Behavioral Health Policy Staff

Application Procedures
To be considered for this position you must apply online through this posting website (). 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 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 (). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to complete a brief writing exercise. The writing sample will assess the applicants ability to communicate clearly organize information and apply professional judgement in a work-related scenario. Additional instructions will be provided to candidates selected for interview.

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 applicants prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

RuleBackground 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 or .

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.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH POLICY STAFF
(Policy Staff)

This posting includes two available positions.

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals Ohio Pharmacy Services Ohios prison systems and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus OH.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered Solution Oriented Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable Reasonable Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well get well and stay well. Join our collaborative service-oriented environment where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued supported and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness second chance hiring and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect both in the community and within our own team.

What youll do at DBH:

The Behavioral Health Policy Office is seeking a Policy Staff professional to join the team. This position serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership providing policy analysis implementation guidance and cross-agency coordination to advance departmental priorities and statewide behavioral health goals.

The role requires a high degree of judgment discretion and policy expertise along with the ability to operate effectively in complex governmental environments.

Core Responsibilities:

Strategic Policy Leadership

• Conduct comprehensive policy analysis and environmental scanning at the federal state and local levels to inform executive decision-making.
• Evaluate policy trends legislative developments and best practices to assess alignment with agency priorities and emerging system needs.
• Develop policy recommendations impact assessments and strategic guidance for senior and executive leadership.
• Advise leadership and stakeholders on current and proposed policy initiatives affecting behavioral health systems workforce development and service delivery.

Executive & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the office in high-level collaborations with internal divisions state agencies advocacy organizations boards and external partners.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships that support coordinated policy development and implementation.
• Contribute or participate in interagency discussions related to behavioral health policy regulation and financing.
• Respond to complex and sensitive inquiries from government officials partners and the public.

Policy Implementation & Oversight

• Support the execution of policy initiatives through structured planning including timelines work plans risk assessment and evaluation strategies.
• Oversee or conduct surveys data analysis and evaluations to assess policy effectiveness and system impact.
• Interpret legislative and regulatory requirements and communicate implications clearly to leadership and stakeholders.
• Support the development of administrative rules and formal policy documentation as needed.

Health Policy & Financing Strategy

• Provide subject-matter expertise on public health and behavioral health financing structures including Medicaid and other public coverage programs.
• Analyze regulatory frameworks and coverage authorities impacting behavioral health services.
• Contribute to fiscal modeling and funding strategies aligned with agency priorities.
• Apply knowledge of reimbursement methodologies benefit design and healthcare coding concepts to inform policy development.

Communications & Thought Leadership

• Author executive-level policy briefs reports legislative summaries position papers and impact statements.
• Prepare materials for publication and public communication including policy messaging and press-related content.
• Deliver presentations and briefings to executive leadership policymakers stakeholders and public audiences.

• Translate complex policy concepts into clear actionable information for diverse audiences.

  This position is exempt from the bargaining units. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm (hours may vary).

Additional Salary / Appointment Information:

This position is unclassified in accordance with ORC 124.11 (A) (26) pay commensurate with experience.

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.

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.

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 ourTotal 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in public policy behavioral health policy healthcare policy or a related field.
• Experience conducting complex policy analysis and developing executive-level recommendations.
• Strong understanding of governmental structures legislative processes and regulatory environments.
• Experience with public-sector healthcare financing and insurance systems preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively on diverse teams and openly receive constructive criticism.
• Proficiency with standard office and document-development software.

*Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:

• 3 -5 years of senior-level policy experience in behavioral health healthcare or public policy.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Proven ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and effectively.
• Experience working across agencies and with external stakeholders.
• High level of professionalism discretion and executive presence.

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 institutions website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.