DSHS BHHA Director of Government & Community Affairs

About the Department

The DSHS Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as our Director of Government & Community Affairs. This executive leadership position serves as the administration’s principal advisor on legislative affairs and government relations, leading BHHA’s legislative strategy while building and maintaining strong partnerships with the Governor’s Office, Washington State Legislature, Tribal governments, state agencies, providers, advocates, and community partners.

The  Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) cares for people receiving behavioral health services in state-operated facilities throughout Washington. These facilities provide round-the-clock care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our facilities include inpatient behavioral health care for adults in psychiatric hospitals, behavioral health and treatment centers, and centers for civilly committed sex offenders. We also operate a psychiatric hospital for youth with behavioral health needs. Additionally, the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) manages the state’s adult forensic mental health care programs, providing competency evaluation and restoration services. The Director of Government & Community Affairs plays a vital role in advancing the administration’s mission by shaping legislative priorities, coordinating Administration Request Legislation (ARL), supporting budget development, and ensuring effective communication and collaboration with policymakers throughout the legislative process.

If you are a strategic thinker who thrives on building relationships, navigating complex policy environments, leading high-performing teams, and advancing public policy that improves outcomes for those who interact with the state’s behavioral health system, we invite you to apply.

The Opportunity:

Reporting to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, the Director of Government & Community Affairs provides executive leadership for the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) Office of Government Affairs and serves as the administration’s liaison with the Governor’s Policy Office, members of the Legislature, legislative and committee staff, tribal governments, and key external partners.

The director leads the development, coordination, and execution of the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration's (BHHA) legislative agenda and Agency Request Legislation while partnering closely with executive leaders, including the Budget & Finance Director, to advance budget priorities, decision packages, and fiscal policy initiatives. This position ensures the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) is strategically positioned throughout the legislative process, from policy development and advocacy through implementation and evaluation.

As a member of the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) executive leadership team, the director contributes to administration-wide strategic planning, executive decision-making, and organizational priorities. The director provides leadership and direction to the Government & Community Affairs team, including a legislative analyst and tribal affairs administrator, while representing the administration with legislative committees, stakeholder organizations, community partners, and executive leaders.

Some of what you will do:

• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop legislative analyst and tribal affairs administrator.
• Lead and execute the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) comprehensive legislative strategy and engagement efforts supporting the administration’s mission across behavioral health programs and services.
• Develop, coordinate, and manage the administration's legislative agenda and Agency Request Legislation, ensuring alignment with adult and youth behavioral health treatment and system priorities.
• Advise the Assistant Secretary and Executive Leadership Team on legislative priorities, emerging policy issues, and strategic opportunities impacting the behavioral health system, and the communities BHHA serves.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with legislators, legislative staff, the Governor's Office, Office of Financial Management, Tribal governments, advocacy organizations, providers, and community partners.
• Develop, coordinate and oversee legislative testimony, reports, presentations, and communications with the Legislature on issues affecting behavioral health programs and services, and administration operations.
• Partner with the Budget & Finance Director and other executive leaders to develop and coordinate administration decision packages and budget proposals supporting critical behavioral health system investments.
• Monitor legislation, budget proposals, provisos, and executive actions affecting programs and operations, including impacts to behavioral health, and related prevention and early intervention services.
• Coordinate legislative and policy activities with other state agencies throughout the legislative process.
• Track and ensure timely completion of legislatively directed reports, executive orders, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with Communications staff to develop messaging, webinars, and materials related to legislative priorities and administration initiatives.
• Foster collaboration across administration facilities and programs to ensure legislative priorities align with operational and program needs.
• Negotiate and resolve complex policy, organizational, and cross-administration issues while balancing competing priorities.
• Represent the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) before legislative committees, stakeholder groups, statewide workgroups, tribal governments, and public forums on issues impacting the behavioral health system, and communities.
• Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, contributing to executive leadership and administration-wide strategic planning.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s in political science, behavioral health, public administration, business administration or closely allied field.

And,

• Twelve years of progressively responsible management experience in a legislative environment, agency, or large organization, specifically in strategic policy development, rule development and legislative affairs.

And,

• At least four years of direct legislative and program or policy analysis experience. Experience may run concurrently.

Equivalent education or experience may substitute for the above qualifications. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in political science, behavioral health, public administration, business and administration or closely allied field. 

Completed applications should include:

• A letter of interest with a detailed description of how your experience relates to this opportunity
• A current resume
• A minimum of three professional references

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.

Questions? Contact the recruiter, Chris Pulley at [email protected] and reference the project number 05828 in the subject line.

Other Qualifications

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.


 

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Benefits

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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-58-175, 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
Parental Leave
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

Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov