Behavioral Health Director

Position Overview: The Behavioral Health Director is a licensed independent practitioner at the master's level who provides strategic leadership and clinical oversight for behavioral health services. Working under the Chief Executive Officer, this role ensures high-quality, accessible, and cost-effective behavioral health care. The Director leads clinical teams, manages departmental operations, collaborates across integrated care teams, and provides direct psychotherapy services to support individuals, children, adolescents, families, and groups.

What You Will Do:

• Provide leadership, supervision, and direction to all behavioral health staff, including counselors and support personnel.
• Oversee daily operations of the Behavioral Health Department to ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance with organizational goals.
• Ensure adherence to all applicable policies, procedures, and regulations at the organizational, state, federal, and local levels.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and program directors to maintain accessible and affordable behavioral health services.
• Serve as liaison between Behavioral Health and administration, as well as external community partners.
• Monitor productivity and performance through reporting systems and ensure alignment with organizational expectations.
• Manage department budgets and ensure cost-effective operations.
• Provide psychotherapy and counseling services to individuals, children, adolescents, families, and couples as needed.
• Deliver brief interventions and warm handoffs in coordination with medical providers to support integrated care.
• Foster strong interdisciplinary collaboration with medical and behavioral health teams.
• Build and maintain community partnerships to ensure continuity of care and service coordination.
• Supervise staff performance, including evaluations, disciplinary actions, and professional development planning.
• Lead recruitment efforts, including chairing interview panels and onboarding new staff.
• Provide orientation, training, and ongoing mentorship to behavioral health staff.
• Ensure clinical quality through peer review processes and adherence to professional standards.
• Maintain employee personnel records in accordance with HR policies.
• Ensure compliance with confidentiality laws and ethical standards, including HIPAA and Privacy Act regulations.
• Participate in organizational meetings, strategic planning, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Attend required trainings and support staff development efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field.
• Licensed in the State of New Mexico as an Independent Practitioner (e.g., LISW, LPCC, or equivalent).
• Minimum of five years of experience in a behavioral health setting, including clinical practice and program administration.
• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification.
• Completion of TST test and Hepatitis B vaccination or approved waiver.
• Proficiency in electronic health record (EHR) systems and standard computer applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, email).
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, leadership, and community partners.
• Valid New Mexico driver's license, reliable transportation, and current vehicle insurance.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and provide clinical and administrative oversight.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience serving as a director or manager of a behavioral health program.
• Experience working within an integrated healthcare team.
• Knowledge of Hispanic culture and culturally responsive care practices.
• Experience with insurance billing and reimbursement processes.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to balance, bend, lift, carry, and pull up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods, typically longer than four hours.
• Manual dexterity and ability to use hands and fingers for feeling, grasping, and operating office equipment.
• Adequate hearing ability for communication and monitoring office environments.
• Good vision for reading documents, operating office equipment, and observing surroundings.
• Capability to stoop, crouch, crawl, or kneel as necessary for office tasks.
• Ability to talk clearly and effectively for communication.
• Ability to walk and move around the office environment.

Exposures:

• Odors, fumes, toxicants, explosive materials and chemicals
• Muscular and muscular strain
• Airborne Pathogens
• Blood borne Pathogens-Category I
• Chemicals
• Vision and hearing strain
• Noise
• Electrical current; machine vibration; moving parts.
• Temperature

What We Offer:

• $10,000 sign on bonus distributed between two payments
• $2,500 for moving expenses
• In-house training and CEUs and Education Reimbursement

• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Eligibility for student loan repayment programs.
• 7 Paid Federal Holidays
• Paid Sick Time
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 100% Employer-Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Voluntary Supplemental Benefits.
• Education Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Who We Are:

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, El Centro Family Health is dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare to the people of Northern New Mexico. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community by delivering primary care and health education through a network of clinics and collaborative programs. At El Centro, we are committed to offering vital health services in a compassionate, supportive, and patient-centered environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

El Centro Family Health is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace for all.