Care Authorizer PPM II

The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences.

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community. At King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), we believe in working as one team that solves problems, striving to be customer-focused and drive for the best results. We envision a welcoming community that is racially just. We believe the field of human services exists to undo and mitigate unfair structures. We seek to lead the way by working as respectful and responsible stewards for our community.

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) of DCHS is looking for a Care Authorizer to support the Utilization Management & Clinical Coordination Section. The responsibilities of this position focus on utilization management, service authorization, and client services for the Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (BH-ASO) and the King County Integrated Care Network (KCICN) to improve behavioral health outcomes. This position includes contact with individuals, families and the community. This posting/recruitment will be used to fill up to (2) career service positions.

To be considered minimally qualified applicant must demonstrate a background that provides the knowledge, skills and ability to: 

• Authorize behavioral healthcare benefits for persons with intensive needs using King County established protocols.
• Participate in the authorization of mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) outpatient benefits for persons who require intensive outpatient services.
• Participate in monitoring site visits of contracted providers and other monitoring activities as assigned.
• Participate in care coordination services with the Managed Care Organizations to improve behavioral health outcomes.
• Provide clinical consultation and technical assistance to providers.
• Provide behavioral health resources through the Client Services phone line.
• Participate in multidisciplinary, intersystem care coordination teams as needed to develop cross-system intervention plans.
• Participate in utilization management and quality management activities to ensure that resources are used appropriately and efficiently.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE:

• Mental Health Professional (MHP) as defined by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-341-0200, and Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 71.05.020 and/or Substance Use Disorder Professional as defined by WAC 246-811-010 and RCW 18.205.  Professional licensure must be non-restricted. 
• Experience providing direct behavioral health services in a community center serving low-income, publicly funded individuals.
• Knowledge of and experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Knowledge of behavioral health recovery principles and practices.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Embody and advance Equity, race, and social justice principles in the workplace.

Desired Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Knowledge of and experience with clinical services provided through King County contracted behavioral health agencies.
• Experience participating in Diversity and Inclusion or Equity, Race, and Social Justice workgroups, initiatives, and/or practices.
• Experience working with King County Providers.
• Certified as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) 
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) 
• Experience working with persons who have co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders
• Recent Experience authorizing services in a behavioral health managed care plan.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

• This position has been designated Non-Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
• The work associated with this position will be performed or conducted through a combination of teleworking, on-site work, and meetings. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. The Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is Chinook, 401 5^th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. To respond to workplace reporting requirements, employees must reside in Washington state and be within a reasonable distance of their King County worksite.  
• King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• This position is scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. This position meets the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible with supervisory pre-approval.
• This position is not represented by a union.

WHO MAY APPLY:
This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews for this selection process will take place on or around May 28, 2026. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must submit an online King County application and respond to the supplemental questions. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the requested and relevant information in the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state, "see my resume" are considered incomplete and will not be considered to be competitive. If you have any questions, please contact Alicia Larsen, alarsen@kingcounty.gov.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Salary : $99,702 - $126,379