Job Details

Mental Health Implementation Coordinator

The mission of Clark County Jail Services is to promote and maintain public safety through effective correctional and reentry practices. The purpose of the Clark County Jail Reentry Program is to connect incarcerated people released or likely to be released into the local Clark County community with resources that increase desistance behaviors and reduce recidivism. The Mental Health Implementation Coordinator (MHIC) will lead the development and implementation of a standalone licensed behavioral health agency within Clark County Jail Services to provide direct, clinical mental health services to incarcerated individuals.

The MHIC is responsible for designing and implementing administrative and operational frameworks, including policies, workflows, staffing models, budget structures, and data tools in preparation for state licensure, federal accreditation, and long-term sustainability. The MHIC will collaborate extensively with internal stakeholders (e.g., custody, jail-based medical and mental health providers) and external partners (e.g., Western State Hospital, Designated Crisis Responders, community behavioral health providers). Once licensed, the agency will offer in-custody clinical services such as mental health and suicide risk assessments, release planning, therapeutic interventions, trauma-informed programming, and staff training. The MHIC will ensure continuity of care and develop scalable operations to meet 24/7 needs. This exempt, non-represented role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and systems thinking, with the ability to navigate policy, compliance, and behavioral health frameworks in a secure setting. May include periodic nontraditional work hours. This position represents a rare opportunity to build a legacy program from the ground up, ensuring Clark County Jail Services can provide appropriate, responsive care for individuals experiencing mental health crises during incarceration, and ultimately promote safer, healthier communities. This is a project position currently scheduled to end on December 31, 2026. Please be advised that any potential for extension or conversion to a regular, full-time position is dependent upon County Council approval and the availability of future funding. First review of applications is anticipated on July 10th, 2025.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, mental health, behavioral sciences, or a related field from an accredited institution, plus at least 1 year of experience working with justice-involved individuals; OR
• Bachelor's degree in a related field plus at least 2 years of experience working with justice-involved individuals; OR
• 5 years of related professional experience
• Proof of credentials and transcripts required at time of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing clinical behavioral health care in a correctional facility
• Experience with behavioral health licensure, accreditation, and regulatory compliance
• Familiarity with Medicaid billing and correctional mental health program funding
• Experience preparing written proposals, stakeholder presentations, and grant applications

Knowledge Of:

• Clinical supervision models for licensed mental health professionals
• NCCHC, ACA, SAMHSA, and state licensing requirements for correctional behavioral health programs
• Evidence-based behavioral health treatments in correctional settings (e.g., CBT, DBT, trauma-informed approaches)
• Crisis response procedures including suicide watch, seclusion, and emergency hospitalization
• HIPAA, RCW, WAC, and CMS regulations applicable to correctional mental health
• Medicaid billing and state healthcare contracting, where applicable
• Program evaluation tools including KPIs, quality assurance, and audit response
• Currently accepted principles and best practices in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorder services
• Human development, developmental disabilities, and trauma-informed care
• Correctional systems, inmate rights, and mental health privacy laws
• Program management, budgeting, grant funding, stakeholder engagement, and data evaluation tools

Ability To:

• Develop scalable workflows and staffing models for 24/7 clinical coverage
• Lead interdisciplinary teams, facilitate staff onboarding, and maintain operational readiness
• Build collaborative partnerships across custody, healthcare, and community systems
• Interpret complex licensing and funding criteria and guide compliance implementation
• Maintain composure under pressure, demonstrate high emotional intelligence, and practice trauma-informed leadership
• Analyze outcome data, synthesize audit feedback, and recommend system improvements
• Effectively plan, direct, and implement a licensed clinical mental health program within a correctional setting
• Use independent judgment and effective decision-making in high-stakes, compliance-driven environments
• Coordinate multiple internal and external stakeholders to align policy with correctional mental health best practices
• Write clearly and concisely to convey technical, clinical, and compliance information
• Maintain accurate documentation and reporting aligned with licensing/accreditation expectations
• Exercise a high degree of professionalism, cultural competence, confidentiality, and personal accountability
• Maintain excellent attendance and dependability, particularly as an essential staff member in a 24/7 secure facility

Selection Process

Application, Resume, Cover Letter, and Supplemental Questions:

Candidates interested in applying shall submit the following items:

• Online application
• Resume
• Cover letter describing experience as related to the position
• Supplemental Questionnaire response. (See Questions Below)

Supplemental Questions (Pass/Fail): Please answer the following questions in a separate document(s). Applicants who do not submit this material will not pass the application review. Resumes and supplemental questions must be uploaded into Workday at the same time.

Please describe in one page or less how your combined education, training, and professional experience qualify you for the position of Mental Health Implementation Coordinator.

Please describe in one page or less your experience developing, implementing, accrediting, and evaluating new programs. Include key performance objectives, milestones, and lessons learned.

Please describe in one page or less your experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders and the results you produced through these efforts.

Please describe in one page or less your philosophy about serving people during incarceration.

Each item must be submitted together. Incomplete application submissions will not pass the application review. (The system does not allow for document uploads to be added at separate times.)

Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Panel Interview

All candidates must complete a panel interview to be considered for the Background Process. Candidates will receive an invitation to interview with the panel after initial review of submitted material is completed and the panel is available.

Background Process

All candidates who are selected in the panel interview to move forward to the background phase will be invited to begin a background investigation. The background submission is a graded component, and the grading rubric will be sent with the initial invitation to begin the background Investigation process.

Executive Interview

Finalists for some positions may be required to participate in an executive-level interview due to the sensitive nature and leadership responsibilities of the role.

Background Investigation

This is the most detailed and lengthy part of the hiring process. Please see additional details in the background criteria section below.

The background investigation will consist of the following elements:

• Criminal history investigation
• Affiliations
• Personal and professional references
• Employment History
• Any prior applications to other criminal justice agencies
• Credit check
• Drivers record investigation
• Polygraph examination
• Psychological evaluation
• Medical examination

Disqualifying Factors:

• Any Felony Convictions (regardless of status)
• Domestic Violence Charges
• Manufacturing/Distribution of Illegal Drugs
• Reckless/Negligent/DUI within the last 3 years
• Illegal Drug Use within the last 3 years
• Dishonorable Military Discharge or Failure to Register for the Selective Service
• Discharge from a Criminal Justice Agency related to honesty
• Affiliation with Gangs or Extremist Groups