H-1B Visa Behavioral Health Manager Jobs
Behavioral Health Manager roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related clinical field. Employers in healthcare systems, community mental health centers, and managed care organizations regularly sponsor H-1B workers for these positions.
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The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees at the Department of Public Health work to advance equity, inclusion, and diversity with a specific lens and focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status.
- Application Opening: September 18, 2026
- Application Deadline: Application filing will close on or after October 2, 2026
- Salary: $243,100 and $310,206 annually (Range A)
- Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt
- Recruitment ID: PEX-0943-EXEMPT
- Work Arrangement: Onsite
The Mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. Fulfilling this mission requires employees working across our hospitals, clinics, programs, and offices to deliver services and support the communities we serve. Individuals interested in joining SFDPH should expect to work in person across these settings. The San Francisco Health Network, Population Health, Behavioral Health Services, and Administration are the core divisions of SFDPH. The San Francisco Health Network is the City’s only complete system of care and has locations throughout the City, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and over 15 primary care health centers. The Population Health Division (PHD) provides core public health services for the City and County of San Francisco: health protection, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and disaster preparedness and response. Behavioral Health Services operates in conjunction with SFHN and provides a range of mental health and substance use treatment services. SFDPH is intentionally evolving toward a department-wide, performance-managed operating model, requiring senior leaders who can set direction, drive execution, and deliver results across a highly complex public health and healthcare environment.
Job Description
Tackling the behavioral health and homelessness crisis is one of DPH’s highest priorities. Behavioral Health Services (BHS) advances this mission by expanding treatment and recovery capacity, improving timely access to care, and shaping services around the needs of clients and communities. Major policy changes and public investments give BHS new opportunities to accelerate this work. They create the potential to strengthen the system behind care and make lasting improvements in how San Franciscans access and experience behavioral health services. DPH is seeking an impact-driven Deputy Director for Strategy, Policy, and Operations to help BHS realize this opportunity. The Deputy Director will shape how BHS puts strategy and investment into practice, bringing together divisional resources and partnerships to advance major priorities and strengthen the support behind care.
About The Role
The Deputy Director serves as a senior BHS executive responsible for advancing divisional strategy, policy, and operations. Working with the BHS Director and other Deputy Directors, the position leads strategic budgeting, priority implementation, grant and restricted-fund administration, divisional resource planning, coordination of BHS communications and external affairs, and Behavioral Health Commission support. The Deputy Director works at the divisional level, partnering with DPH’s centralized functions to secure the financial, workforce, technology, facilities, contracting, and other support needed to advance BHS priorities. Success requires sound judgment, political acumen, strategic budgeting expertise, and the ability to build alignment and achieve results across BHS, DPH, City departments, State agencies, elected officials, and community partners.
Key Responsibilities
Advance Strategy and Priorities
- Turn BHS priorities into clear plans, defined accountability, measurable outcomes, and consistent follow-through.
- Lead high-priority policies, grants, investments, and divisional initiatives from planning through implementation.
- Use data and performance information to measure progress, identify risks, and remove barriers.
Align Divisional Resources and Operations
- Align BHS staffing and hiring plans, facilities needs, contracts, funding, and other divisional resources with client needs, strategic priorities, and mandated timelines.
- Lead BHS divisional planning and coordinate with DPH’s enterprise finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, capital planning, and contracting functions to advance BHS priorities.
- Strengthen the divisional operations that allow clinical and program leaders to focus on access, capacity, and quality of care.
Lead Strategic Budgeting and Funding
- Lead BHS strategic budget planning and coordinate with DPH Finance to align divisional resources with BHS priorities.
- Direct divisional planning and administration of Behavioral Health Services Act funding, opioid settlement funds, State and federal grants, and other restricted revenues.
- Connect funding requirements and investment decisions to equity priorities, mandated services, and intended outcomes.
- Ensure that required financial, programmatic, and performance reports are timely, accurate, and complete.
Coordinate BHS Communications and Partnerships
- Coordinate BHS-specific communications with DPH External Affairs, including communications with elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate internal communications so BHS leaders and staff receive clear and timely information about divisional priorities, decisions, implementation, and progress.
- Direct support for the Behavioral Health Commission and ensure timely and responsive engagement.
- Build alignment across BHS, DPH, City departments, the State, and community partners and represent BHS before public and governmental bodies.
The Deputy Director of Behavioral Health Services (0943) may perform other duties as assigned or required.
Why This Role Matters
This role provides the divisional leadership needed to put major policy and funding priorities into practice. By aligning resources, removing barriers, and strengthening supports, the Deputy Director helps clinical and program leaders expand capacity, improve access, advance equity, and deliver better outcomes for San Franciscans.
Qualifications
Education:
Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university AND
Experience:
Four (4) years of managerial experience overseeing operations in health care, behavioral health or a government agency providing social services, all of which must include supervising professionals
Education Substitution:
Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis for up to two (2) years. One year (2,000 hours) of qualifying experience will be considered equivalent to 30 semester units/45 quarter units
Desirable Qualifications
- Senior leadership experience in a complex behavioral health, healthcare, public health, or human-services organization.
- Demonstrated success moving strategy and policy into implementation and measurable results.
- Experience with strategic budgeting, public-sector contracting, grants, restricted funding, facilities, and resource planning.
- Experience using data and performance information to strengthen operations, equity, and accountability.
- Experience presenting to governing bodies, elected officials, government agencies, and community organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to build alignment, navigate competing interests, and achieve results in a highly visible public-sector environment.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. One-year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week).
VERIFICATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education or experience verification is required, information on how to verify education and experience requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note:
Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Additional Information
How to apply:
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted online at careers.sf.gov. Our e-mail communications may come from more than one department so please make sure your email is set to accept messages from all of us at this link. Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment. Please consider using a personal email address that you check regularly rather than a work or school account. Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Selection Process:
The selection process will include an evaluation of application materials against the minimum qualifications. DPH may use additional screening and selection processes to comparatively evaluate candidates before making a final hiring decision.
Additional information regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Information about the Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Workers
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Steven Scoles at steven.scoles@sfdph.org or (628) 271-6828.
We may use text messaging to communicate with you on the phone number provided in your application. By applying, you accept the Trust and Privacy Policy and you may opt out of text messaging anytime.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Company Description
The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees at the Department of Public Health work to advance equity, inclusion, and diversity with a specific lens and focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status.
- Application Opening: September 18, 2026
- Application Deadline: Application filing will close on or after October 2, 2026
- Salary: $243,100 and $310,206 annually (Range A)
- Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt
- Recruitment ID: PEX-0943-EXEMPT
- Work Arrangement: Onsite
The Mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. Fulfilling this mission requires employees working across our hospitals, clinics, programs, and offices to deliver services and support the communities we serve. Individuals interested in joining SFDPH should expect to work in person across these settings. The San Francisco Health Network, Population Health, Behavioral Health Services, and Administration are the core divisions of SFDPH. The San Francisco Health Network is the City’s only complete system of care and has locations throughout the City, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and over 15 primary care health centers. The Population Health Division (PHD) provides core public health services for the City and County of San Francisco: health protection, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and disaster preparedness and response. Behavioral Health Services operates in conjunction with SFHN and provides a range of mental health and substance use treatment services. SFDPH is intentionally evolving toward a department-wide, performance-managed operating model, requiring senior leaders who can set direction, drive execution, and deliver results across a highly complex public health and healthcare environment.
Job Description
Tackling the behavioral health and homelessness crisis is one of DPH’s highest priorities. Behavioral Health Services (BHS) advances this mission by expanding treatment and recovery capacity, improving timely access to care, and shaping services around the needs of clients and communities. Major policy changes and public investments give BHS new opportunities to accelerate this work. They create the potential to strengthen the system behind care and make lasting improvements in how San Franciscans access and experience behavioral health services. DPH is seeking an impact-driven Deputy Director for Strategy, Policy, and Operations to help BHS realize this opportunity. The Deputy Director will shape how BHS puts strategy and investment into practice, bringing together divisional resources and partnerships to advance major priorities and strengthen the support behind care.
About The Role
The Deputy Director serves as a senior BHS executive responsible for advancing divisional strategy, policy, and operations. Working with the BHS Director and other Deputy Directors, the position leads strategic budgeting, priority implementation, grant and restricted-fund administration, divisional resource planning, coordination of BHS communications and external affairs, and Behavioral Health Commission support. The Deputy Director works at the divisional level, partnering with DPH’s centralized functions to secure the financial, workforce, technology, facilities, contracting, and other support needed to advance BHS priorities. Success requires sound judgment, political acumen, strategic budgeting expertise, and the ability to build alignment and achieve results across BHS, DPH, City departments, State agencies, elected officials, and community partners.
Key Responsibilities
Advance Strategy and Priorities
- Turn BHS priorities into clear plans, defined accountability, measurable outcomes, and consistent follow-through.
- Lead high-priority policies, grants, investments, and divisional initiatives from planning through implementation.
- Use data and performance information to measure progress, identify risks, and remove barriers.
Align Divisional Resources and Operations
- Align BHS staffing and hiring plans, facilities needs, contracts, funding, and other divisional resources with client needs, strategic priorities, and mandated timelines.
- Lead BHS divisional planning and coordinate with DPH’s enterprise finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, capital planning, and contracting functions to advance BHS priorities.
- Strengthen the divisional operations that allow clinical and program leaders to focus on access, capacity, and quality of care.
Lead Strategic Budgeting and Funding
- Lead BHS strategic budget planning and coordinate with DPH Finance to align divisional resources with BHS priorities.
- Direct divisional planning and administration of Behavioral Health Services Act funding, opioid settlement funds, State and federal grants, and other restricted revenues.
- Connect funding requirements and investment decisions to equity priorities, mandated services, and intended outcomes.
- Ensure that required financial, programmatic, and performance reports are timely, accurate, and complete.
Coordinate BHS Communications and Partnerships
- Coordinate BHS-specific communications with DPH External Affairs, including communications with elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate internal communications so BHS leaders and staff receive clear and timely information about divisional priorities, decisions, implementation, and progress.
- Direct support for the Behavioral Health Commission and ensure timely and responsive engagement.
- Build alignment across BHS, DPH, City departments, the State, and community partners and represent BHS before public and governmental bodies.
The Deputy Director of Behavioral Health Services (0943) may perform other duties as assigned or required.
Why This Role Matters
This role provides the divisional leadership needed to put major policy and funding priorities into practice. By aligning resources, removing barriers, and strengthening supports, the Deputy Director helps clinical and program leaders expand capacity, improve access, advance equity, and deliver better outcomes for San Franciscans.
Qualifications
Education:
Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university AND
Experience:
Four (4) years of managerial experience overseeing operations in health care, behavioral health or a government agency providing social services, all of which must include supervising professionals
Education Substitution:
Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis for up to two (2) years. One year (2,000 hours) of qualifying experience will be considered equivalent to 30 semester units/45 quarter units
Desirable Qualifications
- Senior leadership experience in a complex behavioral health, healthcare, public health, or human-services organization.
- Demonstrated success moving strategy and policy into implementation and measurable results.
- Experience with strategic budgeting, public-sector contracting, grants, restricted funding, facilities, and resource planning.
- Experience using data and performance information to strengthen operations, equity, and accountability.
- Experience presenting to governing bodies, elected officials, government agencies, and community organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to build alignment, navigate competing interests, and achieve results in a highly visible public-sector environment.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. One-year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week).
VERIFICATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education or experience verification is required, information on how to verify education and experience requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note:
Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Additional Information
How to apply:
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted online at careers.sf.gov. Our e-mail communications may come from more than one department so please make sure your email is set to accept messages from all of us at this link. Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment. Please consider using a personal email address that you check regularly rather than a work or school account. Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Selection Process:
The selection process will include an evaluation of application materials against the minimum qualifications. DPH may use additional screening and selection processes to comparatively evaluate candidates before making a final hiring decision.
Additional information regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Information about the Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Workers
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Steven Scoles at steven.scoles@sfdph.org or (628) 271-6828.
We may use text messaging to communicate with you on the phone number provided in your application. By applying, you accept the Trust and Privacy Policy and you may opt out of text messaging anytime.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
See all 10,866+ H-1B Visa Behavioral Health Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Behavioral Health Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Behavioral Health Manager
Verify your degree aligns with the role
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to behavioral health management. A degree in psychology, social work, or counseling typically qualifies, but a general business degree alone rarely satisfies the specialty occupation standard for this title.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Search Migrate Mate to identify employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for Behavioral Health Manager roles. Employers already in the LCA system understand the H-1B process and are far less likely to withdraw an offer mid-filing.
Confirm licensure requirements before applying
Many Behavioral Health Manager roles require a state clinical license such as an LCSW, LPC, or LMFT. Confirm you hold the license the employer needs before applying, since H-1B approval doesn't substitute for state licensure requirements.
Ask employers about cap-exempt status upfront
Nonprofit mental health centers and federally qualified health centers may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, letting you skip the lottery entirely. Clarify an employer's cap-exempt status during early conversations, not after you've accepted an offer.
Use O*NET to document specialty occupation
The O*NET occupation profile for Behavioral Health Managers lists the typical education and skill requirements USCIS adjudicators reference. Pull the relevant job zone and education data to help your employer's attorney build a stronger specialty occupation argument.
Benchmark your offer against DOL prevailing wage
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your occupation and work location. Run your title and zip code through the OFLC Wage Search before signing an offer to confirm the salary meets the Level I through Level IV threshold for your role.
H-1B Visa Behavioral Health Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Behavioral Health Manager role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the position genuinely requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as psychology, social work, counseling, or a related clinical discipline. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field are harder to qualify. USCIS looks at both the job duties and the employer's stated degree requirement when making this determination.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Behavioral Health Managers?
Hospital systems, managed care organizations, community mental health centers, and substance use treatment networks are among the most active sponsors. Nonprofit behavioral health agencies affiliated with universities or federally qualified health centers may also qualify as cap-exempt employers, which means they can file H-1B petitions year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. You can find employers with verified H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate.
How does state clinical licensure interact with H-1B approval for this role?
USCIS approval and state licensure are separate requirements that must both be satisfied. Your H-1B petition can be approved even if your clinical license is still pending, but your employer cannot legally place you in a role that requires licensure until you hold it. Confirm which licenses the specific position requires before your employer files, since unlicensed practice in behavioral health is a state regulatory violation independent of your visa status.
What happens to my H-1B status if I'm promoted from a clinical role into a Behavioral Health Manager position?
A material change in job duties, title, or work location typically requires your employer to file an amended H-1B petition before you begin performing the new role. Promotion from a direct-care clinician position to a management role with different duties and a new occupational classification almost always qualifies as a material change. USCIS expects the amended petition to be filed proactively, not after the transition has already occurred.
Can I switch employers while my H-1B is active and still work in behavioral health management?
Yes, under H-1B portability rules established by AC21, you can start working for a new employer once they file an H-1B transfer petition on your behalf, without waiting for final approval, as long as your current H-1B has been approved for at least 180 days. The new employer must still file a valid LCA covering your title, location, and prevailing wage before you begin the new role.