Manager II

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Legislative and External Affairs, the Manager II serves as the Assistant Deputy Director and provides executive-level leadership and strategic oversight of complex, sensitive, and high-profile functions related to legislation, external affairs, and communications in relation to California’s behavioral health system. This position is also responsible for decision-making on all public relations matters. The Manager II provides management to two teams who are responsible for advancing the Commission’s statutory mandate and strategic priorities through legislative engagement, stakeholder coordination, advocacy grants, communications, and other external engagement including commission meeting planning and execution. This position is responsible for leading legislative analysis and implementation efforts across programs with multidepartment and statewide impact and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership and Commissioners on matters that shape long-term behavioral health policies across California. The Manager II ensures alignment of all activities with the Commission’s core goals, coordinates internal and external policy communication, and oversees programmatic activities that support statutory compliance in behavioral health systems. The incumbent is responsible for both direct and indirect supervision of professional staff to include staff development, performance management, promoting collaboration, goal setting, and communicating effective expectations. The Manager II is also responsible for the division's budgetary oversight, strategic risk management, and the evaluation of program effectiveness to ensure alignment with Commission goals and resource optimization.

This recruitment has been posted for more vacancies than currently exist as it may be used to fill identical vacancies which occur with 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with BHSOAC’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

1. Experience presenting information to boards, Commissions, and responding to inquiries from the public and organizational leaders.

2. Experience working in the health, mental health, substance use, public health, or a related field.

3. Experience working on complex projects and/or programs that involve partnering with multiple entities with diverse perspectives such as counties, school districts, community-based organizations, public or private agencies, and advocacy groups.

4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

5. Experience in development of Request for Applications and the state contracting process.

6. Ability to develop staff skills, work collaboratively and interact in a positive and professional manner with the Commissioners, county behavioral health leaders, grantees, contractors, and all levels of state government.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Additional Application Information

Applications received without the following information may be considered incomplete:

· "to" and "from" dates (month/day/year);

· hours worked per week and total worked;

· civil service classification or private sector job titles;

· supervisor name and phone number;

· duties performed.

Applications with "see resume" in place of duties performed are not acceptable.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A Statement of Qualifications addressing the questions below must be included with your application package. The statement of qualifications must be no more than two pages in length with no less than 12-point, Arial font.

  Describe the role of legislative and external affairs in state government and how you would align legislative, policy, communications, stakeholder, and programmatic work to advance organizational priorities. Include one specific example that reflects your approach.