Mental Health Program Chief

Mental Health Program Chief

Salary: $147,356.24 - $179,112.48 Annually Location: Martinez, CA Job Type: Permanent Full-Time Job Number: VQDN-2026A Department: Health Services - Only Opening Date: 03/18/2026 Closing Date: 3/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific FLSA: Exempt Bargaining Unit: ZA

Description

BenefitsQuestions

The Position

Why Join Contra Costa Health?

Mental health is a critical part of overall wellness. With the continuing rise of mental health issues across America, Contra Costa County is looking for standout individuals who are ready to serve our community and be a part of the solution. Make a lasting difference in Mental Health Care.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Mental Health Program Chief to lead and innovate behavioral health services within our Detention Facilities.

Detention Mental Health focuses on offering targeted mental health services for justice-involved adults within the countys detention facilities and collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to delivering essential care to one of our communitys most vulnerable populations.

Contra Costa Health is the largest county department in Contra Costa County with over 4,700 employees. Our mission is to care for and improve the health of all people in Contra Costa with special attention to those who are most vulnerable to health problems. We provide services through nine operational areas: Behavioral Health, Contra Costa Health Plan, Emergency Medical Services, Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials, Health, Housing & Homeless Services, Public Health, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center & Health Centers and Detention Health.

Detention Health is comprised of three (3) adult Detention facilities and one juvenile Detention facility with a multidisciplinary team. Working with your mental health staff, will be able to focus on providing full spectrum mental health programming, care and education to our vulnerable and clinically complex patients in a challenging environment and experience positive work-life balance.

This is more than just a leadership role - its a chance to transform lives, influence systems, and advance mental health equity within.

The Detention Mental Health Program Chief will be centrally located in downtown Martinez, CA.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A collaborator. You will use your strong relational and communication skills to build relationships with individuals within and outside your division.
• Respectful and understands diversity. You will be working with a culturally and linguistically diverse population.
• Action-oriented and results-focused. You will need to take initiative and ensure tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• A strong communicator. You will be in constant communication (verbally and in writing) with staff and community providers.
• Organized and excellent in forecasting and planning. You will encounter pressing demands from multiple sources and will need to balance them.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Providing oversight of programs, budget allocation and planning, and policies and procedures.
• Evaluating programs and reviewing performance outcomes to ensure that delivery of services is effective.
• Monitoring all program activities to ensure programs are in compliance with Federal and State regulations.
• Working with programs to ensure that data required by the State is collected and submitted in a timely manner.
• Interviewing, hiring, and evaluating subordinate staff.

A few reasons why you might love this job:

• Your leadership will be used to improve the lives of the diverse, marginalized community that we serve.
• You will be part of a division that has several programs that help our clients learn to manage their lives and mental health conditions more effectively and improve their quality of life.
• You will spend your day with a team that is dedicated, passionate and, most importantly, focused on Contra Costa Countys common mission and goals to serve our community.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will encounter unpredictable daily workflow and work assignments.
• You will have to problem-solve as issues arise and prioritize our scarce resources.

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishments
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Leading Cross-Divisional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions and teams
• Thinking & Acting Systematically: Formulating objectives and priorities, and implementing plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment

To read the complete job description, please click here.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to 6 months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required:

• Possession of a valid California motor vehicle operators license. Out of state valid motor vehicle operators license will be accepted during the application process; AND
• Possession of one of the following professional licenses:
• either (a) a current valid unrestricted license as a Psychologist issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Psychology; or
• (b) a valid license as a Clinical Social Worker issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences; or
• (c) a valid license as a Marriage and Family Therapist issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Education:

• Possession of a Masters degree from an accredited college or university with major in psychology, social work, counseling or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Four (4) years of full-time post-licensure experience, or its equivalent, providing mental health services to the seriously and persistently mentally ill, two (2) years of which must have included administrative responsibility for mental health programs/services and the supervision of subordinate staff.

Substitution:

• Possession of a Bachelors degree and two (2) years of additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required Masters degree.

Desirable Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience working with Medi-Cal regulations.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: All applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

Virtual Oral Assessment: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online video assessment. The assessment will measure candidates competencies as they relate to the job. In the assessment, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include, but are not limited to: Delivering Results, Professional & Technical Expertise, Displaying Ownership & Accountability, Writing, and Thinking & Acting Systematically (Weighted 100%).

The Virtual Oral Assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) during the week of April 6, 2026.

The Virtual Oral Assessment will be administered remotely using a computer or mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment, as well as a computer or mobile device with a camera.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment questions, please contact Health Services Personnel, Recruitment Team at Exams@cchealth.org. For any technical issues, please contact the Government Jobs applicant support team for assistance at +1-855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

01 The purpose of this supplemental questionnaire is to provide applicants the opportunity to elaborate on their qualifications for the Mental Health Program Chief position and to assist in assessing each applicants individual qualifications. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire will be used to evaluate your relevant experience and training to determine which applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Do not answer any question by indicating "see attached resume".

I Understand

02 Do you possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operators License? Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operators License will be accepted during the application process.

• Yes, and a copy of my license is attached
• No

03 Please select one of the following professional licenses you possess. The license must be current and unrestricted:

• Psychologist issued by the CA Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Psychology
• Clinical Social Worker issued by the CA Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences
• Marriage and Family Therapist issued by the CA Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences
• I do not possess any of the licenses above.

04 Do you possess a masters degree from an accredited college or university?

• Yes, and a copy of my transcripts are attached to my application
• No

05 Please select which area of study your masters degree is in:

• Psychology
• Social Work
• Counseling
• A closely related field
• I do not possess a masters degree.

06 Please select which area of study your bachelors degree is in:

• Psychology
• Social Work
• Counseling
• A closely related field
• I do not possess a bachelors degree.

07 How many years of full-time POST-LICENSURE, or its equivalent, experience do you have providing mental health services to the seriously and persistently mentally ill?

• None or less than one (1) year of experience as described
• At least one (1) year but less than two (2) years of experience as described
• At least two (2) years but less than three (3) years of experience as described
• At least three (3) years but less than four (4) years of experience as described
• At least four (4) years but less than five (5) years of experience as described
• At least five (5) years but less than six (6) years of experience as described
• At least six (6) or more years of experience as described

08 How many years of full-time, or its equivalent, experience do you have handling administrative responsibilities for mental health programs/services and the supervision of subordinate staff?

• None or less than one (1) year of experience as described
• At least one (1) year but less than two (2) years of experience as described
• At least two (2) years but less than three (3) years of experience as described
• At least three (3) years but less than four (4) years of experience as described

09 I certify that I meet the announced minimum requirements for this examination and understand that I will be eliminated at any stage in such examination if it develops that, in fact I do not meet them. I further certify that all statements made in this supplemental questionnaire and the application are true and I agree and understand that misstatements or omissions of material facts will cause forfeiture of my rights to employment with Contra Costa County.

• Yes
• No

Required QuestionEmployer: County of Contra Costa Phone: exams@cchealth.org