Chief of Programs (Deputy Director 6) - PN: 20035962

Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health . This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

What you’ll do at DBH :

The Deputy Director / Chief of Programs serves as a senior executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, oversight, and performance of all external programs and services. This role advances the agency’s mission by leading high-impact programming across community and family resiliency, prevention, treatment, workforce development, criminal justice, and recovery. The position defines program strategy, establishes standards, ensures compliance with federal and state laws, and evaluates program effectiveness to drive measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Deputy Director provides strong organizational leadership and business acumen, guiding programmatic bureaus and staff toward strategic goals while embedding accountability, efficiency, and results-driven practices into program management, contracts, and vendor oversight. This role leads complex, cross-functional initiatives, applies disciplined project management, and supports a culture aligned with departmental values.

The Deputy Director / Chief of Programs also serves as a trusted advisor and technical resource to Boards, service providers, and stakeholders, offering programmatic and fiscal guidance while maintaining stewardship of public funds. The role collaborates on funding recommendations, reviews and analyzes legislation, and communicates with stakeholders and partners to strengthen service delivery and ensure transparency. Acting on behalf of the Director when assigned, the Deputy Director represents the agency before governing bodies and public officials, coordinates with state, federal, and local partners, and contributes to policy development, planning, and public communication efforts.

Key Responsibilities ✅

• Lead and oversee all external programs and services to achieve agency goals
• Establish program strategy, standards, and compliance with federal and state requirements
• Supervise programmatic bureaus and senior staff, including performance management
• Direct fiscal and budgetary oversight and collaborate on funding recommendations
• Apply business acumen to program operations, contracts, and outcome measurement
• Lead key agency initiatives and cross-functional projects
• Serve as a resource to Boards and providers on programmatic and fiscal matters
• Review and analyze legislation impacting agency programs
• Represent the agency and act on behalf of the Director as assigned

This is an hourly position and is exempt from the bargaining units, with a pay range of 46 on the E2 Exempt Pay Range Schedule . Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (Flexible Schedule).

Unclassified pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 124.11(A)(9).

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

• Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Position Qualifications

There are no minimum qualifications for this position; however, preferred experience and knowledge includes:

• Experience serving in a Deputy Director, Assistant Director, Division Director, or equivalent executive leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience directly supervising senior leaders, managers, or multiple programmatic teams, including performance management and staff development.
• Background in behavioral health, public health, human services, fiscal management, or criminal justice systems.
• Experience working within state or local government or publicly funded systems.

• Demonstrated success in policy development, legislative analysis, or regulatory implementation.

Demonstrated success in developing metrics and articulating regularly reported outcomes.

Primary Job Skill: Executive Leadership

Technical Skills: Business, Budgeting, Planning & Development, Policy Direction, Organizational Development

Professional Skills: Building Consensus, Building Trust, Consultation, Leading Others, Organizing and Planning, Visionary Thinking

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

Supplemental Information

Application Procedures
To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at [email protected] or 614-466-8884.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.