State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class serves as the Clinical Chief of Staff and is accountable for administering agency-wide behavioral services, programs and operations.

Receives direction from the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.

Administers programs and operations; directs all staff.

• Administers staff, operations and clinical programs; 
• Develops, implements and evaluates program policies, goals and objectives to ensure conformance with agency mission, goals, objectives and statutory provisions; 
• Designs and develops programs and activities including development of program performance standards and criteria; 
• Implements new procedures and procedural revisions; 
• Determines appropriate staffing levels and directs management and coordination of staff; 
• Designs and implements staff performance review standards; 
• Maintains contact with individuals within and outside of agency who might impact programs and services; 
• Manages departmental service systems;
• Develops Requests for Proposals as necessary; 
• Administers state and federal regulations pertaining to agency behavioral health care programs, services and operations; 
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection 
• May participate in provider contract negotiations; 
• May be responsible for managing budget, contracts and fiscal operations; 
• May be responsible for coordination of accreditation activities; 
• May serve as agency liaison with external regulatory, behavioral health planning and advisory groups and other state regulatory and service agencies; 
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices; 
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations pertaining to behavioral health; 
  • principles, practices and issues of behavioral health care;
• Knowledge of administrative and clinical operations, functions and systems involving behavioral health service delivery; 
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills; 
  • organizational skills; 
  • analytical skills.

An advanced degree in a health, human services or related field and five (5) years of professional experience in behavioral health care.

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity directing programs and operations related to behavioral health care services with statewide or regional impact OR directing a behavioral health care community agency, facility or hospital.

NOTE: Managerial capacity is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and monitoring a budget.

• The Clinical Chief of Staff must possess an advanced degree in social work, psychology or psychiatry, have clinical management experience in mental health and/or substance abuse and is required to possess a current clinical license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

This replaces the existing title of and specification for the class of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director of Programs and Services  in Salary Group MP 72 approved effective September 16, 2021. (Revised to add Acknowledgement section and modify Content) Final No. 23-001

01/03/2023