Behavioral Health Policy Staff

What you’ll 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.

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