Senior Behavioral Health Training Specialist – Recovery and Community Supports in Silver Spring, Maryland at Altarum Institute
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Job Description
Senior Behavioral Health Training Specialist Recovery and Community Supports
We’re excited to share an upcoming opportunity pending a contract award and are connecting with qualified candidates in advance. Once we identify the right candidate, we anticipate extending a contingent offer, with employment dependent on final award confirmation and funding.
At Altarum, we’re driven by a simple but powerful mission: improving the health of individuals with fewer financial resources and populations underserved by the healthcare system. We partner with federal and state agencies to design and deliver solutions that make a real, measurable difference.
As the Senior Behavioral Health Training Specialist, you'll design and deliver high-quality training and coaching to clinical and non-clinical staff, with a primary focus on disability benefits access (SSI/SSDI) for individuals with behavioral health and physical health needs, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders. Beyond disability benefits training, you'll also support workforce development for other behavioral health programs and initiatives, helping agencies strengthen service delivery, improve outcomes, and build lasting capacity.
You'll work closely with internal teams, community partners, and stakeholders — including the Social Security Administration, state agencies, behavioral health providers, and community organizations — to make sure training initiatives take hold and last. You'll also contribute to business development activities that help grow Altarum's training programs and expand our impact.
Training Delivery and Facilitation
- Lead trainings for clinical and non-clinical staff on disability benefits access processes and other behavioral health programs and initiatives.
- Develop and adapt training curricula and materials using adult learning principles.
- Coach agencies and provide technical assistance to improve the quality and success rate of benefits applications.
- Evaluate training effectiveness and recommend improvements based on feedback and outcomes.
Technical Expertise
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of SSI/SSDI programs, disability determination processes, and recovery-oriented behavioral health practices.
- Help integrate evidence-informed practices and program evaluation findings into training content.
- Guide agencies on tracking outcomes and pursuing continuous quality improvement.
- Support business development by contributing insights and assisting with proposals as needed.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with the Social Security Administration, state agencies, behavioral health providers, and community organizations to support the implementation and sustainability of training initiatives.
- Serve as a go-to resource for staff and leadership on disability benefit processes and best practices.
- Engage individuals with lived experience to keep trainings person-centered, culturally responsive, and relevant.
Continuous Improvement and Collaboration
- Help develop training resources, toolkits, and guides for statewide use.
- Collaborate with other trainers and project teams to share best practices and identify improvements.
- Support ongoing quality improvement and standardization of training practices across the state.
- Experience delivering training, coaching, or technical assistance using adult learning principles.
- 3–7 years of experience in behavioral health, recovery supports, or related social services.
- 10+ years of experience assisting individuals and families — including adults, children, and military veterans — with applying for SSI/SSDI and other disability benefits.
- Experience navigating Social Security's Work Incentive programs.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create clear, accessible training materials.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to translate complex processes into practical guidance and actionable steps.
- Strong networking skills and the ability to gain buy-in from key stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel as needed to deliver in-person trainings.
- Experience leading a team in training, coaching, or technical assistance activities.
Remote with occasional in-person collaboration days
Willing to travel up to 10–15% of the time to deliver in-person trainings.
If you’re near one of our offices (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.
Work Eligibility & Requirements- 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: <10%
At Altarum, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors and rely on market indicators to get it right. Individual compensation packages are based on numerous factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. This salary range is not a guarantee of compensation, as the final offer amount will vary based on these factors.
In addition to base salary compensation, Altarum Enterprise employees enjoy the following benefits:
- Competitive Medical, Dental and Optical plans
- Generous Paid Time Off, 8 Company observed holidays plus 3 floating holidays
- Tuition Assistance
- 401K Plan (3% employer contribution plus opportunity for gainsharing)
- Life, AD&D & Disability coverage
- A flexible work environment and more!
Altarum is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of individuals with fewer financial resources and populations disenfranchised by the health care system. We work primarily on behalf of federal and state governments to design and implement solutions that achieve measurable results. We combine our expertise in public health and health care delivery with technology development and implementation, practice transformation, training and technical assistance, quality improvement, data analytics, and applied research and evaluation. Our innovative solutions and proven processes lead to better value and health for all.
Altarum is an equal opportunity employer that provides employment and opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
$88,389 - $106,676.85 a year