional track record of designing and implementing data-driven policies, programs or reforms in behavioral health or related systems and leading teams towards high quality programs and processes. 

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment, balancing long-term strategy with immediate operational needs.

In addition to our mission oriented, supportive culture and competitive salary, Allegheny County and its’ partners offer a generous total rewards package. This includes health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, life insurance, long and short-term disability, employee assistance program, vacation and sick leave, and the County's retirement program.

We invite interested, qualified candidates to explore and apply for this exciting opportunity.

                                                              AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D

Salary : $700