Behavioral Health Administrator I

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is seeking a Behavioral Health Administrator I to serve as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the Division of Substance Use and Mental Health. The role oversees statewide suicide prevention efforts and leads implementation of prevention, intervention, and postvention principles to improve outcomes for Delawareans.

• Oversee statewide suicide prevention efforts and implement prevention, intervention, and postvention principles.
• Develop and implement the State’s Suicide Prevention Plan.
• Prepare legislative reports and support executive reporting as needed.
• Engage stakeholders to identify gaps, align services, and promote best practices.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret health and program data; review statistical, narrative, analytical, and financial reports.
• Provide public education and support dissemination of urgent behavioral health information; help coordinate communications to improve awareness and access to services.
• Provide oversight, monitoring, and strategic management of behavioral health programs and operational support services (including prevention, treatment, and service programs).
• Ensure quality, consistency, integration, and compliance with regulatory, certification, and accreditation standards.
• Conduct research and evaluation to identify trends and issues (service delivery, performance, utilization, staffing, accessibility, cost, funding) and make projections.
• Recommend improvements and alternative courses of action to strengthen prevention and treatment efforts and improve health outcomes.
• Participate in development and implementation of strategies, policies, and standards for treatment and service systems.
• Monitor fiscal activities for behavioral health programs and contracted providers, including grant expenditures.
• Coordinate public and private behavioral health services to reduce duplication and address community needs.
• Analyze state, federal, and local legislation to determine operational impact.

• Selective requirements:
  • Six months of experience in grant writing.
  • Experience developing, implementing, or evaluating suicide prevention, intervention, or postvention plans, programs, or initiatives.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Public Administration, Public Policy, Behavioral, Social or Health Science, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • One year of program management experience in sectors such as Public Health, Primary Care, Policy, or Data and Evaluation, including making recommendations on operations, programs, budgets, services, policies, or procedures based on findings.
  • Six months of experience in grant management and control, including monitoring and evaluating grant expenditures.
• Knowledge/skills:
  • Contract management and control, including compliance with contract terms and negotiating changes.
  • Staff supervision knowledge gained through coursework/training, lead-worker experience, direct supervision, or supervision through subordinate supervisors.
• Preferred qualification: Experience with legislative and executive reporting.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; employer participates in E-Verify.
• No employment-based sponsorship provided.
• All new hires must report to Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on the first day of employment (held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County).
• Benefits available; refer to the State of Delaware benefits package information.
• Reasonable accommodations available for applicants with disabilities.