Behavioral Health Design Leader
About the role
We are seeking an experienced Behavioral Health Design Leader to join DLR Group's Justice + Civic national practice. In this role, you will lead the planning and design of facilities that promote healing, equity, and transformation through behavioral health-focused design solutions.
Responsibilities
- Collaboratively work with integrated teams of architects, engineers and specialty consultants
- Lead preliminary planning and design for behavioral health facilities within community, justice and civic environments
- Create functional layouts integrating therapeutic design principles, de-escalation strategies, and security requirements
- Develop evidence-based design solutions to support mental health treatment, recovery and reintegration
- Design adult crisis, sobering, substance use and residential treatment centers
- Ensure designs promote client and staff safety while maintaining a therapeutic environment
- Apply sustainable design practices and WELL building standards to behavioral health spaces
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate specialized security and safety features
- Integrate trauma informed design strategies
- Design spaces that balance clinical requirements with trauma-informed care principles
- Conduct facility assessments and develop programming recommendations
- Create detailed space planning documentation and design guidelines
- Lead stakeholder engagement sessions and facilitate design workshops
- Provide technical expertise on behavioral health design standards and best practices
- Mentor team members on behavioral health design principles
- Contribute to research initiatives and thought leadership in justice behavioral health design
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in architecture, planning, interior design, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in behavioral health facility planning or related healthcare design
- Strong understanding of mental health treatment modalities and substance use programs
- Knowledgeable of Behavioral Health funding initiatives at state and local levels
- Understanding of trauma-informed design principles and evidence-based practice
- Understanding of clinical workflows and operational requirements
- Knowledge of telehealth and technology supported treatment systems
- Understanding of behavioral healthcare design standards and building regulations
- Experience with public sector projects and stakeholder engagement
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in psychology, behavioral science, architecture, planning, or related field
- AICP or other relevant certification
- Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, MS Office Suite, and Adobe Creative Suite
- Experience in behavioral health facility planning
- Familiarity with Behavioral Health system operations and procedures
- Experience with secure facility design and planning
- Understanding of correctional healthcare standards and guidelines
- Understanding of behavioral health economics and facility operations
- Research experience in behavioral health environments
- Publication history in relevant professional journals
- Experience with grant writing and funding applications
- Crisis prevention intervention (CPI) certification
- Mental Health First Aid certification
- Professional affiliation with behavioral health organizations
Benefits
Our comprehensive Benefits at DLR Group include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401(k) plan, employee stock ownership, and bonus opportunities. Compensation considerations are based on location, experience, and skills. The suggested pay range for this position is: Pay Range $140,000 - $170,000 USD
Pay & Schedule
The suggested pay range for this position is: Pay Range $140,000 - $170,000 USD
Schedule
DLR Group follows a four-day in-office work model, with employees having the flexibility to work somewhere other than the office on Fridays.