Behavioral Health Clinical Director

State of Connecticut; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 131,219 - 178,920; Full time

Job summary

River Valley Services (RVS), part of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), seeks a Behavioral Health Clinical Director to provide clinical and administrative leadership for multiple programs serving adults with complex behavioral health needs.

You will direct clinical operations, supervise professional staff, and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, while advancing trauma-informed, person-centered care through policy development and quality

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a clinical discipline or related admin field.
• Six years of professional behavioral health experience.
• Managerial or supervisory experience directing clinical operations or staff.
• State employee equivalency to Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor/Program Manager.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and administrative leadership for multiple behavioral health programs.
• Oversee high-quality, recovery-oriented services for adults with serious mental health and substance use disorders.
• Direct clinical operations, supervise professional behavioral health staff, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement program goals, strategic plans, policies, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support public health and safety functions, including risk management and crisis response processes.
• Foster collaboration across DMHAS divisions, community partners, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure services are delivered with dignity, respect, and trauma-informed, person-centered care.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Clinical supervision

Trauma-informed care

Education

Master's degree in clinical discipline

Job description

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a Behavioral Health Clinical Director to join River Valley Services (RVS). In this key leadership role, you will provide clinical and administrative oversight for multiple programs serving adults with complex behavioral health needs - ensuring safe, effective, and recovery-driven care that promotes wellness, dignity, and community stability.

HIGHLIGHTS

• DIVISION:River Valley Services (RVS)
• LOCATION:Executive Leadership Office, 351 Silver Street, Middletown, CT
• SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• POSITION NUMBER: 130410

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Comprehensive benefits - visit the State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn more
• Opportunities for leadership development, professional growth, and continued learning
• A supportive environment that values collaboration, compassion, and work/life balance

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL

• Provide clinical and administrative leadership for multiple behavioral health programs
• Oversee the delivery of high?quality, recovery?oriented services for individuals with serious and complex mental health and substance use disorders
• Direct clinical operations, supervise professional behavioral health staff, and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations
• Develop and implement program goals, strategic plans, policies, and quality improvement initiatives
• Support public health and safety functions, including oversight of risk management and crisis response processes
• Foster collaboration across DMHAS divisions, community partners, and multidisciplinary teams
• Ensure services are delivered with dignity, respect, and a commitment to trauma?informed, person?centered care

ABOUT US

DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

RVSis a community mental health center serving towns across Middlesex County. We provide high-quality crisis intervention, case management, residential, and clinical services to adults with serious mental health conditions who may not have access to private care. Our programs include short-term residential respite, community support, mobile crisis response, jail diversion, and other essential services that promote recovery and independence.

$131,219 - $178,920*/year *Salary effective 6/26/26 (New state employees start at minimum)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree in a clinical discipline, public health administration, health care administration or hospital administration and six (6) years of professional experience in behavioral health care.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial or supervisory capacity directing clinical operations or the delivery of behavioral health care services including the supervision of professional behavioral health care staff.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor or Behavioral Health Program Manager.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience overseeing or working with acute behavioral health services, including programs such as Mobile Crisis or Mobile Response Teams.
• Experience in implementing evidence-based treatment models for individuals with complex trauma and co-occurring behavioral health conditions.
• Experience working with Joint Commission accreditation standards, including supporting or managing compliance, survey preparation, and continuous quality improvement processes.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must maintain the appropriate current license for clinical social work, marital and family therapist, professional counselor, registered nurse, psychologist, alcohol and drug counselor or hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.