Senior Diversion Program Specialist; DBHBH

The Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) seeks a Senior Diversion Program Specialist to join the Division of Behavioral Health (DBH).

The Senior Diversion Program Specialist will be accountable for day-to-day operations, professional support, technical assistance, and point of contact for internal and external teams. This position will frequently engage in data analysis and interpretation to inform decision-making and policy development, contributing to program improvement efforts and ensuring fidelity to established standards and evidence-based programming. Working under the general guidance from the supervisor and others within Department leadership, this senior-level specialist role will require advanced skills and expertise to support the implementation and sustainability of Missouri’s diversion programming, ensuring effective outcomes that align with the goals and objectives of the Prevention and Crisis Services Unit and overall mission of the Department.

The base salary offered for this position is up to $62,500.00 annually, commensurate with education and experience. If the selected candidate is eligible for a pay differential, such as retention pay, the total salary may exceed what is listed in this posting.

This position is an in-office position domiciled at Central Office in Jefferson City, MO. This position may require travel and overnight stays as necessary.

• Serves as the primary point of contact and project lead for Community Behavioral Health Liaisons, Co-responders, Crisis Intervention Team, Critical Incident Support Network, First Responder Provider Network, Justice Reinvestment Initiative/Crisis Response Workgroup, Post Critical Incident Seminar, Sequential Intercept Model Mapping, and the State Crisis Intervention Program Grant.
• Participates in the coordination, implementation, and sustainment of diversion programming, ensuring adherence to best practices through the development and interpretation of comprehensive policies while monitoring and reporting program outcomes through data analysis.
• Serves as a liaison regarding diversion programming for jails, courts, first responders, Office of State Court Administrator, and the Division of Behavioral Health competency restoration initiatives.
• Assists in the design of diversion programming by identifying target populations and establishing strategic goals and objectives that align with program and Department priorities, obtaining funding, and implementing and/or evaluating program activities.
• Interprets complex data and prepares detailed reports for diversion program performance, identifying trends and making informed recommendations for enhancements.
• Leads and actively participates in diversion-related work groups and committees, including Director meetings, contributing expertise to drive programmatic improvements.
• Delivers comprehensive training and guidance on diversion services policies, program activities, and outcomes.
• Provides advanced technical assistance to program managers by identifying program and resource needs and drafting and entering contracts into the Contract Action Request (CAR) portal.
• Analyzes diversion provider budgets and staffing needs, offering strategic recommendations to the Director of Prevention and Crisis Services.
• Presents and simplifies complex information regarding diversion programs to justice involved organizations, courts, jails, civic and community organizations, and contractors, promoting collaboration and engagement in program initiatives.
• Performs monitoring of diversion contracts and actively participates in certification reviews.
• Works with planning committee and Missouri Behavioral Health Council to implement annual Crisis Intervention Team conference.
• Approves, processes, and tracks monthly contracted diversion provider invoices; tracks spending.

A bachelor’s degree in a health or criminal justice related discipline (i.e., Public Health, Psychology, Community Psychology, Human Development, Forensic Science/Psychology, Criminal Justice) AND 3-5 years of relevant experience (substitutions may be allowed). Professional experience working in areas of diversion, crisis services,…