DSHS Assistant Secretary of Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration

Salary: $146,083.00 - $194,772.00 Annually Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA Job Type: Exempt Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid Job Number: 2025-07622 Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services Division: BHHA Opening Date: 12/19/2025 Description DSHS Assistant Secretary, Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration About the Role Every day, the (BHHA) staff deliver care and safety in Washington's most complex behavioral health and habilitation settings, from state hospitals to secure community facilities. Behind every program are Washingtonians whose recovery, dignity, and well-being depend on us. The Assistant Secretary reports directly to the Secretary of DSHS and leads one of the state's largest 24/7 systems, overseeing state hospitals, forensic services, secure commitment facilities, and habilitation programs. Because these facilities operate around the clock, the Assistant Secretary carries on-call responsibility, providing visible, decisive leadership whenever critical issues arise. With nearly 8,000 staff and a biennial budget of $2.7 billion, the Assistant Secretary must bring both operational discipline and cultural leadership to ensure stability, accountability, and trust across the system. What Success Looks Like • Clear crisis management protocols are in place and consistently applied. • Visible cultural progress is underway, with staff reporting stronger trust and accountability. • Headquarters and field operations are aligned, with silos broken down and communication strengthened. • The Secretary and leadership team count on this role as a trusted advisor, someone who brings solutions forward and anticipates risks and opportunities. • BHHA's leadership is recognized by labor, tribal, and community leaders as credible, transparent, and collaborative. The Type of Leadership DSHS Needs • 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. Key Priorities • Strengthen Operational Stability and Crisis Readiness- Ensure BHHA's 24/7 facilities are prepared to manage high-stakes incidents and safety concerns with consistency and confidence. This role carries on-call responsibility, requiring sound judgment and visible leadership at all hours. • Lead Cultural Renewal- Build a respectful, accountable culture by addressing workplace concerns directly, strengthening engagement, and increasing leadership visibility. Model the values of trust, inclusion, and transparency to unify a large, mission-driven workforce. • Reconnect Headquarters and Field- Break down silos and foster alignment between headquarters and field operations. Strengthen communication, build shared goals, and create a sense of unity across diverse service areas. • Build Executive Presence and Strategic Influence- 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. Competencies and Leadership Capabilities • 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 Education: 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. Why Apply for This Role This is more than an executive role, it's a chance to shape statewide policy, influence national conversations and represent BHHA with clarity and confidence before legislators, tribal partners, and community leaders. At this defining moment, your leadership will not only stabilize crisis-prone systems but also elevate BHHA's voice and rebuild a culture rooted in respect and resilience. This is your opportunity to leave a legacy, strengthening systems and transforming lives across Washington State. Application Process Applications submitted by January 11, 2026, will receive priority review. Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Please email a resume and cover letter to , outlining your relevant experience and qualifications. To learn more about DSHS and the Assistant Secretary role, please review the 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 driver's 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. 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. That's 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 (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 (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 , 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 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 Apply tot his job Apply To this Job