Behavioral Health Design Leader

DLR Group is an integrated design firm dedicated to elevating the human experience through design. Our work around the world is driven by a passion to improve the lives of our clients, communities, and the planet. Position Summary 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 behavioral health facilities that promote healing, equity, and transformation. DLR Group operates a hybrid work model supporting flexibility between office time and work from home, with a network of 30+ studios across the United States. About Justice + Civic at DLR Group As a nationally recognized expert in Justice + Civic facility planning and design, DLR Group serves municipal, county, state, and federal public‑sector clients. We deliver civic, public safety, and justice design solutions that excel in operations, sustainable design, resilience planning, space planning, building assessment, cost of ownership analysis, and project management. Behavioral health facility planning and design is a growing specialty in our portfolio. What You Will Do Collaborate 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. 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. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in architecture, interior design, or a 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. Knowledge 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. 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 a 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. Publication history in relevant professional journals. Experience with grant writing and funding applications. CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) certification. Mental Health First Aid certification. Professional affiliation with behavioral health organizations. About DLR Group DLR Group delivers architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new builds, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects. We are 100% employee‑owned and value interdisciplinary collaboration, open information sharing, shared risk and reward, and data‑driven decision making. Work Model DLR Group follows a four‑day in‑office work model, with employees having the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays. Equal Opportunity Statement We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/M/F/Veteran/Disabled employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr DLR Group