Contracts Administrator I/II/III/Sr. - Behavioral Health

County of Ventura; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational incentive

Bilingual incentive

Merit increases

Deferred compensation

Health plans

Flexible spending accounts

Pension plan

Holiday

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

County of Ventura’s Health Care Agency - Behavioral Health seeks a seasoned professional to plan, organize, and coordinate contracts, memorandums of agreement, grants, and board letters within the Provider Network Management Team.

The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, experience with large agencies, and a track record in contract negotiations, budget administration, and grant management. In-office roles include ongoing collaboration with county departments.

Qualifications

• Experience with contract-based fiscal and operational management.
• Able to handle large workloads under tight timelines.
• Proficient in contract negotiation, grant administration and budget monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Manage contracts and grants for the Behavioral Health Department.
• Monitor contract performance and outcomes.
• Prepare budgets and assist with annual contract budget development.
• Prepare board letters and manage RFP processes.
• Coordinate procurement terms with legal counsel.

Skills

Analytical

Negotiation

Budgeting

Grant management

Policy development

Tools

RFP development

Job description

The Department

As a vital department of Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA), Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) provides comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment services tailored to meet the needs of our community. From mobile crisis response to outpatient treatment, our array of programs ensures individuals receive the support they need at every stage of their journey.

The Position

Under general direction, plans, organizes and coordinates contracts, memorandums of agreement, grants, and board letters as part of the Behavioral Health Department Provider Network Management Team.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be analytical, able to handle a large workload under tight timelines, a skilled negotiator, and will demonstrate creativity and resourcefulness in identifying opportunities for value and cost savings. Further, the ideal candidate will have extensive experience working in a large agency where they managed contract based fiscal and operational management related issues such as contract negotiation, contract/grant/report writing, budget administration, contract and grant administration, contractor performance monitoring, customer service support, board letter development and management, and request for proposal (RFP) development and management.

What We Offer

• Educational Incentive: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree that is not required for the classification.
• Bilingual Incentive: Some positions may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending on the applicable memorandum of agreement and the needs of the department. In order to qualify for this incentive, incumbents in eligible positions must take and pass the applicable bilingual fluency exam with a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher. Proficiency levels by exam are $0.69/hour (Level I), $1.00/hour (Level II), or $1.32/hour (Level III).
• Merit Increases: New employees serving their initial County service probationary period in a Professional classification are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase upon completion of at least 2,080 hours (approximately 1 year) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(K) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. If you participate in the County sponsored 401(K) plan, the County will match a part of your contribution up to 3% of your salary, on a per pay period basis.
• Health Plans: You are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical plan under the County’s Flexible Benefits Program. County now pays 100% of dental, and vision premiums.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care expenses.
• Pension Plan: Participate in the County's defined benefit pension plan that provides lifetime payments to retirees. Members are "vested" after attaining five years of retirement service credit. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
• Holiday: 13 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits: Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.
• To learn more about the benefits, please follow the link below: https://hr.venturacounty.gov/policies-memorandum#docaccess-c09d9aba007193c8a37b4e502c426f3e

Payroll Title

Program Administrator I/II/III/Senior

Approximate Salaries

Program Administrator I $2,868.05 - $4,015.67 Biweekly
Program Administrator II $3,212.48 - $4,497.91 Biweekly
Program Administrator III $3,363.23 - $4,708.99 Biweekly
Sr. Program Administrator $3,779.83 - $5,292.28 Biweekly

Department/Agency

Health Care Agency - Behavioral Health

Program Administrator I, II, III and Senior are Management classifications and are not eligible for overtime compensation. Incumbents in these classifications are eligible for benefits at the MB4 level, with the Senior classification eligible at the MB3 level.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies for these positions only. The current vacancies include two (2) Regular positions and one (1) Temporary position. All positions are in-office.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbents may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

Opening Date

9/17/2026

Closing Date

9/23/2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Examples of Duties

• Manages the execution and administration of a wide variety of contracts and grants for the Behavioral Health Department;
• Monitors contract outcomes and outputs to ensure that the contractor is performing in accordance with contract terms and expectations;
• Conducts contract budget projections and assists with annual contract budget development process;
• Completes grant administration for the department and oversees all associated grant management functions;
• Researches, analyzes, and prepares reports, correspondence, presentations, and recommendations regarding contract and grant issues, operational improvements, and corrective actions for management and policy makers;
• Prepares board letters for presentation to the Board of Supervisors and manages the associated workflow through final approval and execution of agreements or Board items;
• Develops, reviews and revises policies and procedures related to contracts and grants; identifies opportunities to improve processes, operational efficiency, cost effectiveness, and contract terms; and makes recommendations for changes;
• Consults with County administrators and legal counsel regarding the interpretation of laws and regulations related to procurement and/or contract terms and conditions;
• Develops request for proposal (RFP) solicitation documents and manages Request for Proposal (RFP) processes for the Behavioral Health department;
• Serves as a liaison to contractors and County agencies, providing technical support and customer service and coordinating the execution of contracts and purchase