DSHS BHHA Workforce Development and Outreach Manager
Salary
$80,936.00 - $114,701.00 Annually
Location
Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type
Agency Internal - Permanent
Remote Employment
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number
2026-05089
Department
Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division
BHA
Opening Date
07/01/2026
Closing Date
7/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
For Internal agency employees only
Are you interested in making a significant impact on Washingtons mental health system? Join the Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration (BHHA) Office of Forensic Mental Health Services (OFMHS) as a Workforce Development and Outreach Manager.
In this role, your main responsibility will be to support the development of the states Behavioral Health Workforce. This includes collaborating with other organizational workforce development staff and agencies, increasing recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts to attract individuals committed to a career in public service. Your role as a Workforce Development and Outreach Manager will be exciting and meaningful. This involves collaborating with community-based organizations and their passionate workforce development teams to identify strengths and areas needing improvement in the mental health landscape. By doing so, youll better understand the workforces needs and work towards transformative changes.
In this role, youll actively collaborate with state educational institutions, state and community partners, career seekers, and jails to identify strategies dedicated to creating a top-notch mental health workforce. Youll be part of a team that focuses on educating and training people to create, sustain, and retain a capable workforce that meets current and future service needs.
If youre passionate about driving change, making a lasting impact, and creating a brighter future for mental health services in Washington, this position is the perfect adventure for you!
This position primarily allows telework, but there will be in-person team meetings in the Olympia area. Statewide travel to attend career fairs, training and in-person events is required.
Some of what you will do
Collaborate with, organizational workforce development staff to accomplish the following:
Manage outreach to external partners to recruit and retain the forensic mental health workforce which includes developing outreach and engagement material, surveys and managing event participation.
Conduct training needs surveys and analysis.
Assist in identifying statewide staffing needs for the forensic workforce
Manage content on the Workforce development external website
Develop and coordinate trainings including standardized training manuals and guidelines and conduct training program evaluations
Provide in-person training and New Employee Orientation
Develop training with Storyline 360/Articulate software
Conduct retention interviews and surveys
Develop and manage organizational development programs for staff
Coordinate and participate in workforce development workgroups with stakeholders such as state hospitals, community healthcare organizations, law enforcement, and jails.
Who should apply
Professionals with a master's degree in psychology, behavioral health, public administration or a closely related field, with six years of paid professional experience in psychology, behavioral health, public administration or a closely related field or equivalent experience.
Demonstrated five years' experience researching, writing, and editing text with high visibility, such as reports articles training manuals and guidebooks
Demonstrated five years' experience proven ability to work effectively with external partners and working under and complying with strict legal requirements (such as a lawsuit or settlement) with high discretion.
Demonstrated five years' experience with workforce training programs, eLearning and facilitating training both virtually and in person
Demonstrated two years' experience creating content for on-line trainings with software such as Storyline 360/Articulate
Preferred/desired education, experience, and competencies:
This job is classified as a WMS2.
Interested? Please list 3 professional references' contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.
Questions? Please contact reema.goyal@dshs.wa.gov and reference 05089. To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov.
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.
Supplemental Information
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 drivers 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.
E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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
Employer State of Washington
Address View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Website http://www.careers.wa.gov