Medicaid and Non-Medicaid Benefits Program Manager, Project/Program Manager III

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community.

At King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), we believe in working as one team that solves problems—striving to be customer-focused and drive for the best results. We envision a welcoming community that is racially just. We believe the field of human services exists to undo and mitigate unfair structures. We seek to lead the way by working as respectful and responsible stewards for our community.

The Medicaid and Non-Medicaid Benefits Program Manager, Project/Program Manager III, in the Utilization Management and Clinical Coordination section of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD), plays a critical role in helping King County residents access Medicaid and non-Medicaid Behavioral Health benefits and stewarding King County’s behavioral health investments for non-Medicaid mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) outpatient services.

This position supports King County Behavioral Health providers by organizing resources and delivering technical assistance to help them guide individuals through Medicaid and non-Medicaid benefit processes. The role focuses on assisting providers with activities such as helping individuals qualify for initial Medicaid coverage, supporting individuals in meeting federal requirements for Medicaid renewal, facilitating “spenddowns” to initiate Medicaid eligibility, and connecting individuals to non-Medicaid benefits. They are a critical connector across providers, BHRD internal teams, and system partners—facilitating alignment, resolving operational issues, and ensuring consistent implementation of policies, procedures, and contract requirements related to Medicaid and non-Medicaid enrollment. The position will entail highly detailed and technical work, assisting with development and monitoring compliance with complex processes and system navigation, allowing for improved access to critical benefits for those with significant behavioral health care needs.

This position also oversees the MIDD funded non-Medicaid program, with an annual budget of more than $12 million. This position ensures that these limited non-Medicaid resources are used effectively, equitably, and in alignment with King County’s commitment to a racially just, person centered behavioral health system. This role is responsible for managing and monitoring the non-Medicaid outpatient budget, overseeing program operations, and ensuring providers have the guidance, tools, and support needed to deliver non-Medicaid services.

The position reports to the Utilization Management and Clinical Coordination Section Manager and functions as a subject matter lead for Medicaid enrollment and non-Medicaid program operations, provider support, and internal coordination. The Medicaid and Non-Medicaid Benefits Program Manager, Project/Program Manager III ensures that program expectations are clear, workflows are consistent, and spending aligns with established strategic priorities and contractual obligations.

This recruitment is to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position that is anticipated to be three (3) years in duration. If filled by a King County employee who has passed their initial probation, the TLT will be as a Special Duty Assignment (SDA).

To be considered minimally qualified applicant must demonstrate a background that provides the knowledge, skills and ability to:

WE ARE LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE:

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of Washington State BH-ASO and KCICN structures and related regulatory frameworks.
• Experience with King County behavioral health providers or contracted agency operations.
• Medicaid eligibility and enrollment expertise, including spenddown processes, coverage pathways, and navigation of complex cases.
• Experience resolving Medicaid enrollment barriers or supporting complex eligibility cases.
• Experience managing budgets or financial processes.
• Experience facilitating meetings with diverse stakeholders, including providers, internal teams, and system partners.
• Experience conducting contract compliance monitoring for behavioral health providers.
• Quality improvement or process redesign experience.
• Program data analysis experience to inform operational decisions.
• Qualified behavioral health credential — Current and active Mental Health Professional (MHP) as defined in WAC 71.34, 18.225, 18.19, and 18.83 and RCW 71.05.020; or a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) as defined in WAC 246-811-010 and RCW 18.205.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

• This position has been designated Non-Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
• This Utilization Management and Clinical Coordination Section of BHRD works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is Chinook, 401 5^th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
  
  King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

• This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm.
• This position is not represented by a union.
• Classification: Project/Program Manager IV

WHO MAY APPLY:
This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews for this selection process will take place on or around November 4, 2026. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must submit an online King County application and respond to the supplemental questions. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the requested and relevant information in the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state, "see my resume" are considered incomplete and will not be considered to be competitive. If you have any questions, please contact Phitsamai Xaxouthep, [email protected].

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Phitsamai Xaxouthep, [email protected]. 

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.