The Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Care and Treatment Services (DCTS) is recruiting to fill a full-time Forensic Programs Quality Specialist in the Bureau of Community Forensic Services (BCFS). BCFS promotes healthy living and protects public safety through the management and support of programs for adults with histories of criminal offenses and mental health and substance use concerns.

DCTS manages and supports seven care and treatment facilities for people living with psychiatric disorders and intellectual disabilities, community mental health and substance use services, community mental health and substance use treatment services for people in the criminal legal system, and the protection of client rights for people receiving services for intellectual disabilities, mental health, and substance use.

We offer the option to work remotely up to 5 days per week, but you will need to go to the office periodically for meetings, training, onboarding, and other operational needs. You can be headquartered at one of the central or regional office buildings throughout the state. 

As an employee of the state of Wisconsin, you'll have access to an amazing benefits package, including:

• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time; limitations may apply for leave time usage in the first six months.
• Top rated health plan options starting at $47/month for single plans and $117/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service. 
• Exceptional pension plan with a 7.25% employer match in 2027 with lifetime retirement payment. Plus, a tax advantaged supplemental retirement savings plan which allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement. Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!  
• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High-Deductible Health Savings.
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

As the Outpatient Competency Program Coordinator, you will provide statewide guidance and leadership in managing the treatment and services for individuals in the Outpatient Competency to Stand Trial Restoration Program (OCRP). OCRP is responsible for providing treatment to competency in a variety of outpatient/non-institutional settings for individuals who are committed to DHS pursuant to §971.14(5).  You will serve as the content expert on areas of outpatient competency and DHS liaison for matters related to commitment under 971.14 but must also specialize in the entire continuum of care and must also be familiar with §971.14 - 971.17, Chapter 51, and Chapter 55. This program may also be assigned responsibilities related to jail-based forensics programming and other forensic programs as needed.

Responsibilities include: 

• Program administration including developing program goals/objectives based on accepted best practices and evidence-based practices used in the provision of treatment of individuals in the forensic mental health system.
• Identifying strategies to achieve program objectives, developing contracts based on program goals/implementation strategies, providing clinical consultation and oversight of the programs, associated treatment, associated contracts, and overseeing the program budgets.
• Maintaining current research on evidence-based/best practices in the coordinated services system and engaging diverse partners to collaborate on system improvement. 
• Serving as the primary contact for training and technical assistance on OCRP requirements, associated statutes, and diversion opportunities to partners including contracted providers, counties/tribes, law enforcement, jails, community-based behavioral health, the Department of Corrections, Division of Medicaid Services, and court personnel. 
• Developing, administering, monitoring, and evaluating contract service delivery using data to make program decisions and collaboratively engage in the quality improvement process to enhance service delivery. 

The starting pay is between $38.00 and $43.00 per hour (approximately between $79,000 and $89,400 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. A 12-month probationary period is required. 

Pay for current or former employees is based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction. This position is classified as a Human Services Program Coordinator - Senior and is in pay schedule/range 07/03.

• All applicants who may be appointed will be required to allow DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.
• To work remotely, employees must have access to both a private workspace and secure high-speed internet.
• Mileage reimbursement to the employee’s headquarter location is not provided.
• For positions that allow remote working flexibility, working outside of Wisconsin or in bordering cities will not be allowed except in extremely limited circumstances due to the need to report to an office location in Wisconsin on short notice.
• DHS does not sponsor work visas for this position, thus, in compliance with federal law, selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire. DHS is not an E-Verify employer nor a STEM-OPT eligible employer.

Minimally qualified applicants will have all the following:

• Experience providing assessment and treatment services to forensic mental health populations with complex needs (e.g., mental health, substance use, cognitive, developmental, medical, etc.).
• Experience providing training, consultation, or technical assistance on forensic mental health topics to a variety of partners in the behavioral health/criminal legal system (e.g. courts, counties, law enforcement, jails, hospitals, etc.). 
• Experience with county or civil mental health service delivery programs or laws (e.g., Chapter 51, Chapter 54/55, Comprehensive Community Services (CCS), Community Support Programs (CSP), etc.).
• Experience planning, coordinating, facilitating, leading, or overseeing quality improvement projects or work groups with multiple participants.

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or more of the following:

• Experience performing leadership duties (e.g. assigning/delegating work responsibilities, coaching and mentoring staff members, providing formal training to others, serving as a subject matter expert, etc.).
• Experience administering or processing contracts (e.g., developing procurements, monitoring and evaluating performance, ensuring compliance, implementing corrective actions, monitoring budget, etc.).
• Experience researching and interpreting federal or state regulations, best practices, and funding opportunities and developing policies or procedures that comply with the regulations, best practices, and funding requirements.

Your resume and letter of qualifications are each limited to two (2) pages. For a guide on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here. 

Applying is easy! Click “Apply for Job” to start the application process.  Sign into your account or create an account before applying for the job. Follow the steps outlined in the application process to submit your application. 

Helpful Information: 

• Once an application is submitted, no changes are allowed. Click “Save” to allow changes to your application as needed before submitting by the deadline. 
• You may want to save a copy of the job posting for reference after the deadline.
• Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts according to the qualifications above. 
• Please monitor your email for communications related to this position. 
• Current or former permanent, classified, state employees must complete the online application process to be considered. 
• Current employees will need multifactor authentication (e.g., YubiKey, etc.) to access employee application system.
• If viewing through an external site, please apply directly at Wisc.Jobs.
• For technical assistance and general information, please see Frequently Asked Questions. For questions about the position, to request a copy of the full position description, or for other employment inquiries, please contact Shannon Kavorik in Human Resources at Shannon.kavorik@dhs.wi.gov. 

DHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on Veterans’ hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran’s Affairs, click here.

The deadline to apply is November 12 at 11:59 PM.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is not available after 4:30 PM on the deadline date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.