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. DLR Group operates within a hybrid work model, supporting flexibility between office time and work from home. DLR Group has a network of 30+ studios across the United States.

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
• Support cost estimation and phasing strategies for behavioral health implementations
• Develop post-occupancy evaluation criteria for behavioral health spaces
• 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, 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
• Knowledge of trauma-informed design principles and evidence-based practice
• Understanding of clinical workflows and operational requirements
• Understanding of telehealth and technology supported treatment systems
• Knowledge 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
• Professional certification in healthcare planning or behavioral health
• Experience in behavioral health facility planning
• AICP or other relevant certification
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, MS Office Suite, and Adobe Creative Suite
• Background in therapeutic environment design or clinical operations
• Familiarity with Behavioral Health system operations and procedures
• Experience with secure facility design and planning
• Knowledge of correctional healthcare standards and guidelines
• Understanding of behavioral health economics and facility operations
• Research experience in behavioral health environments
• Publishation 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