Diversion and Reentry Services Program Specialist (PPMII)

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules and telecommuting

Wellness programs

12 paid holidays

Job summary

King County's Behavioral Health and Recovery Division seeks a Diversion and Reentry Services Program Specialist to manage centralized PACT Utilization Management and support system-wide care coordination for DRS programs in King County. The role emphasizes ACT, trauma-informed, and equity-centered practices while collaborating across partners in a hybrid work environment with a Seattle onsite location.

Responsibilities include UM duties, data reporting, technical assistance to agencies, and

Qualifications

• Must hold a current MHP licensure or equivalent non-restricted Washington state behavioral health license.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ACT and related evidence-based practices.
• Experience with involuntary civil commitment and direct outpatient behavioral health services.

Responsibilities

• Conduct centralized PACT Utilization Management (UM) for a county-wide network, including referrals, eligibility determinations, and authorization tracking.
• Participate in UM and quality management activities to ensure timely access to care and continuous improvement.
• Provide program technical and operational support (budget tracking, invoicing, contract monitoring).
• Offer technical assistance with recovery-oriented, person-centered care to agencies implementing PACT services.
• Coordinate system-level resource and care discussions with healthcare, criminal legal, and social service partners.

Skills

MHP licensure

ACT knowledge

Utilization management

Equity and social justice

Communications

MS Office proficiency

Education

Mental Health Professional license (MHP) or WA DOH license

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) of DCHS is looking for a Diversion and Reentry Services Program Specialist

To help perform utilization management (UM) duties for the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) and participate in administrative operations and program development activities for PACT and other Diversion and Reentry Services (DRS) behavioral health programs. This position will hold direct responsibility for conducting centralized PACT UM functions for a County-wide network of PACT providers, performing system-level resource and care coordination for participants in DRS programs, and providing technical assistance and monitoring of agencies providing PACT and other behavioral health services in King County.

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 the week of November 2, 2026.

WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS

This position is scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. This position meets the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible with supervisory pre-approval. This position is not represented by a union.

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 the 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.

RECRUITER

Eugene Sanchez, [e-mail]

Job Duties

• Conduct centralized PACT Utilization Management (UM) functions for a County-wide network of PACT providers and funders, consistent with BHRD UM policies, NCQA standards, and MCO and HCA/BH-ASO contractual requirements. Specifically, receive and process referrals/requests for service, evaluate these for eligibility criteria established by Washington State Health Care Authority, make authorization determinations and notifications, distribute referrals to teams, and track continuing stay requests and authorization exits.
• Participate in utilization management and quality management activities within BHRD and for the PACT network, assure that identified participants have timely and equitable access to care, and engage in continuous improvement of quality behavioral health services.
• Provide program technical and operational support (ex. budget tracking, invoice processing, contract monitoring) for the Program for Assertive Community Treatment.
• Provide technical assistance from recovery-oriented, person-centered care perspectives to service agencies implementing and providing PACT services in King County.
• Participate in system-level resource and care coordination for participants in DRS behavioral health programs with healthcare, criminal legal, and social service system partners, including assistance with navigating healthcare and housing resources.
• Participate in on-site and desktop review teams in both clinical and administrative compliance reviews of BHRD contracted agencies who provide diversion and reentry programs and services, including PACT.
• Assist in compiling and presenting data about program performance and outcome measures for multiple audiences including funders, system partners, and the PACT Stakeholder Advisory Group.
• Function as a subject matter resource on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and other evidence-based practices to include Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment, and Harm Reduction.
• Participate in King County Equity and Social Justice initiatives at the County, department and division levels and demonstrate expertise in infusing ESJ into all aspects of Diversion and Reentry Services.
• Participate in development and implementation of programs from an equity and social justice, trauma-informed, person-centered, and harm reduction orientation for individuals who are involved in the local criminal legal system and/or local and state psychiatric hospital systems and who are likely to be experiencing homelessness.
• Demonstrate high-level professional communication skills, both written and verbal, in working across disparate systems and communities.
• Collaborate and build consensus amongst diverse partners and community members in order to promote systems change in alignment with the King County Equity and Social Justice Initiative and Strategic Plan and the BHRD DRS vision and mission.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Mental Health Professional (MHP) as defined by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-341-0200, and Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 71.05.020 and/or Substance Use Disorder Professional as defined by WAC 246-811-010 and RCW 18.205. Professional licensure must be non-restricted and active at time of offer. Alternatively, possess any current non-restricted Washington State Department of Health behavioral health license.
• At least 3 years of recent work experience in and knowledge of the behavioral health treatment system and/or equivalent education and relevant experience. Demonstrated knowledge of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) service delivery model and related evidence-based practices.
• Knowledge and experience with involuntary civil commitment and direct outpatient behavioral health services.
• Demonstrated, sophisticated clinical knowledge of psychiatric diagnostics and behavioral health treatment best practices for populations with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Deep knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices, and understanding of the effects of place, race and policy & systems-based inequities on marginalized communities and populations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated professional level organizational skills, writing skills and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook email, and web-based applications.

Desired Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and overseeing evidence-based and promising practice programs serving individuals involved in the criminal legal system and psychiatric hospital system.
• Direct experience working in the behavioral health system, specifically a publicly funded behavioral health organization in King County or the State of Washington.
• Experience performing utilization management (UM) duties for healthcare programs.
• Experience in clinical program development of services for individuals with serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and/or complex health conditions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Washington State laws and administrative codes related to the mental health system and individuals served by the mental health system, such as RCWs 71.05 and 10.77.
• Experience in budget monitoring and management at program and/or fund source levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage internal and public-facing communications, including providing high-quality customer service and coordination with partner systems.
• Experience with negotiating terms of contracts or similar formal agreements, or assisting in the development of Requests for Proposals.
• Knowledge and expertise in navigating homelessness housing systems and Coordinated Entry.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and collaborate with criminal legal system agencies including law enforcement, courts/specialty courts, jails, jail medical and behavioral health providers, Washington State Department of Corrections, attorneys, probation officers, and social workers aligned with public defender agencies.

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.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page. This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.