Behavioral Health Program Manager Office/On-site Recruitment #260812-1450MP-001 Location Middletown, CT Date Opened 8/13/2026 12:00:00 AM Salary $99,712• - $135,944/year (•New state employees start at the minimum) Job Type Open to the Public Close Date 8/24/2026 11:59:00 PM

INTRODUCTION

The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a full‑time Behavioral Health Program Manager (PCN 85489) for Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH) in Middletown. This position provides essential leadership to ensure Whiting Forensic Hospital maintains a robust quality management program, achieves continuous regulatory readiness, and delivers safe, high-quality forensic psychiatric care. Schedule 1st shift, 40 hours per week 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM What We Can Offer You Comprehensive state employee benefits Access the State Employee Benefits Overview page to explore available options Professional growth and development opportunities A commitment to promoting a healthy work/life balance Position Highlights Assisting in the leadership and daily operations of the Quality Department and its specialized programs Planning, coordinating, and managing quality improvement, compliance, and patient safety initiatives Developing, implementing, and evaluating program goals and objectives that align with the DMHAS mission and organizational priorities Assisting in the development and implementation of agency policies, procedures, and administrative practices Interpreting and administering applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and agency policies Ensuring ongoing compliance with Department of Public Health, The Joint Commission, DMHAS, and other regulatory and accrediting body requirements Overseeing incident reporting, performance improvement activities, policy management, Health Information Management, and Patient Advocacy functions Assessing program performance, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing corrective actions Training, mentoring, supervising, and evaluating staff Coordinating administrative, clinical, and operational activities that support quality outcomes and regulatory compliance Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to support program operations and continuity of care Participating in budget planning, resource allocation, recruitment, hiring, and staff development Providing leadership for hospital-wide quality improvement and performance management initiatives Performing other related duties as required A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must comply with Connecticut's Drug‑Free Workplace Policy. About Us DMHAS is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated, holistic network of services that foster dignity, respect, and self‑sufficiency. WFH provides high-quality, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and evaluation services for patients with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings.

SELECTION PLAN FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING

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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, 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 

DAS.SHRM

@ct.gov.

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

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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 Ben Beaudry at Benjamin.

Beaudry@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 and the Department of Children and Families this class is accountable for assisting in the management of a statewide program in a geographical area; accountable for assisting in the management of a specific behavioral health program or serving as a clinical team leader.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Assists in directing staff and operations for special programs; Coordinates, plans and manages program activities; Assists in formulating policy and procedures relating to general administration of a managed service system; Participates in the formulation of agency policy; Develops, implements and evaluates the goals and objectives consistent with agency mission and policy; Interprets and administers laws pertaining to program; Trains and evaluates staff; Prepares and administers facility and community grant budgets; Maintains contact with individuals, groups and other organizations which might impact on program operations; Develops and maintains appropriate fiscal and programmatic mechanisms to ensure continuity of care to a defined population and appropriate allocation of resources; Assesses staff needs for delivery of services; Carries out policies and directives of department; Assists in coordinating, planning and managing administrative and/or fiscal and clinical activities; Ensures compliance with internal agency and accrediting bodies' standards; Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection; May assume a leadership role for agency system wide program development and administration activities; Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of public administration; principles of mental health treatment and program design; managed care system principles and practices; clinical treatment methodologies and programs for psychiatric clients; community resources; Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; relevant agency policies and procedures; assertive treatment programs; quality assessment and/or improvement techniques and accreditation body standards; Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; Ability to analyze and prepare budgets; prepare and administer grants.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of experience in business or health care administration or program development involving responsibility for financial management or budget development or grants management or professional health care or social services experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) years of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree. A Master's degree in public or health care administration, a Master's degree in business administration with a specialization in health services or hospital administration, a Master's degree in social work or a Master's degree in a related health care discipline may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with hospital operations Experience with data and technology applications Experience with data collection, analysis and creation of spreadsheets Experience managing policies and ensuring compliance in a healthcare or behavioral health setting Experience applying regulatory standards and supporting successful surveys Experience in Quality Management, including incident reviews and performance improvement, including QAPI Experience preparing and presenting compliance and quality reports Experience in utilizing Microsoft Office applications and Incident Reporting systems Experience in regulatory surveys and Corrective Action Plan support and management

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to possess appropriate current licenses or certifications. CONCLUSION