Director of Plant Operations

About Us

Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, located in Bakersfield, California, is an acute psychiatric and behavioral 90 bed facility situated on 8.8 acres.

We offer inpatient and outpatient services for children, adolescents and adults needing mental/behavioral health, chemical dependency; and co-occurring disorders treatment through our medically supervised detoxification.

Within our Workplace Community, BBHH is striving daily to be one of the BEST PLACES TO WORK not just here in Kern County, but throughout the Behavioral Healthcare Community.

By offering amazing benefits, encouraging individual growth and development, and incorporating our CARES values system into our daily operations, we are creating a workplace culture where people enjoy coming to work each day.

BBHH CARES about your experience as a candidate and we encourage you to apply to our open positions.

Compassion

Acceptance
Respect

Empowerment

Sincerity

Our progressive and dedicated healthcare team strives to change the lives of our patients and provide exceptional care.

This is a fast-paced environment that requires critical thinking, exceptional leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

SUMMARY and PURPOSE

The Director of Plant Operations is responsible for the overall maintenance, safety, functionality, and regulatory compliance of the hospital’s physical environment. This role oversees facility operations, plant maintenance, life safety systems, security systems, environmental compliance, and vendor management to ensure a safe, effective, and efficient environment for patients, staff, and visitors. The Director ensures compliance with all applicable laws, codes, standards, and regulations, including CMS Conditions of Participation, CDPH requirements, and The Joint Commission’s Environment of Care (EOC) standards.

Leadership & Management

• Direct, supervise, and evaluate Plant Operations staff, including maintenance technicians, groundskeepers, security, and other facilities personnel.
• Develop staffing schedules and ensure adequate coverage for 24/7 facility operations.
• Provide leadership in promoting a safe and well-maintained hospital environment.

Regulatory Compliance & Safety

• Ensure the hospital’s physical environment meets all regulatory requirements (Joint Commission, CMS, CDPH, NFPA, OSHA, and local building/fire codes).
• Serve as the Environment of Care Committee Chair and Safety Officer.
• Maintain up-to-date life safety drawings, utility management plans, and emergency operations plans.
• Coordinate required inspections, testing, and maintenance (ITM) for fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, emergency power, and other life safety systems.
• Prepare for and participate in surveys, audits, and inspections from regulatory agencies.

Facilities Maintenance & Operations

• Oversee preventive maintenance programs for building systems including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, medical gas, and structural components.
• Manage and monitor work orders to ensure timely completion and quality outcomes.
• Direct capital improvement projects, renovations, and repairs.
• Develop and implement energy management and sustainability programs.

Budgeting & Resource Management

• Develop and manage the Plant Operations annual operating and capital budgets.
• Obtain bids, evaluate vendors, and oversee contracts for maintenance and construction services.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure cost-effective operations.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Ensure facility readiness for emergencies, including utility failures, severe weather, and disaster response.
• Serve as a key leader in the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) during activations.
• Maintain backup systems and redundancy for critical hospital infrastructure.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with Nursing, EVS, Dietary, and other hospital departments to ensure operational needs are met.
• Communicate effectively with leadership regarding facility issues, risks, and improvement projects.
• Provide training to staff on safety procedures related to the physical environment.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of building systems, maintenance practices, and safety codes.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations.
• Strong budget management and contract negotiation skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to respond to emergencies 24/7.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods.
• Frequent climbing, bending, lifting, and carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in various environmental conditions (indoor/outdoor, hot/cold, heights, confined spaces).
• Visual and auditory acuity to identify facility hazards and communicate effectively.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Simply put: HUMANS WHO CARE

Though we do need to meet some minimum requirements for the position such as a High School Diploma, we're really looking for people who bring their HEART to work.

If you have previous senior leadership experience in a healthcare hospital environment where your attention was focused on facilities management, plant operations, and environment of care, your application to this position will be moved to the shortlist of candidates.

Ideally, we'd hire someone with the following education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, facilities management, construction management, or related field preferred.

• 3-5 years of progressive leadership experience in hospital plant operations, facilities management, or engineering services.
• Strong knowledge of Joint Commission, CMS, and CDPH regulations.
• Experience managing life safety systems, emergency management protocols, and hospital utilities.

• Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) preferred.
• OSHA 30-hour General Industry or Construction Safety Certification preferred.
• Valid California driver’s license required.

A combination of education and experience will be considered for the right person.

Some of the fundamentals we're looking for in those who apply to this position include:

1. Someone who demonstrates sound leadership skills and utilizes these skills in organizing the strategic and daily functions of physical hospital facilities operations.
2. A caring, compassionate human being with a record of consistently demonstrating high-quality interpersonal skills to be an exemplary role model to others.
3. Someone capable of displaying basic knowledge of all mechanical engineering, construction, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and groundskeeping strategies.
4. An organized individual with exceptional organizational and time management.
5. Directs all aspects of the strategic planning and business relationship for the Plant Ops Service line.

Our patients, our community, and our co-workers RELY on us to be committed to their wellness,

Through prevention, intervention, treatment, and education, we can and we will make a difference not just here in Bakersfield, but throughout our extended communities.

You should have a current CPR certification when you apply or obtain certification prior to your start date.

If you don't have a current CPR certification, just let us know and we'll make sure you get it before you start -- and even cover the cost for you.

Additionally, you'll complete a "Handle-With-Care" Physical Restraint Technique Training during your orientation so that you know how and when to engage when such an event occurs.

BBHH encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

The Director of Plant Operations position pays between $100,000 and $130,000 per year based experience and qualifications.

We look forward to reviewing your application TODAY!

Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital is proud to offer a suite of benefits to those who join our workplace community.

*Benefits eligibility varies based on employment status (full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.).

Some of the benefits you can expect as a Full-Time employee include:

• Paid Time Off
• over THREE WEEKS of Paid Time Off in your first year!!!
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Discounted Meals
• Employee Assistance Program
• TUITION REIMBURSEMENT