Job Summary

Project Term: Through December 31, 2026. Potential for extension or conversion to regular status depends on County Council approval and future funding. (We’re being transparent: it isn’t guaranteed, but we are building a durable program and expect ongoing opportunities as we stand up a licensed behavioral health agency.)


Why this role

You’ll build a legacy program from the ground up. Lead the design, licensing, and launch of a standalone, licensed behavioral health agency inside Jail Services to deliver clinically sound, trauma-informed care. Your work will improve safety and outcomes in a 24/7 secure environment—helping people stabilize, plan for release, and connect to care.
We’re seeking systems builders who can turn policy and accreditation standards into day-to-day operations. If you’ve led complex healthcare implementations or stood up new clinical services, we want to meet you.

Qualifications

What you’ll do

• Architect the agency: policies, clinical protocols, staffing models, budgeting, QA/KPIs, data/reporting, and audit readiness.

• Drive licensure and accreditation (e.g., NCCHC/ACA; state behavioral health).

• Coordinate with custody, jail‑based medical/mental health teams, DCRs, Western State Hospital, and community providers.

• Stand up core clinical services (e.g., MH and suicide risk assessments, treatment planning, therapy, crisis response, release planning).

• Train and onboard interdisciplinary staff; ensure 24/7 operational readiness.

Term & future pathways

This is a project‑funded role currently scheduled to end 12/31/2026. Continuation or conversion requires Council approval and available funding. Exceptional candidates may also be considered for future leadership opportunities as the licensed agency matures (e.g., Clinical Services Management, QA/Compliance, Training, Program Evaluation). Note: no guarantees; shared for transparency and to encourage top‑tier applicants.

Minimum qualifications

• Master’s in social work, counseling, mental health, behavioral sciences (or related), and 1+ year with justice-involved populations; OR

• Bachelor’s in related field and 2+ years with justice-involved populations; OR

• 5+ years directly related professional experience.
  Credentials/transcripts required at hire.

Preferred qualifications

• Clinical behavioral health experience in a correctional setting.

• Licensure/accreditation/regulatory implementation (state BH, NCCHC/ACA, SAMHSA).

• Medicaid billing and correctional MH program funding.

• Strong writing/presentations (grants, stakeholder decks, policy).

What success looks like (6–12 months)

• Licensure roadmap approved; critical policies, workflows, and staffing model in place.

• QA plan, KPIs, and data tools stood up; first internal audit passed.

• In-custody clinical services piloted with documented outcomes and handoffs to community care.

Public Service & Professional Expectations

• Mission-first: Every task advances safe, humane custody and successful reentry. Your work directly affects community safety, public trust, and health outcomes.

• Reliable attendance: Regular and punctual presence is essential to sustain critical services in a 24/7 secure setting; occasional evenings/weekends may be required.

• Adaptability & professionalism: Maintain a calm, courteous, and trauma-informed approach in high-stakes or emotionally charged situations; de-escalate and problem-solve.

• Integrity & confidentiality: Protect protected health information and criminal-justice data (e.g., HIPAA/CJIS) and adhere to County and Jail Services policies.

• Chain of command & accountability: Follow directives, provide timely documentation, and engage constructively in feedback and continuous improvement.

• Other duties as assigned: Perform additional responsibilities consistent with this classification, with the understanding that all work supports the mission of Clark County Jail Services and the Reentry Demonstration Initiative.

Selection process

Apply with: online application, résumé, cover letter, and responses to the supplemental questions. All items must be uploaded together to pass the application review.

First review is anticipated in October 2025.

Supplemental Questions (Pass/Fail): Please answer the following questions in a separate document(s). Applicants who do not submit this material will not pass the application review. Resumes and supplemental questions must be uploaded into Workday at the same time.

• Please describe in one page or less how your combined education, training, and professional experience qualify you for the position of Mental Health Implementation Coordinator.

• Please describe in one page or less your experience developing, implementing, accrediting, and evaluating new programs. Include key performance objectives, milestones, and lessons learned.

• Please describe in one page or less your experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders and the results you produced through these efforts.

• Please describe in one page or less your philosophy about serving people during incarceration.

Each item must be submitted together. Incomplete application submissions will not pass the application review. (The system does not allow for document uploads to be added at separate times).

Qualified candidates proceed to:

• Panel interview

• Comprehensive background (graded)

• Executive interview (for finalists, as needed)

• Conditional offer contingent on background, polygraph, and drug screen

Background standards (read before applying)

Due to the secure setting, a comprehensive background is required (criminal history, affiliations, references, employment history, prior CJ applications, credit, driving record, polygraph, psychological, and medical evaluation). Disqualifiers include—but aren’t limited to: any felony conviction; domestic-violence charges; drug manufacturing/distribution; DUI/reckless/negligent driving within 3 years; illegal drug use within 3 years; dishonorable discharge or failure to register for Selective Service; discharge from a CJ agency related to honesty; gang/extremist affiliation; falsification; failing polygraph/psych/medical/drug screen; and other conduct eroding public trust.
If you are unsure about eligibility, carefully review the disqualifying criteria before applying.

How to apply (and help us widen the pool)

• Submit your full packet in Workday (application, résumé, cover letter, supplemental answers).

• In your cover letter, briefly note major implementations you’ve led (scope, timeline, outcomes).

• If you’d also like to be considered for future related roles in this new agency, add a line: “Please include me in the talent pool for future licensed behavioral health leadership roles.” (This helps us identify bench strength while the agency scales.)

Benefits & work environment

Comprehensive Clark County benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement, PTO). Work is primarily on-site in a secure facility, with standard office tasks and high activity levels; occasional evenings/weekends may be required.

Examples of Duties

Examples of Duties:

• Develop and implement a licensed behavioral health agency within Clark County Jail Services

• Create administrative and operational systems including policies, clinical protocols, staffing models, risk mitigation strategies, and data reporting processes

• Coordinate stakeholder engagement efforts and secure support for program vision

• Lead or support budget development, grant writing, and accreditation submissions

• Serve as agency lead during inspections or audits from licensing/accreditation bodies

• Prepare training content and staff development plans for new and existing clinical personnel

• Coordinate in-custody clinical service delivery, including mental health evaluations, suicide risk assessments, treatment planning, group or individual therapy, crisis response, and discharge coordination

• Lead or co-lead interdisciplinary quality assurance reviews and monitor adherence to best practices

• Represent the agency in community forums, workgroups, and crisis system redesigns

• Embrace and uphold the mission, vision, and values of Clark County Jail Services

• Carries out other duties as assigned, with the understanding that all work contributes to the effective operation and mission of the department

 

Salary Grade

M2.202

Salary Range

$6,910.00 - $9,673.00- per month

Close Date

12/31/2026

Recruiter

Keely Warren

Email:

Keely.Warren@clark.wa.gov

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Employee Benefits and additional compensation

Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation.  Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation.  More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Retirement Information

All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice. 
 

For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/

If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.