What are the responsibilities and job description for the DSHS BHHA Clinical Services Manager position at State of Washington?
Lead where clinical care meets the legal system.
This role sits at the center of Washington's civil commitment process – where clinical expertise directly impacts patient rights, safety, and outcomes. You will guide teams, shape expanding programs, and represent care decisions in court.
If you're a licensed psychologist ready to lead at system level, this is a rare opportunity to influence both clinical practice and public health infrastructure.
In this role, you will lead and strengthen civil commitment clinical operations in a growing behavioral health system — ensuring legal compliance, improving care quality, and building high-performing teams that support patient outcomes.
You will lead and support multidisciplinary treatment teams within a growing behavioral health campus. The environment is mission-driven, fast-evolving, and highly collaborative, with strong alignment between clinical leadership and legal processes.
This is a fully onsite role based at Maple Lane Campus due to the nature of clinical oversight and court involvement. The position offers the stability and benefits of Washington State service, along with meaningful, mission-driven work.
If you're ready to lead clinical teams and influence civil commitment care at scale, we encourage you to apply today.
Who Should Apply
We are seeking professionals who meet one of the following:
- Licensed Psychologist (or eligible within 6 months) with leadership experience in inpatient or residential psychiatric settings, OR
- Licensed Psychologist with experience in forensic, civil commitment, or court-involved clinical work and team supervision
Some of What You Will Do
- Lead civil commitment clinical operations across multiple programs, ensuring compliance with RCW 71.05
- Oversee development of high-quality court petitions that meet legal and clinical standards
- Provide expert court testimony and represent clinical decisions with clarity and credibility
- Supervise and develop clinical staff, strengthening team performance and accountability
- Guide multidisciplinary teams in applying evidence-based treatment practices
- Evaluate program performance and implement process improvements across clinical operations
- Partner with leadership on staffing strategy, program growth, and operational readiness
- Support successful onboarding and launch of new units as the campus expands
What We're Looking For – Required Competencies
- Clinical Judgment: makes sound, defensible decisions in complex psychiatric cases
- Legal Acumen: applies clinical knowledge within legal frameworks and court expectations
- Leadership: effectively supervises, coaches, and develops professional staff
- Communication: delivers clear, structured written and verbal information, including in court settings
- Decision-Making: operates independently in high-stakes environments
- Collaboration: builds alignment across multidisciplinary teams
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Washington civil commitment statute (RCW 71.05)
- Direct experience writing civil commitment petitions
- Prior court testimony experience in a clinical capacity
- Experience supporting program expansion or new unit development
- Background in forensic or state hospital settings
To Apply
Click the green "APPLY" button and submit:
- Your resume
- Your cover letter addressing required competencies
Questions?
Email recruiter Kris George at kris.george@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 01860.
The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
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Salary : $157,396 - $164,892