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State of Washington · 1 month ago

DSHS Assistant Secretary of Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration

Walla Walla, WA

Part-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

The State of Washington is seeking an Assistant Secretary for the Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration, a role that oversees one of the state's largest systems for behavioral health. The Assistant Secretary will provide leadership and operational discipline to ensure care and safety across various facilities, while also managing crisis situations and fostering a culture of trust and accountability.

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Responsibilities

Ensure BHHA’s 24/7 facilities are prepared to manage high-stakes incidents and safety concerns with consistency and confidence

Build a respectful, accountable culture by addressing workplace concerns directly, strengthening engagement, and increasing leadership visibility

Break down silos and foster alignment between headquarters and field operations

Represent BHHA with clarity and confidence in legislative, external, and senior-level forums

Provide timely, solution-focused briefings to the Secretary and DSHS leadership on emerging priorities, risks, and opportunities

Qualification

Crisis ManagementExecutive LeadershipStrategic CommunicationOrganizational ChangePolitical AcumenOperational StewardshipCollaborationCultural LeadershipTrust BuildingDecision Making

Required

A bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Social Services, Health and Human Services, or related fields is preferred but not required

Calm and decisive in crisis, with the judgment to act quickly and the composure to inspire confidence

Inclusive and unifying, able to bridge divides and bring diverse voices into shared purpose

Strategic and forward-looking, balancing immediate operational demands with long-term system transformation

Authentic and transparent, modeling accountability and trust in every interaction

Ensure BHHA's 24/7 facilities are prepared to manage high-stakes incidents and safety concerns with consistency and confidence

Build a respectful, accountable culture by addressing workplace concerns directly, strengthening engagement, and increasing leadership visibility

Break down silos and foster alignment between headquarters and field operations

Represent BHHA with clarity and confidence in legislative, external, and senior-level forums

Work in close partnership with communications teams, agency leaders, and external partners to align messaging, elevate BHHA's external presence, and project a strong, consistent voice

Provide timely, solution-focused briefings to the Secretary and DSHS leadership on emerging priorities, risks, and opportunities

Executive Leadership in Complex Systems

Crisis Management and Decision Making

Organizational Change and Culture Building

Strategic Communication and Influence

Political and Stakeholder Acumen

Collaboration and Partnership

Operational and Financial Stewardship

Benefits

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.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.

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.

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.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems.

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.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month.

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).

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.