Behavioral Health Standards Surveyor - PN 20038139
Job Description
Behavorial Health Standards Surveyor
Who we are:
At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.
We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio’s prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio.
DBH Values:
· Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
· Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
· Value Driven
· Innovative (Yes Before No)
· Strong Sense of Urgency
Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.
The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.
Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.
What you’ll do at DBH:
We are seeking a detail-oriented and mission-driven Behavioral Standards Health Surveyor to evaluate community mental health and alcohol, drug, and other addiction service providers, including residential facilities. This role ensures that providers comply with applicable licensure and certification regulations and supports continuous improvement in the quality of care delivered across the behavioral health system.
Key Responsibilities
Licensure & Certification Compliance
- Evaluate community behavioral health providers and residential facilities for compliance with state licensure and certification rules.
- Review licensure or certificate applications and supporting documents for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with regulatory requirements.
- Conduct on-site surveys to assess adherence to applicable rules and standards.
- Identify areas of non-compliance and recommend corrective actions.
- Monitor progress on corrective action plans through documentation reviews and follow-up surveys.
- Investigate incident reports and complaints to determine regulatory impact.
- Provide or recommend technical assistance in response to identified non-compliance.
- Make recommendations for issuance, denial, or revocation of licenses or certificates.
Documentation & Reporting
- Prepare detailed reports, including tracking logs, written findings letters, and travel expense documentation.
- Assemble licensure/certification survey packets containing task sheets, interview forms, focus review documents, and clinical record checklists.
- Conduct unannounced or validation surveys as assigned.
Program Development & Standards Expertise
- Participate in training sessions and meetings to promote consistent interpretation and application of rules.
- Assist in developing survey tools, checklists, and other licensure/certification resources.
- Recommend updates or revisions to rules, standards, and processes.
- Identify systemic issues related to surveying and propose practical solutions.
- Develop specialized expertise in designated standards areas (e.g., mental health, substance use treatment, integrated care, residential care, incident reporting, medication standards).
- Contribute to the ongoing review and improvement of clinical standards, policies, procedures, and documentation requirements (e.g., assessments, treatment plans, progress notes).
- Provide subject-matter expertise in areas such as mental health, substance use disorders, dual diagnosis treatment, or residential standards.
This is an hourly position covered by the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of 12 on the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. This position is located within our Office of Licensure and Certification at the James Rhodes State Office Tower, 30 East Broad Street, 33rd floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
24 mos. exp. in delivery of health/human services; 24 mos. exp. in certification (e.g., review of written applications for compliance with rules & regulations) or 24 mos. exp. in mental health or alcohol & drug addiction practice; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in coordination or development of mental health &/or alcohol & drug treatment &/or prevention services; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in administration or operation of regulations &/or standards governing programming & environment in mental health, alcohol & drug treatment &/or prevention services or related facilities; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. writing technical reports, providing consultation, technical assistance &/or training to groups concerning program development &/or interpretation & implementation of rules, standards, policies & guidelines for mental health or related issues; must be able to provide own transportation.
-Or Completion of undergraduate core program in human services area, mental health & developmental disabilities technology, social work or comparable field (e.g., child & family community services, alcohol & drug addiction, psychology, sociology, nursing); 24 mos. exp. in certification (e.g., review of written applications for compliance with rules & regulations) or 24 mos. exp. in mental health or alcohol & drug addiction practice; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in coordination or development of mental health &/or alcohol & drug treatment &/or prevention services; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in administration or operation of regulations &/or standards governing programming & environment in mental health, alcohol & drug treatment &/or prevention services or related facilities; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. writing technical reports, providing consultation, technical assistance &/or training to groups concerning program development &/or interpretation & implementation of rules, standards, policies & guidelines for mental health or related issues; must be able to provide own transportation.
-Or equivalent of Minimum Qualifications For Employment noted above.
All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, active disciplinary record, and work record.
Primary Job Skill: Regulatory Compliance Assessment
Technical Skills: Behavioral Health,Technical Writing, Regulatory Compliance
Professional Skills: Consultation, Attention to Detail
Required Educational Transcripts
Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.
Application Procedures
To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.
Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at [email protected] or 614-466-8884.
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.