Overview

Are you passionate about transforming mental health care and empowering a workforce to deliver high-quality, person-centered services?

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a dynamic Mental Health Workforce Development Director to lead strategic initiatives that promote mental health awareness, workforce development, and practice improvement across the Department's Central Office and State-operated facilities.

In this pivotal role, you will work collaboratively with the staff, leadership, and other state agencies to develop and implement strategies that increase capacity, strengthen staff development, and address complex workforce challenges. You will play a key role in ensuring that DMH professionals are prepared to meet the evolving needs of individuals with serious mental illness and youth with emotional disturbances.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Leading internal workforce development and planning efforts to support a skilled, engaged, and resilient workforce.
• Designing and coordinating training programs in response to regulatory changes and departmental priorities.
• Enhancing recruitment and retention for hard-to-fill roles, with a focus on nursing and clinical staff.
• Building and maintaining communication channels among providers, stakeholders, and government entities to support collaborative service delivery.
• Promoting mental health education and awareness both internally and in partnership with community stakeholders.
• Integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into all workforce-related strategies and activities.
• Monitoring workforce trends, evaluating training outcomes, and aligning programming with operational needs and strategic goals.

The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, strategic planning skills, and a solid background in mental health systems and workforce development. Familiarity with training design, staff engagement strategies, and cross-agency collaboration is essential.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in business administration, health care administration, human resources, mental health, human services field AND two (2) years or more of management, administrative and/or operational experience in a health care or mental health setting.

OR

Bachelor's degree in business administration, health care administration, human resources, mental health, human services field AND four (4) years or more of management, administrative and/or operational experience in a health care or mental health setting.

OR

Associate’s degree in business administration, health care administration, human resources, mental health, human services field AND six (6) years or more of management, administrative and/or operational experience in a health care or mental health setting.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience and knowledge in workforce development and talent acquisition, especially in a health care setting. 

Mental health setting preferred.

About Vermont Department of Mental Health

Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) Promoting mental health, resilience, and recovery across Vermont. The Vermont Department of Mental Health is the state’s lead agency for mental health policy, services, and systems development. We work in partnership with community providers, families, and individuals to ensure all Vermonters have access to high-quality, compassionate, and recovery-oriented mental health care. Our team supports a broad continuum of care across the state—from crisis services to inpatient treatment, prevention to long-term recovery. DMH directly operates two state-run facilities and oversees the broader mental health system through funding, oversight, and collaboration with Designated Agencies, hospitals, and community partners. We are committed to fostering a supportive workplace culture that values compassion, inclusion, accountability, and innovation. We believe mental health is a cornerstone of well-being—and that begins with investing in our people. Join us in making a difference across Vermont.

Connections working at Vermont Department of Mental Health