State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Central Office this class is accountable for administering designated agency-wide behavioral services programs and operations of significant size, scope and accountability.

This class is used in agency specific programs with agency-wide impact. It is not intended to replace job classes dedicated to agency business functions (e.g. fiscal, information technology, human resources, etc.)

Receives administrative direction from the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.

• Administers staff and operations of a designated program;
• Develops, implements and evaluates program policies, goals and objectives;
• Designs and develops 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 performance review standards for staff;
• Maintains contact with individuals within and outside of agency who might impact programs and services;
• Serves as executive team member participating in development, implementation and evaluation of agency policies, goals and objectives;
• Advises Commissioner as to behavioral health trends and strategies through use of analytics, statistics and reports;
• Determines quality assurance standards;
• Manages departmental service systems;
• Develops Requests for Proposals;
• Administers state and federal regulations pertaining to agency behavioral health care programs, services and operations;
• Participates in provider contract negotiations;
• Manages budget, contracts and fiscal operations;
• Coordinates accreditation activities;
• Serves as agency liaison with external regulatory, behavioral health planning and advisory groups and other state regulatory and service agencies;
• Testifies at legislative hearings, public hearings and in court;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• 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;
  • legislative and regulations making process;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
  • organizational skills;
  • analytical skills;
• Ability to analyze complex problems and implement effective solutions.

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 full-time managerial responsibility for formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and monitoring a budget for a major program. Management activities include planning, organizing, directing and controlling resources of a major behavioral health agency or organization.

• Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits, degrees, certifications and/or any other qualifications necessary to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the applicable position.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

MP 70

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Director of Programs and Services in Salary Group MP 70 approved effective July 5, 2019. (Revised to add Acknowledgement section and modify content) Final No. 22-007

04/01/2022