Sieda Community Action is seeking an experienced, mission-driven leader to serve as Director of Behavioral Health and Treatment Services (BHTS). This is a senior leadership role for a licensed professional who wants to shape high-quality behavioral health, substance use treatment, and prevention services that truly change lives across our region.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the BHTS Director provides strategic direction and day-to-day leadership for Sieda’s behavioral health continuum of care. This role blends clinical integrity, operational excellence, and people-centered leadership; ensuring services are accessible, compliant, sustainable, and grounded in best practices.
What You’ll Do
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for Sieda’s behavioral health, substance use treatment, and prevention programs
- Ensure the quality, integrity, and consistency of clinical services, including professional counseling standards and clinical supervision
- Lead program planning, budgeting, and fiscal stewardship to maximize impact and sustainability
- Maintain compliance with all state and federal regulations and accreditation requirements
- Supervise and support program managers and clinical staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and growth
- Partner with other Sieda leaders and community stakeholders to strengthen services and expand access across the region
- Stay current on evidence-based counseling practices and ensure Sieda’s Behavioral Health and Treatment Services philosophy is reflected in all programming
What We’re Looking For
The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in this role:
Required
- Master’s degree in a human-services-related field
- Independent licensure (LMHC, LISW, or LMFT)
- Minimum of five years of experience in behavioral health and/or substance use treatment services
Preferred
- Two or more years of supervisory or managerial experience in mental health and/or substance use disorder services
Salary & Benefits
- $71,708–$84,260 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications
- Paid holidays
- Generous vacation and sick leave
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options
- IPERS retirement
Why You’ll Love It
- Lead with purpose. Your work will directly shape behavioral health and substance use services for individuals, families, and communities across the region. This role has real, visible impact.
- Use both sides of your brain. You’ll stay connected to clinical excellence while also influencing strategy, operations, and long-term service planning.
- Have a seat at the table. As part of Sieda’s Executive Leadership team, your voice matters in organizational decisions, collaboration, and innovation.
- Build and support a strong team. You’ll mentor talented professionals and help create a culture that values quality care, accountability, and compassion.
- Work for an organization that values mission and people. Sieda is committed to accessible, high-quality services; and to supporting the leaders who make that work possible.
- Enjoy stability with balance. Competitive pay, strong benefits, IPERS retirement, and paid time off support both professional longevity and personal well-being.
How to Apply
For consideration, please submit your résumé and complete the application process by June 5, 2026.
For questions or additional information, contact Sofia Waters at [email protected]
or 641.682.8741.
Full Job Description
JOB TITLE: Unit Director UNIT: BHTS
REPORTS TO: Executive Director FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SUMMARY:
The Director of Behavioral Health and Treatment Services (BHTS) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Sieda’s behavioral health, substance use treatment, and prevention services. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position is responsible for program planning, fiscal stewardship, regulatory compliance, and staff leadership to ensure high-quality, accessible services across the region. Working collaboratively with Sieda leadership, the Director develops and implements short- and long-term service strategies, manages program resources, and strengthens community partnerships. The Director holds primary responsibility for the quality and integrity of clinical services, including professional counseling standards and clinical supervision, and is expected to model and reinforce the Unit’s mission, vision, and values. This role requires maintaining current knowledge of counseling practices and ensuring Sieda’s Behavioral Health and Treatment Services philosophy is consistently reflected in all treatment and prevention services.
DUTIES: (Essential Functions)
- Provide overall leadership and management of the Behavioral Health and Treatment Services Unit, including responsibility for physical, clinical, and financial resources.
- Collaborate with the Fiscal Officer to develop, manage, and monitor the Unit’s budget; oversee the appropriate use of funds; and ensure accurate financial, service, and compliance reporting required by licensing bodies and funding sources.
- Ensure all Behavioral Health & Treatment Services comply with CARF International standards, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services licensure requirements and Chapter 24 mental health license through ongoing internal monitoring, file review, and continuous quality improvement activities.
- Develop, implement, and periodically update short- and long-term comprehensive service plans for the catchment area, with emphasis on substance use disorder treatment, prevention, rehabilitation, and mental health services.
- Establish and oversee intake, assessment, scheduling, and evaluation procedures to ensure timely access to services and consistent quality of care.
- Maintain oversight of all clinical services provided to persons served, including clinical reviews, consistency of treatment recommendations, monitoring of waiting times, counselor productivity, and overall service outcomes.
- Ensure persons served receive timely, professional, individualized, and rights-respecting services; report potential violations of client rights, policies, or state and federal regulations to appropriate authorities as required.
- Supervise and evaluate all BHTS personnel, directly or through delegation, and make recommendations regarding hiring, performance improvement, discipline, and termination to the Executive Director
- Develop, implement, and monitor a Unit training plan, including annual training needs assessments, required certifications, and ongoing professional development for counseling staff.
- Oversee and ensure our clearinghouse and billing of MCO, private insurances, and the Substance Use Disorder Block Grant is running smoothly.
- Maintain written descriptions of all Behavioral Health and Treatment Services and ensure services are delivered consistently with approved program designs.
- Coordinate and maintain effective referral relationships with external agencies to ensure access to collateral and supportive services.
- Provide clinical coverage, crisis response, and leadership support during staff absences or emergencies as needed.
- Perform other related duties as necessary to support the effective operation of Unit programs and services, as directed by the Executive Director.
INDEPENDENT ACTION:
- Operates with minimal supervision regarding task guidelines and completion.
DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY
- Exercises broad independent decision-making authority within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING:
- Requires a professional independent clinical license with ongoing CEU requirements.
- Travel within and outside the service area is required; valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance are required for mileage reimbursement.
- This position is a mandatory reporter of child abuse and requires valid certification.
PROGRAM REPRESENTATION:
- Represents the Behavioral Health and Treatment Services Unit in interactions with staff, persons served, community partners, funders, and regulatory agencies.
PROGRAM DESIGN AND PLANNING:
- Leads and participates in planning, evaluation, and improvement of multiple programs and overall Unit operations.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
- Provides overall supervision and accountability for all Behavioral Health and Treatment Services personnel.
OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage complex clinical and administrative responsibilities simultaneously
ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:
- Supports and models the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
- Maintains regular and reliable attendance to ensure continuity of services and adequate staff coverage.
- Demonstrates professional behavior at all times, including appropriate appearance and maintenance of an orderly work environment.
- Treats all individuals in a courteous, non-judgmental, respectful, and confidential manner.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
- Ability to communicate effectively in one-on-one and group settings.
- Demonstrated active listening skills.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.
- Ability to respond effectively to customer and staff concerns or complaints.
REASONING ABILITY:
- Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations, policies, and contractual requirements and translate them into compliant operational practices.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Regularly required to talk and hear; occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, or handle objects.
- Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Occasionally exposed to extreme cold or heat.
- Noise level is usually moderate.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill, and/or ability required to be considered for this position.
FORMAL EDUCATION:
- Requires a Master’s Degree in a human-service-related field, with an independent license (LMHC, LISW, or LMFT)
EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum of five years’ experience working within the Behavioral Health & Treatment Services field required
- Two years’ experience of supervision or managerial experience in substance use disorder services and/or mental health treatment services preferred.
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY:
- Moderate computer proficiency, including the ability to use program software applications with minimal training and perform basic troubleshooting.
