Crisis Operations Lead

Paragon•Frisco, CO

111d•$70,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Paragon Behavioral Health Connections is a comprehensive behavioral health organization dedicated to positively impacting individuals and families through compassionate, client-centered care. We aim to deliver personalized care that uplifts clients and builds supportive connections within communities. Through community-based or in-home services, and digital solutions, we meet clients where they are to provide the right support at the right time. Serving communities across Colorado, we offer equitable and creative "one-stop" behavioral health services, including in-home mental health and substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, early childhood support, intensive outpatient programs, assertive community treatment, medication management, and wrap-around support. Our vision is to empower individuals and families with complex needs to overcome challenges, build essential skills, and access resources for long-term well-being. Our services encompass step-down care from inpatient hospitalization, comprehensive support for children and families, and specialized treatment for adults with depression, trauma, substance use, and other mental health needs. Our programming includes intensive care management, Crisis Stabilization, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Child First, integrated co-occurring Intensive Outpatient treatment, individual and family therapy, medication management (including MAT), peer support, supported employment/housing, and holistic recovery services.

Requirements

Strong operational judgment and ability to remain calm and effective in high-acuity, fast-paced crisis environments.
Knowledge of crisis intervention, de-escalation strategies, trauma-informed care, and behavioral health systems.
Understanding of withdrawal management services, crisis stabilization, and community behavioral health systems.
Ability to coordinate across multidisciplinary teams, including clinical, medical, operational, and peer staff.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to balance direct service engagement with systems-level operational thinking.
Ability to manage competing priorities in dynamic crisis environments.
Flexibility and willingness to work non-traditional hours as part of a 24/7 operation.
Bachelor’s degree in psychology, human services, social sciences, criminal justice, or related field preferred (or equivalent professional experience) (Non-Clinical Track).
CAT, CAS, or equivalent behavioral health/addiction credential preferred (Non-Clinical Track).
Demonstrated experience in crisis services, withdrawal management, behavioral health operations, shelters, EMS, or related settings (Non-Clinical Track).
Prior experience in operational leadership, lead roles, or program coordination strongly preferred (Non-Clinical Track).
Master’s degree in behavioral health field required (Clinical Track).
Active Colorado clinical license preferred (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, Licensed Psychologist, or equivalent) (Clinical Track).
LAC or addiction experience preferred (Clinical Track).
Experience in crisis stabilization, mobile crisis, withdrawal management, emergency behavioral health, or acute behavioral health settings strongly preferred (Clinical Track).
Supervisory or clinical leadership experience preferred (Clinical Track).
Experience collaborating with hospitals, EMS, crisis systems, or community behavioral health partners preferred.
Familiarity with Colorado behavioral health regulations (BHA, DORA, Medicaid/HCPF) preferred.
Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.
Ability to work on-site in the Crisis Walk-In Center.
Ability to respond to urgent operational needs as part of a 24/7 program.
Requires living in or near the location of the posting.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, human services, social sciences, criminal justice, or related field preferred (or equivalent professional experience).
CAT, CAS, or equivalent behavioral health/addiction credential preferred.
Prior experience in operational leadership, lead roles, or program coordination strongly preferred.
Active Colorado clinical license preferred (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, Licensed Psychologist, or equivalent).
LAC or addiction experience preferred.
Experience in crisis stabilization, mobile crisis, withdrawal management, emergency behavioral health, or acute behavioral health settings strongly preferred.
Supervisory or clinical leadership experience preferred.
Experience collaborating with hospitals, EMS, crisis systems, or community behavioral health partners preferred.
Familiarity with Colorado behavioral health regulations (BHA, DORA, Medicaid/HCPF) preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide on-site leadership during assigned shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Support staffing coverage and assist with real-time problem solving related to call-outs, surge volume, and acuity.
Ensure minimum staffing requirements are maintained at all times.
Serve as a point of escalation for operational concerns when directors are not on site.
Support implementation of crisis stabilization and withdrawal management workflows during shifts while assisting with coordination across internal and external partners as needed.
Support environment-of-care safety and adherence to crisis and withdrawal management protocols.
Assist with managing operational flow, admissions coordination, discharge coordination, and transitions of care.
Participate directly in crisis response activities, including de-escalation, engagement, safety support, and coordination with clinical and nursing staff.
Support intake flow, screening processes, and coordination of individuals accessing crisis stabilization or withdrawal management services.
Assist with coordination of admissions, transfers, and discharges in collaboration with clinicians, nursing staff, and prescribers.
Support coordination of higher levels of care, residential placements, detox referrals, and community-based services.
Assist with warm handoffs and continuity-of-care planning.
Provide real-time clinical consultation and support during high-acuity situations (if applicable).
Support crisis assessments, risk evaluations, safety planning, and disposition discussions (if applicable).
Assist with clinical decision-making related to crisis stabilization and withdrawal management appropriateness (if applicable).
Provide clinical supervision, consultation, or oversight consistent with licensure and organizational policy (if applicable).
Support clinical documentation quality and regulatory compliance (if applicable).
Assist with development and implementation of evidence-based crisis interventions and workflows (if applicable).
Coordinate service flow between the WIC, withdrawal management, mobile crisis, hospitals, EMS, law enforcement, and community partners.
Support ASAM-informed placement coordination under the direction of licensed staff.
Identify service gaps, operational barriers, workflow concerns, and systems issues and elevate recommendations to leadership.
Support development of operational workflows that improve efficiency, safety, and continuity of care.
Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to Behavioral Health Technicians, peers, case managers, and other staff during shifts.
Model trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and crisis-responsive practice.
Support onboarding and training of new staff related to crisis center operations, workflow expectations, and service delivery.
Reinforce adherence to policies, procedures, safety standards, and documentation expectations.
Ensure operational activities, incident reporting, and shift documentation align with organizational policy and regulatory requirements.
Support quality improvement initiatives by identifying trends, barriers, and operational improvement opportunities.
Communicate critical incidents, safety concerns, and significant operational disruptions to program leadership promptly.