Mental Health Center Director

Mental Health Center Director

Office/On-Site

Recruitment # 261022-2569MP-001

Location Danbury, CT Torrington, CT Waterbury, CT

Date Opened 10/28/2026 12:00:00 AM

Salary $141,922 - $193,511/year

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 11/12/2026 11:59:00 PM

Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)

• Introduction

Are you a clinical leader with managerial experience in hospital, health or mental health administration?

Join our team to make a significant impact today!

THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services ( DMHAS (https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/About-DMHAS/Agency/About-DMHAS) ) is now hiring for a Mental Health Center Director (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=2569MP&R1=&R3=) to join their Behavioral Healthcare Team! This position will provide administrative oversight and management for the day-to-day clinical and facility operations at the three WCMHN sites, as well as active leadership of and participation in multiple agency committees. This position requires on-call coverage during evenings and weekends hours to provide clinical consultation regarding emerging clinical issues, assessments and staffing issues. This position would also be able to provide more comprehensive coverage for agency functions in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• FACILITY: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network ( WCMHN (https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/wcmhn/agency-files/wcmhn---homepage) )

• LOCATION: T his position will include travel throughout Danbury, Torrington, and Waterbury

• UNIT: WCMHN Administration

• SCHEDULE: Full-time, 40 Hours per Week, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

• POSITION NUMBER: 102411

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!

• Professional growth and development opportunities

• A healthy work/life balance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6n9M1Qd5fo) to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Provide consistent oversight of all clinical programs at all three WCMHN sites;

• Provide direct clinical consultation and coordination of the sites’ respective clinical directors;

• Set the agenda for and facilitate the agency’s Operations Workgroup;

• Facilitate the agency’s Threat Assessment Team;

• Oversee the agency’s participation in Statewide Utilization Management (of residential bed usage);

• Assess clinical need for and coordinate usage of Discretionary Dollars for specialized care;

• Oversee the implementation and sustainability of evidence based practices across the sites;

• Oversee WCMHN facility operations to include oversight of Safety & Health Committee, Emergency Management & Continuous Operations protocols, and site maintenance & construction projects; and

• Improve the agency to meet Joint Commission clinical and environmental standards for behavioral health care.

ABOUT US

DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

WCMHN was formed in 1996 in order to coordinate clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of Region 5 contracted and state-operated mental health services. Their mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect.

Within this service system, there are three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities, which are located in Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington. In partnership with WCMHN, they provide and coordinate local clinical services. Over 200 staff including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation and mental health workers provide services for persons with a long-term mental illness. Approximately 7,000 clients receive services in a variety of programs, including peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis services, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and young adult services.

PLEASE NOTE

• A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.

• All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace (https://portal.ct.gov/das/-/media/das/statewide-hr/a---z-listing-task-pdfs/drug-free-workplace-policy--february-2016.pdf) .

Selection Plan

This position will be appoint ed by t he Co mmissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in accordance with Section 17a-472 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit (https://jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=KIT) for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.

• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.

• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.

• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing [email protected].

• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.

• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!

• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.

• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

• This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jensine Tran at Jensine.Tran ([email protected]) @ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for directing, planning, coordinating and monitoring the development and delivery of services to individuals.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs, plans and coordinates delivery of services to individuals;

• Directs and participates in planning and development of clinical programs designed to meet needs of individuals served by agency;

• Directs and participates in monitoring and evaluating clinical programs to ensure maintenance of a high standard of care consistent with requirements of Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals and other accreditation bodies;

• Directs preparation of facility budget;

• Directs and coordinates administrative and support services through department heads;

• Presides at administrative conferences with department heads to formulate policies;

• Ensures conformance of all procedures and programs with statutory laws governing individuals with intellectual disability;

• Coordinates clinical research and educational programs of mental health facility through appropriate department heads;

• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;

• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of

• full continuum of mental health services including but not limited to outpatient services, day treatment, residential services;

• mental health program planning and development;

• contribution of various clinical disciplines to treatment of the mentally ill;

• Knowledge of

• and ability to apply management principles and practices;

• relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;

• budgeting and financial reporting principles and techniques as related to health care;

• Considerable

• interpersonal skills;

• oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree or higher in a health related field and at least five (5) years of managerial experience in hospital, health or mental health administration.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience managing behavioral health clinical operations, including risk management

• Experience managing facility operations in an outpatient behavioral health care setting

• Experience with Joint Commission standards of behavioral health care (both clinical and safety/environment of care)

• Experience organizing, analyzing, and interpreting clinical outcomes data

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess the appropriate current license in one of the following areas: clinical social work, marital and family therapy, professional counseling, registered nursing, clinical psychology, alcohol and drug abuse counseling, medicine or psychiatry.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online