Program Operations Specialist

Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the UW School of Medicine is the third largest clinical department within the School of Medicine with 330 full-time faculty members, 460 courtesy faculty members, and over 350 staff. Department faculty provide clinical services in 5 hospitals, 14 primary care locations, and several outpatient sites in addition to telepsychiatry consultations to more than 150 clinics in Washington and beyond. As the only academic psychiatry department serving the five state WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho), the Department's highly competitive residency training program is largely responsible for developing the mental health workforce in the Pacific Northwest. The Department's robust research portfolio totals $67 million in grants and contracts per year for projects ranging from clinical neurosciences to treatment development to health policy and population health. The Department is recognized as an international leader in developing, testing, and implementing Collaborative Care, an integrated care model increasingly seen as a solution for population-based mental health care. Other areas of excellence include Addictions, Autism, High Risk Youth, Neurosciences, and Trauma, and the Department is developing innovative new programs in Technology and Mental Health, Global Mental Health, Maternal and Child Mental Health, and Targeted Intervention Development. Psychiatry is the third largest department in the School of Medicine and the largest non-divisioned department. The overall annual operations funding from all sources is over $130 million.

The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences within the UW School of Medicine currently has an outstanding opportunity for a Temporary Program Operations Specialist.

The Temporary Program Operations Specialist supports the Pacific West Hub of the Center for Mental Health Implementation Support (CMHIS), a national initiative that promotes sustainable implementation of evidence-based practices to improve mental health care. This role is central to coordinating and managing complex project operations, ensuring alignment with contract deliverables, stakeholder needs, and implementation science principles. The Specialist leads operational planning and coordinating complex technical assistance (TA) activities, collaborates with internal and external faculty and coaches, and facilitates the delivery of implementation support across core CMHIS topic areas.

This position involves managing multiple, concurrent technical assistance projects with diverse stakeholders across regional and national systems and requires independent judgment and strategic coordination with TA requesters, consultants, and national partners, often under tight timelines and shifting priorities. The role demands strong project management skills, a high level of expertise in clinical systems, experience with implementation science. The role must ensure responsiveness, quality and consistency across deliverables. Success depends on the ability to synthesize complex information, lead operational planning, and maintain strong relationships with faculty, funders, and national collaborators-all while navigating evolving needs and ensuring alignment with grant objectives.

This position supports a federally funded initiative that strengthens behavioral health systems through the management of technical assistance (TA) projects across HHS Regions 9 and 10. It involves direct engagement with behavioral healthcare organizations, policymakers, and providers, and represents the Pacific West Hub in national workgroups and collaborative efforts. The role includes regular interaction with advisory board members, university colleagues, and national experts. These contributions enhance the University of Washington's reputation and play a critical role in securing future funding, cultivating strategic partnerships, and sustaining CMHIS programming.

This position is hybrid eligible, depending on the location of the candidate hired. This position is expected to attend several remote meetings per week regardless of work location, and needs good internet connectivity during work hours and the ability to navigate remote meeting hosting, launching, etc. Additionally, travel as needed will be required to assist TA or attend important meetings for grants.

Responsibilities

Project Coordination & Management (30%)

• Lead and manage technical assistance (TA) activities by developing and executing project plans, timelines, and deliverables in alignment with contract requirements and implementation science principles.

• Facilitate planning meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

• Conduct feasibility assessments and define project scope and deliverables in collaboration with Hub Co-Directors and CMHIS leadership.

• Coordinate contributions from internal and external partners, monitor progress, and adapt plans to address challenges and evolving needs.

• Participate in Hub and national workgroups to help identify, utilize, and disseminate tools and resources.

Technical Assistance Operations (30%)

• Respond to incoming and proactive TA requests by assessing feasibility, timelines, and alignment with Hub priorities.

• Collaborate with Hub Co-Directors and CMHIS leadership to clarify scope and develop TA workplans.

• Organize and document TA activities, maintain positive relationships with partners and consultants, and ensure consistent, high-quality execution.

• Support logistics for webinars, meetings, and other TA-related events, and maintain documentation aligned with grant and organizational standards.

• Participate in and lead internal team meetings to support coordination and continuous improvement.

• Assist with workgroup deliverables and management.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication (25%)

• Lead and maintain consistent communication with regional and national partners, funders, advisory board members, and university colleagues.

• Represent the Pacific West Hub in national workgroups and CMHIS-wide initiatives, contributing to collaborative efforts that advance the program's mission.

• Provide updates, prepare reports, develop and contribute to presentations and outreach materials that reflect the impact of CMHIS.

• Support relationship-building with organizations, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and engagement across TA activities.

Evaluation & Strategic Development (15%)

• Contribute to evaluation activities by supporting needs assessments, tracking outcomes, and participating in documentation efforts.

• Assist data and evaluation team members and co-directors to inform project progress and impact.

• Support report writing and strategic planning as needed to sustain and expand CMHIS programming and identify future opportunities.

• Contribute to identifying gaps in training resources and emerging implementation challenges to inform future TA efforts.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Mental Health or other related clinical specialty.

• At least 5 years of experience in clinical mental or behavioral health service delivery, which may include experience providing training and technical assistance to service organizations and/or program operations/administration/management in the field.

• Strong organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines and make sound decisions in complex or ambiguous situations.

• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and represent the University in diverse professional settings.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, OneNote, Planner, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), SharePoint, Teams, Zoom, Google suite, Box, and web-based collaboration tools.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired Qualifications

• More than 5 years providing clinical behavioral health service delivery; specific experience managing, designing, or delivering training and technical assistance (including managing remote projects).

• Experience with marketing live, virtual or asynchronous trainings /technical assistance, or post-production roll-out of products/services. Experience with marketing platforms such as Constant Contact.

• Advanced training or coursework in implementation science, public sector systems, or organizational change strategies.

• Experience working with community-based behavioral health programs, especially in a technical assistance or systems improvement capacity.

• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder projects involving government agencies, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.

• Familiarity with federal grant administration, including reporting, compliance, and strategic planning.

• Experience contributing to evaluation activities, including needs assessments, outcome measurement, and continuous quality improvement.

• Experience representing programs or institutions in national initiatives or work groups, ideally related to behavioral health or public health systems.

• Experience developing or contributing to grant proposals for public health or behavioral health initiatives.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$78,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$90,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a temporary position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives - on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81 (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/) .

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.