Chief Behavioral Health Officer

Title: Chief Behavioral Health Officer

Location: River House - 211 SE Caruthers St. Portland, OR 97212

Wage Range: $156,728.00 - $184,392.00 salaried, exempt

If you are a motivated and dedicated Chief Behavioral Health Officer looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you!

At NARA Northwest, you’ll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you’re passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there’s a place for you to make a meaningful difference.  

Company Mission:

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

About the Company:

At NARA NW, we deliver services and support to Native American and Alaska Native communities, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

With over 450 employees across a variety of programs—including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives NARA NW offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others.

Position Overview:

The Chief Behavioral Health Officer (CBHO) serves as a member of NARA NW’s Senior leadership team and is responsible for leading all behavioral health service programs at all NARA NW sites. The CBHO will strategically lead all BH and SUD programs aimed at meeting the clinical benchmarks for quality and productivity. This position will provide clinical and administrative supervision for all behavioral health programs including Mental Health, Adult, Elder, Substance Use Disorder, Residential, Housing, Crisis, and Child and Family Programs. The CBHO is responsible for ensuring high quality care to American Indians, Alaska Natives and anyone in need.

What you will do:

• Plans, directs, and oversees the implementation of substance abuse, and mental health treatment for all NARA NW sites.
• Supports the organization to ensure that all behavioral health services are integrated and coordinated across all sites and supports integration of these services with primary care, dental care, and social care services.   
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with staff, leadership, tribal leaders, community, and external partners.
• Sets performance standards for clinical staff and measures their performance regularly and consistently.
• Develops improvement processes, assures quality care, and team development across all programs.
• Assures service delivery is in compliance with all applicable regulatory systems.
• Develops and maintains on-call service coverage, including quickly resolving any disruption to these services and responds to urgent BH needs and crisis.
• Design all-encompassing behavioral health initiatives that align with best practices in integrated care delivery, ensuring seamless coordination between mental health, SUD, and primary care services.
• Ensures fiscal goals are met, including grants, contracts, and third-party billing. 
• Acts as a liaison with tribes and appropriate local, county, state, federal agencies, and other organizations as requested by the CEO.
• Attends and represents NARA NW at tribal, county, state, federal and other meetings pertaining to mental health and substance abuse treatment, as requested.
• Participates in Leadership Team meetings and works collaboratively with executive team and all NARA NW leadership. 
• Works collaboratively, and maintains professional boundaries with clients, other NARA staff, team members, and treats everyone with respect and dignity at all times.

We would like to hear from people that have:

• Master’s degree or PhD in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field, plus current licensure. 
• Addictions certification at the supervision level or ability to obtain within 6 months from date of hire.
• A minimum of 8 years paid clinical experience in addictions/ mental health services.
• 10 years of paid progressive management experience in the field of addictions and mental health.
• Demonstrated expertise in child development and education, family counseling, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling and coordination with primary health care.
• Knowledge and expertise in planning and budgeting, fiscal management, supervision, personnel management, employee performance assessment, and data collection and reporting.
• The ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients, the community, and other staff members.
• Commitment to the mission and values of NARA NW, including health equity, community engagement, and respect for traditions.
• Must pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Must pass criminal background and DMV checks that meet our policy requirements.

What’s in it for you?

14 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, and December 25^th!

Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 

• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 14 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Referral Program- (Up to $1000 Dollars)
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC

How to apply:

1. To Quick Apply, go to Careers – NARA NW (naranorthwest.org)
2. Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Optional), that’s all!
3. Feel free to contact recruiting@naranorthwest.org if you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.

NARA NW Mission: Our mission is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and everyone in need.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission, all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse, both on and off the job. In addition, all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming, discussing, or promoting the use of alcohol, on the job, on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery, employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober.

Consistent with NARA NW’s sobriety policy, all employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors, as applicable, are required to sign a “Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification Form” and NARA NW “Modeling Sobriety Policy Form” as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.