Skip to content
Search Public Health Job Opportunities Across The Nation

Explore national fellowship and internship opportunities

The list includes opportunities with governmental public health agencies, nonprofits organizations, global health initiatives, and more. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, national programs affiliated with the Centers of Disease Control and Preventions (CDC).

Behavior Health & Social Services Director (DOH/NMVH #15578)

Salary

 

$34.76 - $55.62 Hourly

$72,307 - $115,692 Annually

This position is a Pay Band HI

Posting Details

 
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.  APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.  THIS POSTING MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS.

POSITION IS LOCATED IN TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM

The New Mexico State Veterans¿ Home is located on sixteen picturesque acres in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. It provides long-term and skilled nursing services for honorably discharged veterans, their spouses, or parents of veterans killed in combat action. The facility has 131 nursing home, skilled-nursing living beds. Services for residents are provided 24/7, focusing on maintaining or improving their physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being under a personalized plan of care developed by licensed health professionals

Why does the job exist?

 
The Director of Behavioral Health and Social Services is a fully licensed behavioral health professional (LISW, LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, LPAT, or LBSW) responsible for the leadership, coordination, and clinical oversight of both the Behavioral Health and Social Services departments. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, person-centered care and support services for individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, trauma histories, and complex psychosocial needs.

The manager oversees the development and implementation of individualized care and treatment plans, supervises a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and social service staff, and ensures compliance with state regulations and professional standards. Working in close collaboration with psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs), medical providers, case managers, and community resources, the manager integrates behavioral health and social services to create a comprehensive and coordinated system of care.

This position is instrumental in maintaining service quality, driving program improvement, and supporting residents in achieving stability, recovery, and improved quality of life across multiple facilities or service regions.

How does it get done?

 
Psychosocial Assessment and Care Planning
¿ Lead the completion of comprehensive psychosocial assessments for all new residents and conduct regular updates in accordance with regulatory timelines and residents¿ changing needs.
¿ Develop, implement, and revise individualized care plans that address residents¿ emotional, social, behavioral, and discharge planning needs, in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
¿ Advocate for a holistic approach to care that incorporates veterans¿ history, trauma, family relationships, and personal values.
Resident and Family Support
¿ Provide direct social services to residents and families, including supportive counseling, grief and loss support, adjustment to long-term care, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention.
¿ Facilitate communication between residents, families, staff, and outside agencies to ensure veterans' rights, preferences, and dignity are upheld.
¿ Serve as the primary point of contact for social service¿related inquiries from families, legal representatives, and guardians.
Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration
¿ Actively participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings, morning stand-ups, and treatment planning discussions to ensure residents' psychosocial and behavioral health needs are fully addressed.
¿ Work closely with psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs), primary care providers, nursing staff, and therapists to coordinate behavioral health and social work interventions.
Supervision and Staff Development
¿ Supervise and support the Social Services team and Behavioral Health staff, including licensed / unlicensed social workers, and case managers.
¿ Provide clinical guidance, conduct performance evaluations, manage schedules, and mentor staff in ethical, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices.
¿ Coordinate in-service training on topics such as dementia care, PTSD, elder abuse, grief and loss, and effective communication with veterans.


