Job Details

Justice Services Manager

The County of Santa Barbara's Behavioral Wellness Department is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Justice Services Manager position. This leadership position manages countywide behavioral health programs serving justice-involved individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions. The countywide classification is Health Services Manager II. This position is "At-Will" and is exempt from Civil Service provisions.

Under the direction of the Branch Chief of Specialty Programs, the Justice Services Manager oversees prevention, intervention, diversion, treatment, and recovery-oriented programs designed to reduce criminal justice involvement and improve access to behavioral health services. Responsibilities include program planning and evaluation, staff supervision, contract and grant oversight, regulatory compliance, strategic collaboration, and coordination with internal and external partners.

The Justice Services Manager works closely with courts, law enforcement agencies, correctional health providers, community-based organizations, and other County departments to support coordinated care and positive outcomes for vulnerable populations. This position serves as a member of the Behavioral Wellness management team and exercises independent judgment in establishing program priorities and operational strategies.

May be based in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria. However, this position has countywide responsibility and requires routine travel to offices and partner agencies.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Extensive knowledge of legal system and behavioral health
• Proven track record of working with adults and youth with justice involvement
• History building strong partnerships with courts, judges and law enforcement
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams
• Background of testifying in court
• Knowledge of court room proceedings and the role of mental health professionals in the justice system
• Strong skills in collecting and analyzing data
• Ability to inspire, coach, develop, and empower staff
• Experience leading change initiatives
• Familiarity with the statewide inpatient system
• Ability to respond effectively in adversarial proceedings
• Familiarity with the Behavioral Health Services Act principles, funding, and reporting requirements
• Experience leading a Full-Service Partnership program
• Proficiency in leading and partnering to solve complex, systemic programs
• Solid public speaking skills

About the Department:

Founded in 1962, it is the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellness to promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services. The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers. The Department's decisions and service delivery are guided by the following values:

• Quality services for persons of all ages with mental illness and/or substance abuse
• Integrity in individual and organizational actions
• Dignity, respect, and compassion for all persons
• Active involvement of clients and families in treatment, recovery, and policy development
• Diversity throughout our organization and cultural competency in service delivery
• A system of care and recovery that is clearly defined and promotes recovery and resiliency
• Emphasis on prevention and treatment
• Teamwork among department employees in an atmosphere that is respectful and creative
• Continuous quality improvement in service delivery and administration
• Wellness modeled for our clients at all levels; i.e., staff who regularly arrive at the workplace healthy, energetic and resilient
• Safety for everyone

Lead and oversee countywide justice services behavioral health programs supporting justice-involved individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions.

Direct prevention, diversion, treatment, recovery, and reentry services delivered through County staff and contracted providers, ensuring high-quality, coordinated, and equitable service delivery across Santa Barbara County.

Build and strengthen collaborative partnerships with courts, law enforcement agencies, correctional health providers, hospitals, community organizations, and other County departments to improve system coordination and client outcomes.

Develop and implement innovative programs and service strategies that reduce criminal justice involvement, address unmet community needs, and expand access to behavioral health care and supportive services.

Lead cross-agency initiatives focused on complex system challenges, including competency restoration, conservatorships, reentry planning, state hospital transitions, and services for incarcerated youth and adults.

Establish policies, procedures, performance standards, and operational practices that ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, contractual obligations, and evidence-based behavioral health practices.

Monitor program performance, outcomes, budgets, contracts, and funding streams; prepare reports, proposals, and other documentation related to grants, strategic planning, and regulatory requirements.

Supervise, mentor, and support multidisciplinary professional, clinical, technical, and administrative staff; foster a collaborative and mission-driven work environment focused on accountability, innovation, and service excellence.

Use data, outcome measures, and continuous quality improvement practices to evaluate program effectiveness, identify system gaps, and guide operational and strategic decision-making.

Represent the Department at community meetings, stakeholder groups, interagency workgroups, court-related meetings, and public forums involving high-level partners and decision-makers.

Education and Experience:

• Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in public health administration, public administration, behavioral/mental health, or related field and, five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in managing behavioral health services for justice-involved individuals including at least two (2) years as a supervisor or manager.
• A valid California license in any of the following: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatrist.

Note on Out-of-State Licensure: Applicants must possess valid California licensure in their profession at the time of application.

For specific positions, possession and maintenance of a valid California driver's license and the ability to meet automobile insurability requirements of the County or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as a condition of continued employment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of health care management in a public agency setting including public health, mental health and recovery, correctional health, and medical health including the interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Trends in public, mental, medical, and correctional health, and recovery education, treatment, prevention, and related issues.
• Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Management principles, practices, and techniques.
• Principles and practices of fiscal management and budgeting.
• Principles and practices of program planning and administration.
• Personnel management principles and practices, including employee supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.
• Principles and practices of group facilitation, conflict resolution, and consensus building.
• Principles and practices of procurement and contract administration.
• Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Business systems, equipment, and applications relevant to the area of assignment.
• Social, economic, cultural, and other issues impacting program area.

Ability to:

• Effectively administer public health, mental health and recovery, correctional health, and/or medical health programs and activities.
• Manage assigned operations/programs; ensure ongoing compliance with strategic objectives and performance measures.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Manage and evaluate assigned staff, including training, coaching, participating in the development of goals and strategic objectives, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands, and assigning/monitoring work.
• Analyze and evaluate operational programs, projects, and procedures.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise changes and improvements in public agency projects and studies.
• Manage budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation.
• Interpret, monitor, and report financial information and statistics.
• Oversee the implementation of, and adherence to,