BH-ASO Project Program Manager (PPM III)

B Townblog; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) seeks a Behavioral Health & Administrative Services Organization (BH-ASO) Project/Program Manager to lead cross‑functional crisis service initiatives, support policy development, and ensure audit readiness across operations.

This Special Duty Assignment/Term-Limited Temporary position ends 36 months from start date, with hybrid work (onsite in Seattle) and standard daytime hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, social work, behavioral health, project management, or related field.
• Master’s degree in behavioral health, public health, public administration, or related fields.
• Four years’ experience managing complex projects related to behavioral health, public health, or social services.
• Three years’ experience using project management tools and methodologies.
• Experience in program evaluation, data analysis, and interpreting performance metrics.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including budget analysis and regulatory understanding.
• Experience analyzing local, state or federal legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and oversee crisis service projects, including policies and procedures.
• Drive development and implementation of policies supporting crisis service operations and quality standards.
• Maintain audit readiness with documentation, workflows, and program practices.
• Collaborate with teams to prepare for audits, develop tools, manage timelines, and address findings.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures.
• Monitor progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Lead meetings and workshops on crisis program development and process improvement.
• Support data-driven decisions by preparing reports, dashboards, and presentations for leadership.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder collaboration

Data analysis

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, behavioral health, project management, or related field

Master's degree in behavioral health, public health, public administration, or related fields

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Job description

The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences.

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community. At the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), we believe in working as one team that solves problems; striving to be customer-focused and driving for the best results. We envision a welcoming community that is racially just. We believe the field of human services exists to undo and mitigate unfair structures. We seek to lead the way by working as respectful and responsible stewards for our community.

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) of DCHS is looking for a Behavioral Health & Administrative Services Organization (BH-ASO) Project/Program Manager who will assist the BH-ASO Operations Manager with coordination and oversight of BHASO team’s operational processes and program improvements. This position is a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) or Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position anticipated to end 36 months from the start date.

The BHASO Project/Program Manager is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and evaluation of initiatives that strengthen crisis response programs and ensure high-quality, timely services for individuals experiencing behavioral health or other crisis-related needs. This role provides project management duties as it leads cross-functional projects, coordinates with internal and external partners, supports policy development, and ensures audit readiness across crisis service operations. The BH-ASO Project/Program Manager ensures projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and community needs. This position will report to the BH-ASO Business Operations Manager.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews for this selection process will take place on or around 12/16/2026.

WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS: This is a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) or Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position anticipated to end 36 months from the start date, but subject to change dependent on operational need. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm.

MISSION CRITICAL POSITION STATUS: This position has been designated Non-Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT: DCHS works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is the Chinook Building at 401 Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

• Design, implement, and oversee crisis service projects, including operational policies, procedures, system improvements, program launches, and operational enhancements.
• Drive the development, revision, and implementation of policies and procedures that support crisis service operations, compliance, and quality standards.
• Maintain audit readiness by ensuring documentation, workflows, and program practices consistently meet regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Partner with Quality and other teams to prepare for internal and external audits, develop audit tools, manage audit timelines, respond to findings, and oversee corrective action plans.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures.
• Monitor project progress and performance; identify risks, barriers, and issues; and implement mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and working groups focused on crisis program development, policy refinement, and process improvement.
• Support data-driven decision-making by working with analysts to gather and interpret performance metrics and prepare regular reports, dashboards, and presentations for leadership and stakeholders.
• Assist with providing analysis and strategic guidance on legislative and regulatory developments that may impact behavioral health crisis services and assess their potential implications for program operations.
• Collaborate with crisis providers, first responders, hospitals, and behavioral health providers.
• Oversee crisis services alignment with division initiatives of equity and social justice, recovery-oriented system of care.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, social work, behavioral health, project management, or a related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• A minimum of four years of experience managing complex projects directly related to behavioral health, public health, or social services.
• A minimum of three years of experience using project management tools and applying project management methodologies, including developing detailed project plans, timelines, deliverables, and communication strategies.
• Experience in program evaluation, including interpreting data, assessing performance metrics, identifying gaps, and recommending improvements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including proficiency in budget analysis, policy analysis, and evaluating operational impacts.
• Experience analyzing local, state or federal legislation and knowledge of legislative processes and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work with diverse stakeholders
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures that ensure compliance, quality, and operational effectiveness
• Experience conducting program audits and maintaining audit ready documentation, workflows, and program practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presenting complex issues in accessible ways.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and web-based tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. This includes the ability:
  • Excel: Create and use formulas, charts, graphs, and pivot tables to organize, analyze, and present data.
  • PowerPoint: Develop clear, well-organized, and professional presentations using appropriate layouts, graphics, and visual elements.
  • SharePoint: Upload, save, organize, and manage files; create and maintain document libraries; and collaborate on shared documents.
  • Web-based tools: Navigate online applications, enter and retrieve information, and manage documents and data.

Desired Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Master's degree in behavioral health, public health, public administration, or other related fields
• Experience managing behavioral health projects or programs focused on crisis response.
• Strong understanding of King County’s crisis response system, community partnerships, and service delivery models.
• Experience developing, monitoring, and analyzing program budgets to support operational planning and resource allocation
• Knowledge of research methods, including data gathering, analysis and presentation for program evaluation
• Quantitative skills and skills in applying quantitative and qualitative analytical methods, include skills in applying statistical analysis
• Experience working with populations that have co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.