Job Posting: Deputy Director for Grant Programs and System Innovation

Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (BHSOAC)

JC-527108
-
Deputy Director for Grant Programs and System Innovation
C. E. A.

$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 8/18/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Chief Deputy of Administration and Performance Management (CEA C), the Deputy Director of Grant Programs and System Innovation provides executive-level leadership for managers and staff to advance the mission of the Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH) in accordance with Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) requirements. This involves overseeing managers and staff responsible for the development, implementation, administration, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the Commission’s innovative behavioral health (i.e., mental health and/or substance use disorder) grants, contracts, and solicitations, supported by approximately $300 million in BHSA funding and more than
150 grants and contracts. Specifically, this position is responsible for the full lifecycle of Commission-funded initiatives, including concept and solicitation development, procurement, contract and grant execution, implementation support, technical assistance, monitoring of performance and deliverables, compliance oversight, risk mitigation, corrective action, and continuous quality improvement. Working in partnership with Commissioners, community stakeholders, individuals with lived experience, family members, caregivers, public agency partners, and other subject matter experts, the Deputy Director leads efforts to identify priority needs and shape project concepts that advance the Commission’s strategic plan, statutory responsibilities, and system improvement goals.
The Deputy Director oversees the translation of project concepts into Requests for Applications (RFAs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and other solicitation mechanisms, and ensures that procurement and award processes are fair, transparent, competitive, and aligned with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The position is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong internal controls to protect procurement integrity, program integrity, and public trust, including appropriate conflict of interest awareness, prevention, and mitigation practices related to grants, contracts, and solicitations. This work requires intentional engagement with racially, culturally, linguistically, geographically, and otherwise diverse communities, including communities historically underserved, underrepresented, or disproportionately impacted by behavioral health inequities. The Deputy Director is expected to lead with a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, cultural humility, and racial equity, and to foster an inclusive and culturally responsive work environment that values diverse perspectives, lived experience, and professional backgrounds.
The Deputy Director advises the Executive Director, the Commission, and the Administration on highly sensitive, politically salient, and complex matters related to BHSA grants, contracts, solicitations, funding priorities, and implementation. This position coordinates closely with other CBH divisions, including the Research and Evaluation Division to support assessment of program outcomes and use of findings to inform program and policy development; Legislative and External Affairs to support legislative activities and communication regarding program accomplishments; and the Administrative and Performance Management Division to ensure procurement integrity, administrative compliance, fiscal integrity, and operational accountability

This position may require occasional travel and work during evenings and/or weekends.

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit M01, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and will receive 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes

BHSOAC Disclosure Requirements
The selected candidate may be subject to rules imposed by a Conflict-of-Interest Code that apply to BHSOAC employees, which may require filling a Statement of Economic Interest (FORM 700)

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-527108
Position #(s):
475-550-7500-001
Working Title:
Deputy Director for Grant Programs and System Innovation
Classification:
C. E. A.
$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

The Commission for Behavioral Health champions wellbeing for all Californians, especially those most in need, through behavioral health prevention and intervention, including mental health, substance use disorders, and trauma-related disorders. By working with the community, experts, and civic partners, we help to increase public understanding, catalyze best practices, and inspire innovation. Our goal: accelerating transformational change in California’s behavioral health system.

Department Website: http://www.mhsoac.ca.gov

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and serves as the examination for this CEA recruitment and must be included with your application. Evaluation of each candidate will be based on the content of the answers and written communication skills demonstrated in the SOQ. The SOQ will be the only basis for your final score and rank on the eligible list. Resumes/cover letters do not take the place of the SOQ. Candidates who fail to follow these requirements or who do not provide responses to the specific SOQ questions outlined below may be disqualified from the examination and selection process.

The Commission values authentic responses. Applicants are strongly discouraged from using Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to draft their responses to the Statement of Qualifications. Proposals heavily reliant on AI-generated content often lack the necessary specificity, context, and concrete detail required for a competitive application. Content characterized by repetitive, generic buzzwords or vague, high-level language may result in a lower score during the evaluation process or may be disqualified from consideration if the application fails to adequately address the specific requirements of the Statement of Qualifications.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 8/18/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (BHSOAC)
Human Resources
Attn: Certification Analyst
1812 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (BHSOAC)
Human Resources
Certification Analyst
1812 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications -  A Statement of Qualifications is required and will serve as the examination for this recruitment. Please refer to the Statement of Qualifications section below for detailed instructions.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

(a) Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; personnel management techniques; the department's or agency's equal employment opportunity objectives; and a manager's role in the equal employment opportunity program.


(b) Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures, and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislative and Executive Branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department's or agency's equal employment opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

Examination Information

CEA examinations are open to all applicants who possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements as described in the examination bulletin. Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in civil service.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.mhsoac.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources
(916) 500-0577
HR_Recruiting@bhsoac.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Annie Palmero
(916) 312-4432
Annie.Palmero@bhsoac.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competatively evaluating each candidate:

1. Experience presenting information and responding to inquiries from the Legislature, Executive Branch, and the media.

2. Experience in complying with legislative mandates including developing and reviewing complex regulations that impact a program where there is a considerable amount of public interest.

3. Experience working in the health, mental health, substance use, public health, or a related field.

4. Experience working on complex projects and/or programs that involve partnering with multiple entities with diverse – and often divergent interests - such as federal, state or local governments, community-based organizations, public or private agencies, and advocacy groups.

5. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

6. Knowledge of Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act and its processes.

7. Ability to interact in a positive and professional manner and to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the Commissioners, all levels of government including the Legislature, co-workers, advocacy groups, and the public.

Statement of Qualifications

Please provide responses including specific examples for EACH of the six (6) SOQ questions. Please follow the specific guidelines below.

• Your name should appear in the top right-hand corner of the page.
• Each response must be numbered and display the full text of the question being answered.
• Must be free of typographical error.
• Font size no less than 12-point Arial font with no smaller than 1-inch margins.
• No more than four (4) pages in length.
• Each response must include all relevant experience, education and training, and must include specific examples to support your response.
• Please submit your SOQ as a PDF document.

1. Program & Grant Development: Describe your experience providing executive oversight for the development and implementation of high-impact behavioral health initiatives. How do you ensure that program concepts, solicitations, and funding strategies are community-informed, equity-centered, and culturally responsive to the needs of historically underserved or underrepresented communities? Provide an example of how you have balanced statutory requirements with the need for innovation to advance systemic improvements.
2. Procurement & Contract Development: This position oversees the lifecycle of approximately $300 million in funding and over 150 grants and contracts. Detail your experience managing large-scale procurement and contracting processes. How do you maintain rigorous internal controls to ensure transparency, fiscal integrity, and legal sufficiency during the development, negotiation, and execution of complex agreements?
3. Monitoring, Compliance, and Continuous Quality Improvement: Describe your approach to providing executive oversight of grant and contract monitoring. How do you establish frameworks for performance tracking, risk mitigation, and corrective action that not only ensure accountability but also provide necessary technical assistance to promote program fidelity, sustainability, and quality improvement?
4. Strategic Leadership & Policy Advisor: As a member of the Executive Team, you will advise leadership on highly sensitive and complex matters. How have you utilized stakeholder input, performance monitoring, and lessons learned to inform strategic decision-making and policy development? Please provide an example of how you have navigated politically sensitive issues to advance an organization's mission and strategic plan.
5. Stakeholder Engagement & Equity-Centered Collaboration: Describe your experience leading engagement efforts with racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse communities. How have you built and sustained partnerships with community-based organizations, Tribal partners, and individuals with lived experience to ensure initiatives are responsive to their needs? What strategies do you use to ensure that engagement processes elevate voices that have been historically excluded from decision-making?
6. Executive Leadership & Cross-Sector Alignment: This role requires fostering an inclusive, culturally responsive work environment that values diverse perspectives. How have you demonstrated flexibility and sound judgment when managing urgent or emerging issues? Additionally, describe your experience representing an organization in interagency workgroups or cross-sector partnerships to align initiatives across complex systems of care (e.g., social services, education, or criminal justice).



Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
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