Behavioral Health Operations & Planning Manager (WMS2/DBHR) - Internal

Behavioral Health Operations & Planning Manager (WMS2/DBHR) - Internal

Salary

$89,412.00 - $125,184.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Agency Internal - Permanent

Remote Employment

Remote Optional

Job Number

2026-08277

Department

Health Care Authority

Division

BHR

Opening Date

10/02/2026

Closing Date

10/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Behavioral Health Operations & Planning Manager - Internal

This is a full-time permanent, remote position. Employees may occasionally be asked to attend an in-person meeting or event based on business needs.

This is an internal opportunity and is only open to current HCA employees.

All HCA employees are required to be Washington state residents upon their first day of employment.

The Opportunity

The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is seeking a Behavioral Health Operations & Planning Manager to join its operations leadership team. Reporting to the DBHR Chief of Staff, you will serve as the divisions expert on the Community Behavioral Health (CBH) budget, a statewide budget of more than $6 billion that includes federal block grants and state funding. You will lead the divisions legislative coordination, compliance program, and contracting processes while supervising a team of professional staff, and your work will impact behavioral health services across Washington.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the review, planning, and oversight of the statewide Community Behavioral Health budget, and advise division leaders on the use of CBH funds.
• Collaborate on SAMHSA grant applications, reporting, and corrective action plans.
• Ensure federal and state compliance for grants and dedicated accounts, including waivers, audits, and compliance reporting.
• Coordinate bill analyses, decision packages, agency request legislation, and proviso tracking with the agency Legislative Affairs team.
• Serve as the division point of contact with the Office of Financial Management and legislative staff.
• Oversee the divisions contract development processes and priority contract assignments.
• Advise the Attorney Generals Office on behavioral health litigation and lead contingency planning on federal funding impacts.
• Supervise a team of professional staff and represent the agency with federal partners, legislative staff, and the community.

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Youll shape how more than $6 billion in community behavioral health funding supports services for people across Washington.
• Youll be a member of the DBHR leadership team, advising division and agency leaders on high-priority, high-visibility work.
• Youll work directly with legislative staff, the Governors Office, federal partners, and community stakeholders on rapidly evolving behavioral health policy.
• Youll lead a team of professional staff while solving novel challenges that often come without a roadmap.

What You Bring:

You are a strategic thinker who develops practical solutions to complex challenges, even when there is no roadmap. You earn trust through honesty and professionalism, set clear goals, hold yourself and your team accountable, and adjust as priorities shift. You communicate clearly and persuasively with legislators, federal partners, advocates, and staff, and you bring an equity lens to decisions that affect the communities we serve.

Required Qualifications

Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and application.

Strategic Thinking:Develop innovative ideas that provide solutions to workplace challenges.

• Demonstrated ability to identify internal and external factors that impact the organization and develop strategies to effectively respond to changing conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate social, fiscal, and political trends and consider their potential impact on agency priorities and operations.
• Demonstrated ability to allocate, manage, and redirect budget and resources responsibly and efficiently to support organizational priorities and maximize available resources.

Trust and Integrity:Earn the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and clients through consistent honesty, transparency, and professionalism.

• Demonstrated ability to model ethical behavior, recognize potential conflicts of interest, and act responsibly and with integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trust through honest and candid communication while demonstrating compassion, diplomacy, fairness, and professionalism.

Performance and Accountability:Create and support a performance-based culture focused on accomplishing organizational goals and advancing the agencys mission.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate organizational goals and strategies in a way that motivates others and connects the agencys mission, vision, and values to everyday work.
• Demonstrated ability to establish clear, realistic, and measurable goals, expectations, deadlines, and outcomes while adjusting priorities as circumstances change.

Advocacy and Relationships:Communicate clear, timely, and persuasive messages that strengthen stakeholder relationships and build commitment and support for agency priorities and objectives.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain effective communication with agency leadership and build commitment and support for agency priorities and initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop respectful and collaborative relationships that foster shared understanding and support, including when decisions or outcomes affect stakeholders differently.
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately engage stakeholders in decision-making processes that may impact them.

Required Competencies:

Equity lens - All HCA employees are required to consider equity in their decisions, processes, and day-to-day work, including how their work may affect the people and communities we serve.

The ability to take action to learn and grow - You take action to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experiences, and using what you've learned to continuously improve how you work and serve others.

The ability to take action to meet the needs of others - You take action to meet the needs of others by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions that support the people of the communities we serve.

Preferred Qualifications

While these are not required, having them may help you stand out as an applicant.

• A bachelors or master's degree in behavioral health, Social Services, Public Administration, Business, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and support government-to-government relationships with Tribal Governments.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience applying Washington State procurement and contracting policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Demonstrated experience working within Washington States legislative, budget, and authorizing environment, including analyzing legislation and understanding the legislative process.
• Demonstrated experience developing, drafting, and implementing agency policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated professional experience in legislative and policy support, system redesign, grant management, contract management, and mental health and/or substance use disorders, including leadership, coordination, and administration of service delivery systems.

About the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR)

The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) provides support for substance use treatment, mental health services, and problem gambling services through prevention, treatment, peer, and recovery support. Programs promote strategies that support healthy lifestyles by preventing the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, supporting recovery from substance use, promoting recovery and resiliency, reducing stigma, and mitigating the effects of problem gambling on the individual and family. DBHR brings operational elements such as substance use and mental health into closer working relations to serve individuals more effectively and efficiently.

