Emergency Systems Program Specialist - Behavioral Health

State-of-Nebraska; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 51,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Reimbursement

13 Paid Holidays

Generous Leave Accruals and Benefits

Flexible Schedules

Job summary

State of Nebraska, Health & Human Services – Behavioral Health Division, seeks an Emergency Systems Program Specialist to advance statewide emergency behavioral health services, support crisis response, and oversee grant contracts. Responsibilities include outreach, budget input, and coordinating transitions between inpatient care and community providers.

The role emphasizes collaboration, compliance, and leadership in disaster response efforts across RBHAs and tribal partners.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of behavioral health emergency services and crisis response systems.
• Experience with contract management, budgeting, and audits.
• Ability to interpret policy clarifications and present to groups.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach and program support for statewide emergency behavioral health services.
• Create avenues for emergency access to crisis services and helplines.
• Evaluate emergency system response along a care continuum.
• Provide input on budgets and monitor service utilization.
• Direct disaster response efforts and manage grant contracts.
• Coordinate transitions between inpatient care and community providers.

Skills

Policy clarification

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Critical thinking

Contract management

Billing auditing

Crisis response

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The work we do matters!Hiring Agency:Health & Human Services - Agency 25Location:Lincoln, NEHiring Rate:$24.862Job Posting:JR2026-00029380 Emergency Systems Program Specialist - Behavioral Health (Open)Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):09-26-2026Job Description:The DHHS Behavioral Health Division is looking for a compassionate and dedicated individual to join our team as an Emergency Systems Program Specialist in the behavioral health field. In this role, you'll serve as a vital resource and consultant, providing technical assistance and expert advice to agency staff, Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs), service providers, and tribal partners.The Behavioral Health Emergency Systems Program Specialist supports the Administrator in developing statewide community-based mental health and substance use emergency services.This role involves collaborating with professionals to implement and monitor programs, evaluate community needs, and improve accessibility to emergency systems.Responsibilities include overseeing the utilization of services, supporting new initiatives like 988 and BH Crisis Response, coordinating transitions between care levels, and leading behavioral health disaster response while managing federal grants.We seek organized candidates with exceptional customer service skills, who are committed to enhancing the well-being of our fellow Nebraskans through effective behavioral health servicesWhat we can offer you:• Stable Employment Opportunity• Career Development and Learning• Tuition Reimbursement• 156% match on first 4.8% contribution to Retirement Plan• 13 Paid Holidays• Generous Leave Accruals and Benefits• Opportunity to be part of a caring organization• Flexible SchedulesThe Emergency Systems Program Specialist will :Conduct outreach and program support for statewide community-based mental health and substance use emergency system.Create avenues for emergency access to services including crisis response services and help lines.Evaluate and monitor emergency system response along a continuum of services.Provide input on budgets.Monitor consumer experiences and flow into and through the emergency system.Monitor utilization and capacity of crisis and hospital-based services including emergency protective custody.Direct behavioral health disaster response efforts including grant application and contracting.Coordinate transitions between inpatient psychiatric care, including Regional Centers, and subsequent discharges to community providers.Contract management of both state and federally funded emergency services to include billing and invoice processing.Outreach and coordination with behavioral health service providers including emergency services and emergency system coordinators.Excellent documentation and organizational skills are a must for this position.Other duties as assigned.Requirements/QualificationsMinimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree, OR equivalent coursework/training, in public administration, social/behavioral sciences, healthcare, human services or other program related field. Professional experience working in a human/social service or health care agency with responsibility for planning or evaluation services, programs or operational policies and practices may substitute in lieu of the educational requirement.Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree with 3 to 5 years of demonstrated contract management experience will be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.One or more years of experience in Human Social Service, Behavioral Health Services, Public Health, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, or similar, including budget and audit experience a plus.Knowledge of, or interest in, Nebraska's public behavioral health services network a plus.Knowledge of NAC 206, Regional Behavioral Health Authorities, and/or SAMHSA block grants a plus.Demonstrated Behavioral Health experience is preferred.Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:Knowledge of:Knowledge of behavioral health emergency services and crisis response systems in Nebraska.Knowledge of disaster management and recovery principles and practices. Methods and techniques of disseminating information and soliciting public support.Experience in contract management or monitoring vendor performance.Experience in billing, invoicing, and auditing.Skills:Interpreting and communicating policy clarifications to interested groups and analyzing program trends, conducting formal presentations to provide education and share information.Abilities:Develop, organize and direct a major program.Work collaboratively in a team setting.Establish and maintain positive relationships with agency staff, service providers/contractors, community organizations and clients.Communicate electronically, on paper or in person to promote, explain, discuss, advise and interact with interested groups on various program issues.Exercise independent critical thinking skills.If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/BenefitsWe offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefitsEqual Opportunity StatementThe State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.