Behavioral Health Trainer & Technical Assistance Specialist - San Diego, California

We’re looking for a Trainer & Technical Assistance Specialist who is passionate about strengthening behavioral health systems, supporting community-based organizations, and helping providers build the skills and confidence needed to deliver effective, culturally responsive care.

Training & Curriculum Development

Design, develop, and continuously update training curricula and materials focused on evidence-based practices for substance use disorder treatment, co-occurring mental illness, and integrated dual-diagnosis care

Tailor training content to the needs, capacity levels, service models, and populations served by community-based organizations

Deliver engaging, competency-based trainings and learning collaborative sessions in multiple formats, including in-person workshops, webinars, asynchronous modules, and communities of practice

Translate emerging evidence, state guidance, and best practices into practical, accessible training content for behavioral health providers and CBO staff

Incorporate training feedback, fidelity data, and outcome measures into ongoing curriculum improvement in partnership with the Evaluation & QI Lead

Technical Assistance & Capacity Building

Provide ongoing, individualized technical assistance to an assigned caseload of community-based organizations across San Diego County

Coach CBO staff on the practical application of evidence-based practices, clinical workflows, and quality improvement strategies

Conduct organizational and workforce needs assessments to identify training and TA priorities specific to each organization’s population, staffing, and service model

Support CBOs in strengthening clinical and organizational capacity to deliver effective, culturally responsive behavioral health services

Build and maintain trusted, collaborative relationships with CBO leadership and direct service staff to encourage sustained engagement with training and TA offerings

Behavioral Health Systems Support

Stay current on the evidence base and California-specific guidance for SUD and co-occurring disorder treatment, including ASAM Criteria, Medi-Cal/CalAIM requirements, and DHCS guidance

Support the integration of peer support specialists and community health workers into clinical teams, including role-specific training on scope of practice and supervision models

Represent the TTA Center at community meetings, coalitions, and provider convenings to promote available trainings and TA resources

Document training attendance, TA contacts, outcomes, and related activities in required tracking systems for funder reporting

Contribute to other behavioral health training and TA projects as organizational needs and opportunities evolve

We’re looking for someone who brings strong behavioral health expertise, excellent facilitation skills, and a relationship-centered approach to training and technical assistance.

The ideal candidate is:

A strong trainer and facilitator who can make complex behavioral health content practical, engaging, and accessible

Experienced in substance use disorder treatment, co-occurring mental illness, and evidence-based practices

Comfortable coaching providers and CBO staff through real-world implementation challenges

Skilled at building credibility and trust with community partners, clinical teams, and organizational leaders

Responsive, collaborative, and organized in managing multiple relationships, trainings, and deliverables

Able to adapt communication and facilitation style for varied audiences, roles, literacy levels, and organizational contexts

Professionally mature, emotionally intelligent, and thoughtful in navigating complex community and behavioral health systems

Committed to continuous learning, feedback, and contributing to a positive, collegial, high-performing team culture

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, public health, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, licensure, and direct experience in SUD/co-occurring disorder treatment

Minimum of 5 years of direct clinical or programmatic experience in substance use disorder treatment and co-occurring mental illness

Hands-on experience applying evidence-based practices in behavioral health settings

Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating trainings, workshops, or learning collaboratives for behavioral health providers or CBO staff

Working knowledge of California’s Medi-Cal and CalAIM behavioral health delivery systems and how they apply to CBOs providing SUD and mental health services

Familiarity with California’s peer support specialist certification requirements and community health worker benefit and role structures

Strong facilitation, coaching, public speaking, relationship-building, and communication skills

Existing credibility within San Diego’s behavioral health or community-based organization community

Ability to be based in San Diego County and travel locally to CBO sites

Flexibility and interest in contributing to other behavioral health training and TA projects as capacity and organizational needs evolve

Preferred qualifications include:

Licensure as an LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or similar, or certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor, CADC, or equivalent

Bilingual or multilingual skills, particularly languages relevant to San Diego’s behavioral health populations

Prior experience providing technical assistance or capacity-building support to CBOs, FQHCs, or county behavioral health providers

Experience with instructional design principles and adult learning theory

Familiarity with the ASAM Criteria and dual-diagnosis treatment models

Existing relationships with County Behavioral Health Services, Managed Care Plans, 211 San Diego/the Community Information Exchange, or San Diego behavioral health coalitions and provider associations

Lived experience related to behavioral health, substance use recovery, or the communities served

At Altarum, your work will support community-based organizations that are helping individuals and families access critical behavioral health services across San Diego County.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Lead meaningful training and technical assistance efforts that strengthen behavioral health systems

Help community-based organizations build the capacity to deliver effective, culturally responsive care

Translate evidence-based practices and California behavioral health guidance into practical tools providers can use

Build trusted relationships with CBOs, providers, and community partners

Collaborate with a mission-driven team that values integrity, accountability, humility, continuous growth, and excellence

Contribute to broader behavioral health initiatives as Altarum’s work continues to grow

If you’re an experienced behavioral health trainer, coach, and capacity-builder who wants to help strengthen services for underserved communities, we’d love to hear from you.

Remote in San Diego, CA

If you’re near one of our offices (Arlington, VA; Silver Spring, MD; or Novi, MI), you’ll be Hybrid and will join us in person one day every other month (6 times per year) for a fun, purpose-driven Collaboration Day. These days are filled with creative energy, meaningful connection, and team brainstorming.

Non-local employees will join these days virtually and may be asked to join us occasionally in-person.

Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States; sponsorship is not available.

All work must be performed within the continental U.S. for the duration of employment, unless required by contract.

Ability to work core hours aligned with Eastern Time, unless otherwise approved by your manager.

Remote employees must maintain a dedicated, ergonomically appropriate workspace free from distractions, with reliable internet and a mobile device that supports efficient work.

Travel Requirements: <15%