Supplemental Information

The Washington State Health Care Authority:

Better Health. Better Care. A Healthier Washington.

At HCA, we work to ensure people across Washington have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. As the State's largest health care purchaser and behavioral health authority, HCA serves nearly 3 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs, and behavioral health services. Through this work, HCA purchases and coordinated care coverage, supports behavioral health prevention, treatment, crisis response, and recovery and helps strengthen access to high -quality care across Washington.

More than a benefits package:

We want our employees to have the support, flexibility, and benefits they need to do their best work and build a career that works for their life. As a Washington State HCA employee, you'll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits are designed to support you today while helping you plan for the future. Learn more about why HCA by visiting the Voices of HCA and the "Who we are" section of our website.

Your total compensation is more than your paycheck:

• Remote work and flexible schedules
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PMFL)
• Retirement options to plan for the future
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits

Work Location and Schedule:

This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week remote position. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternative work schedules considered based on business needs and supervisor approval. In this role you will regularly collaborate with colleagues, agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners or customers. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace

The Health Care Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are respected, included, and supported in bringing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to work.

Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we work together and serve the people of Washington. HCA also supports five voluntary employee led Employee Resources Groups (ERGs), which create opportunities for connection, community, learning, and professional growth.

Application Directions:

To be considered, you must complete the online application in full and submit all required materials. Incomplete applications or applications missing required materials will not be considered. When completing your application, please include the following required materials:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• Three (3) professional references: References must be entered directly into the designated references section of your application. We require 3 professional references including at least one current or recent supervisor.

We encourage you to apply

If you meet the required qualifications for this position; we want to hear from you. Desired qualifications describe additional experience, knowledge or skills that may be helpful in the role, but they are not required to be considered for the position. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.

Veterans

We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans' preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214 documentation to your application. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

Need accommodations or have questions?: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Lisa Fleming, Human Resource Consultant (Recruiter) at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov and reference the recruitment title and job number in the subject line.

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

I acknowledge that I have included at least three references, and that I have uploaded a cover letter and resume in the attachments section of my application.

• Yes
• No

02

I acknowledge that this internal opportunity is only open to current HCA employees.

• Yes
• No

03

If hired for this position, do you currently possess required documents to allow you to legally work within the United States? The attached link lists acceptable documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• Yes
• No

04

Will you require sponsorship for an employment-related immigration benefit, either now or in the future?

• Yes
• No

05

How would you rate your ability to identify internal and external factors that impact the organization and develop strategies to effectively respond to changing conditions?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

06

How would you rate your ability to evaluate social, fiscal, and political trends and consider their potential impact on agency priorities and operations?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

07

How would you rate your ability to allocate, manage, and redirect budget and resources responsibly and efficiently to support organizational priorities and maximize available resources?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

08

How would you rate your ability to model ethical behavior, recognize potential conflicts of interest, and act responsibly and with integrity?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

09

How would you rate your ability to build and maintain trust through honest and candid communication while demonstrating compassion, diplomacy, fairness, and professionalism?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

10

How would you rate your ability to communicate organizational goals and strategies in a way that motivates others and connects the agencys mission, vision, and values to everyday work?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

11

How would you rate your ability to establish clear, realistic, and measurable goals, expectations, deadlines, and outcomes while adjusting priorities as circumstances change?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

12

How would you rate your ability to maintain effective communication with agency leadership and build commitment and support for agency priorities and initiatives?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

13

How would you rate your ability to develop respectful and collaborative relationships that foster shared understanding and support, including when decisions or outcomes affect stakeholders differently?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

14

How would you rate your ability to appropriately engage stakeholders in decision-making processes that may impact them?

• a. None: I do not have the ability to perform this task.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited ability to perform this task. I can complete limited or basic aspects of the work with close guidance and would need additional support to perform more complex or unfamiliar assignments successfully.
• c. Able and Capable: I have the ability to successfully perform this task in a variety of routine and moderately complex work situations with minimal guidance.
• d. Advanced Ability: I have a high level of ability and can successfully perform this task in routine, complex, or unfamiliar situations. I can adapt my approach to address challenging circumstances, solve difficult problems, and serve as a resource to others when needed.

15

How would you describe your experience applying Washington State procurement and contracting policies, procedures, and requirements?

• a. No Experience: I have little to no experience performing this work and have not applied it as part of my job responsibilities.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited exposure to this work and may have performed related tasks occasionally or as part of a broader role but have not developed substantial hands-on experience.
• c. Experienced: I have substantial, hands-on experience performing the work as a regular part of my job responsibilities and I have developed the practical knowledge and skills needed to apply them effectively in a variety of work situations.
• d. Advanced Experience: I have extensive experience leading, directing, improving, or providing strategic oversight for this work, including influencing decisions, mentoring others, or guiding complex or high-impact initiatives, as appropriate to the position.

16

How would you describe your experience supporting government-to-government relationships with Tribal Governments?

• a. No Experience: I have little to no experience performing this work and have not applied it as part of my job responsibilities.
• b. Basic Familiarity: I have limited exposure to this work and may have performed related tasks occasionally or as part of a broader role but have not developed substantial hands-on experience.
• c. Experienced: I have substantial, hands-on experience performing the work as a regular part of my job responsibilities and I have developed the practical knowledge and skills needed to apply them effectively in a variety of work situations.
• d. Advanced Experience: I have extensive experience leading, directing, improving, or providing strategic oversight for this work, including influencing decisions, mentoring others, or guiding complex or high-impact initiatives, as appropriate to the position.

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov