The County of Santa Barbara's Behavioral Wellness Department is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Justice Services Manager position. This leadership position manages countywide behavioral health programs serving justice-involved individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions. The countywide classification is Health Services Manager II. This position is "At-Will" and is exempt from Civil Service provisions.

Under the direction of the Branch Chief of Specialty Programs, the Justice Services Manager oversees prevention, intervention, diversion, treatment, and recovery-oriented programs designed to reduce criminal justice involvement and improve access to behavioral health services. Responsibilities include program planning and evaluation, staff supervision, contract and grant oversight, regulatory compliance, strategic collaboration, and coordination with internal and external partners.

The Justice Services Manager works closely with courts, law enforcement agencies, correctional health providers, community-based organizations, and other County departments to support coordinated care and positive outcomes for vulnerable populations. This position serves as a member of the Behavioral Wellness management team and exercises independent judgment in establishing program priorities and operational strategies.

May be based in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria. However, this position has countywide responsibility and requires routine travel to offices and partner agencies.

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

The ideal candidate will have:

• Extensive knowledge of legal system and behavioral health
• Proven track record of working with adults and youth with justice involvement
• History building strong partnerships with courts, judges and law enforcement
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams
• Background of testifying in court
• Knowledge of court room proceedings and the role of mental health professionals in the justice system
• Strong skills in collecting and analyzing data
• Ability to inspire, coach, develop, and empower staff
• Experience leading change initiatives
• Familiarity with the statewide inpatient system
• Ability to respond effectively in adversarial proceedings
• Familiarity with the Behavioral Health Services Act principles, funding, and reporting requirements
• Experience leading a Full-Service Partnership program
• Proficiency in leading and partnering to solve complex, systemic programs
• Solid public speaking skills

• Quality services for persons of all ages with mental illness and/or substance abuse
• Integrity in individual and organizational actions
• Dignity, respect, and compassion for all persons
• Active involvement of clients and families in treatment, recovery, and policy development
• Diversity throughout our organization and cultural competency in service delivery
• A system of care and recovery that is clearly defined and promotes recovery and resiliency
• Emphasis on prevention and treatment
• Teamwork among department employees in an atmosphere that is respectful and creative
• Continuous quality improvement in service delivery and administration
• Wellness modeled for our clients at all levels; i.e., staff who regularly arrive at the workplace healthy, energetic and resilient
• Safety for everyone

Examples of Duties

These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

• Lead and oversee countywide justice services behavioral health programs supporting justice-involved individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions.
• Direct prevention, diversion, treatment, recovery, and reentry services delivered through County staff and contracted providers, ensuring high-quality, coordinated, and equitable service delivery across Santa Barbara County.
• Build and strengthen collaborative partnerships with courts, law enforcement agencies, correctional health providers, hospitals, community organizations, and other County departments to improve system coordination and client outcomes.
• Develop and implement innovative programs and service strategies that reduce criminal justice involvement, address unmet community needs, and expand access to behavioral health care and supportive services.
• Lead cross-agency initiatives focused on complex system challenges, including competency restoration, conservatorships, reentry planning, state hospital transitions, and services for incarcerated youth and adults.
• Establish policies, procedures, performance standards, and operational practices that ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, contractual obligations, and evidence-based behavioral health practices.
• Monitor program performance, outcomes, budgets, contracts, and funding streams; prepare reports, proposals, and other documentation related to grants, strategic planning, and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise, mentor, and support multidisciplinary professional, clinical, technical, and administrative staff; foster a collaborative and mission-driven work environment focused on accountability, innovation, and service excellence.
• Use data, outcome measures, and continuous quality improvement practices to evaluate program effectiveness, identify system gaps, and guide operational and strategic decision-making.
• Represent the Department at community meetings, stakeholder groups, interagency workgroups, court-related meetings, and public forums involving high-level partners and decision-makers.

Employment Standards

Education and Experience
The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in public health administration, public administration, behavioral/mental health, or related field and,
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in managing behavioral health services for justice-involved individuals including at least two (2) years as a supervisor or manager.
• A valid California license in any of the following:
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Psychiatrist

• Principles, practices, and techniques of health care management in a public agency setting including public health, mental health and recovery, correctional health, and medical health including the interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Trends in public, mental, medical, and correctional health, and recovery education, treatment, prevention, and related issues.
• Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Management principles, practices, and techniques.
• Principles and practices of fiscal management and budgeting.
• Principles and practices of program planning and administration.
• Personnel management principles and practices, including employee supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.
• Principles and practices of group facilitation, conflict resolution, and consensus building.
• Principles and practices of procurement and contract administration.
• Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Business systems, equipment, and applications relevant to the area of assignment.
• Social, economic, cultural, and other issues impacting program area.

• Effectively administer public health, mental health and recovery, correctional health, and/or medical health programs and activities.
• Manage assigned operations/programs; ensure ongoing compliance with strategic objectives and performance measures.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Manage and evaluate assigned staff, including training, coaching, participating in the development of goals and strategic objectives, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands, and assigning/monitoring work.
• Analyze and evaluate operational programs, projects, and procedures.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise changes and improvements in public agency projects and studies.
• Manage budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation.
• Interpret, monitor, and report financial information and statistics.
• Oversee the implementation of, and adherence to, quality assurance activities and standards.
• Research, recommend, and implement industry trends, solutions, and best practices.
• Resolve complex problems within area of assignment.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of reports, grant proposals, documents, and presentations.
• Make presentations to stakeholders, elected officials, County leadership, and the public.
• Creates and provides informative presentations to stakeholders, elected officials, County leadership, and the public.
• Collaborate with program stakeholders, elected and appointed boards, the public, and internal leadership.
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals, including but not limited to coworkers, subordinate staff, supervisors, other managers, professional agencies, and the general public.

Supplemental Information

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards. Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.
• Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, by 4:59pm PST. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

• BENEFITS: Retirement Plans Generous County Defined Benefit Plan Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: https://www.sbcers.org/ and http://www.santabarbara457.comHealth Benefits Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more! For more information on our health benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4012/Health-BenefitsPaid Time Off Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below) Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)Miscellaneous Benefits County Paid Term Life Insurance County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance Childcare and Employee Discounts Relocation Assistance may apply Flexible work schedule may apply For more information on all of these benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4013/24636/WorkLife-BenefitsCompensation Summary To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/3096/Managers-Unrepresented *This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.