Chief Operations Officer (COO) - Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) employs over 2,800 staff across six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office in Columbus. DBH is an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace committed to a stigma‑free, inclusive culture that supports wellness, second‑chance hiring, and recovery‑informed policies. The Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare serves as a strategic leader responsible for shaping and optimizing the hospital’s operational backbone, directing plant operations, communications, property management, safety and health programs, facility engineering, and food services to ensure a safe, therapeutic, and resource‑efficient environment.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Oversees all plant operations including communications, property management, safety and health programs, facility engineering, and food services. Creates and executes plans for effective resource use. Reviews and approves equipment purchases and coordinates major property‑management spending. Advises administrators on equipment, communication needs, and operational matters.
• Supervision and Staff Management: Leads department managers and provides day‑to‑day direction to assigned staff. Handles hiring, discipline, performance issues, and training. Ensures all supervised areas follow department policies, state and federal laws, and union agreements.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures departments are fully prepared for CMS and The Joint Commission (TJC) surveys. Assists other departments with inspection readiness and develops policies and procedures that support compliance.
• Capital Planning and Facility Development: Leads capital planning including bed‑capacity projections, unit placement, and therapeutic‑environment improvements. Collaborates with architects, planners, and maintenance teams on construction, repairs, and major improvements. Develops building configuration plans, manages equipment procurement, and oversees building closures while meeting all patient standards and regulations.
• Strategic Planning and Coordination: Coordinates development, implementation, and monitoring of the hospital’s operational plan. Serves on the NBH Hospital Executive Committee (HEC). Represents the hospital in meetings with federal, state, and local officials on capital planning and related topics.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following two pathways, plus the additional experience requirements below.

Pathway 1 — Programmatic Positions

• Completion of an undergraduate core program in mental health & developmental disabilities technology, social work, child & family services, special education, psychology, or rehabilitation; OR 24 months experience assessing consumers'/residents' needs and abilities as part of an interdisciplinary team and developing habilitation/treatment plans for persons who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled.
• 12 months training or experience in federal and state regulations governing care, custody, treatment, programming, and environment of consumers/residents in state facilities and community programs.
• 6 months training in budgeting and spending OR 6 months experience determining budget and spending for an operational unit or program.

Pathway 2 — Administrative Staff Positions

• Completion of an undergraduate core program in business administration/management sciences; OR 12 months experience in program and policy development for an operational unit or program and monitoring implementation.
• 12 months training in budgeting and spending OR 12 months experience determining budgetary needs and spending for an operational unit or program.

Additional Requirements (apply to both pathways)

• 6 months training in manpower planning OR 6 months experience scheduling personnel for adequate coverage and making staff projections.
• 3 months training in employee training and development OR 3 months experience writing training materials or conducting training.

Alternative: 6 months experience as Mental Health Administrator 5 (classification 65225) OR an equivalent combination of education and experience meeting the above minimums.

Official transcripts are required for all post‑secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Transcripts must be submitted within five business days of request; website printouts are not accepted.

Compensation

Hourly rate: $48.93/hour (Step 1 of the E1 Exempt Pay Range Schedule, pay range 16). Opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and annual raises thereafter.

Schedule

Permanent, full‑time. Standard hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm (flexible schedule; additional information notes 8:00 am–5:00 pm).

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after eligibility period
• Paid time off: vacation, personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster‑care leave
• Education and development opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, etc.)
• Public retirement systems (OPERS, STRS, SERS, HPRS) and optional deferred compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Benefits eligibility depends on multiple factors; the agency contact can provide specifics for this position.

Location & Contact

Work site: 1756 Sagamore Road, Northfield, Ohio 44067, United States.
Agency contact: Stone Adams — stone.adams@dbh.ohio.gov.