Behavioral Health and Crisis Response
¿ Oversee behavioral health services for residents with mental health diagnoses, substance use history, cognitive impairments, and co-occurring disorders.
¿ Respond to and manage behavioral or emotional crises, providing direct support or coordinating psychiatric evaluations and safety planning.
¿ Ensure proper documentation and communication during episodes of heightened emotional distress, suicidality, or aggressive behavior.
Resident Rights and Advocacy
¿ Champion resident autonomy and informed decision-making; advocate for least-restrictive interventions and ensure care aligns with each resident¿s personal goals and values.
¿ Collaborate with the ombudsman, guardians, and legal representatives to resolve concerns and protect residents¿ rights.
¿ Support residents through ethical dilemmas, end-of-life decisions, and transitions to different levels of care.
Discharge Planning and Community Coordination
¿ Lead discharge planning efforts by coordinating with community providers, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), guardianship services, and family members.
¿ Ensure appropriate referrals and continuity of care for residents transitioning to outpatient services, home settings, or alternative levels of care.
¿ Maintain up-to-date knowledge of community resources, VA benefits, Medicaid, and elder care services to support resident access.
Documentation, Compliance, and Quality Improvement
¿ Maintain accurate and timely documentation in compliance with CMS, state, VA, and facility regulations.
¿ Participate in facility audits, surveys, and quality assurance reviews, addressing deficiencies and implementing corrective action plans as needed.
¿ Analyze trends in social service delivery and resident needs to support program development and policy updates.

Who are the customers?

 
The primary customer are the brave men and women that answered our nations call, executed their duties and now are unable to live in their respective communities due to failing health.  This job will also support the widows of the service men and women to include parents that have lost children in combat (Gold Star Parents)

Ideal Candidate

 
Licensure and Education Holds a current New Mexico license as LISW, LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, LPAT, or LBSW.   Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field
preferred. Experience Minimum 5 years of clinical experience in behavioral health or social services. At least 2 years in a supervisory, leadership, or program management role. Prior experience
in long-term care, VA facilities, or healthcare settings serving older adults and/or veterans. Clinical and Behavioral Health Expertise proficient in psychosocial assessments, Individualized care planning, and trauma-informed care. Skilled in managing mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, dementia, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Strong understanding of
co­ occurring disorders and behavioral health interventions for aging and veteran populations. Veteran-Centered and Trauma­ informed Deep appreciation for military culture and the
unique needs of veterans. Knowledge of VA systems, and benefits.

Minimum Qualification

 
Licensure in New Mexico as an LISW, LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or LPAT and five (5) years of experience in behavioral health, and one (1) year of management experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field above licensure requirements and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required experience.

Substitution Table

 
No job description available

Employment Requirements

 
This position is designated safety sensitive.  Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules, and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing.

Employment is subject to criminal background check pursuant to New Mexico Caregivers Criminal Screening Act, (Sections 29-17-2 through 29-17-5 NMSA 1978 and 7.1.9.1 through 7.1.9.11 NMAC) and is conditional pending results.

Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico driver's license. 

Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.

Successful completion of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.

Must sign and observe confidentiality agreement.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language.

Occasional travel for training & meetings and driving a State of NM owned motor vehicle may be required; Working hours may include weekends, holidays, overtime, and callback hours. Essential functions of the job and specific physical ability requirements will be available at the time of interview or may be obtained at the New Mexico Veterans' Home Human Resources office.

Working Conditions

 
Work is performed in an office setting within a long-term facility with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Walking throughout the facility and frequent communication and interaction with residents, staff, and the public.  Periods of walking, standing, bending pushing, pulling, lifting, and stretching for a variety of activities may be required.  Must be able to function under pressure and stressful situations Health hazards such as exposure to contagious viruses and diseases.  May also include routine exposure to public, fellow employees, and facility resident illness, stressful situation, and bodily fluids, as well as exposure to physical and/or verbal abuse. Occasional travel for training & meetings and driving a State of NM owned motor vehicle may be required; some lifting; extended hours to meet deadlines will be required. Working hours may include on-call, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and callback hours.  Essential functions of the job and physical ability requirements will be available at the time of interview or may be obtained at the New Mexico Veterans' Home Human Resources Office

Supplemental Information

 

Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here

Agency Contact Information: Berna Garcia 575/894-4234 Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

 
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Date Posted
07/11/2025
Job Reference
155705
Organization
Department of Health, State of New Mexico
Location
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
Category
Mental Health/Social Services
Apply Back

Connect with Local, State, and Territorial Health Departments

To find local governmental public health jurisdictions, see - www.naccho.org