Crisis Operations Lead

Crisis Operations Lead 

About Paragon Behavioral Health Connections

Paragon Behavioral Health Connections is a comprehensive behavioral health organization on a mission to positively impact individuals and families through compassionate, and client-centered care.  Our mission is to deliver personalized care that uplifts our clients and builds supportive connections in communities.  Through community based or
in-home services, and digital solutions as needed, we meet clients where they are—both physically and emotionally—to provide the right support at the right time. Serving communities across Colorado, we deliver equitable and creative “one-stop” behavioral health services—providing in-home mental health and substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, early childhood support, intensive outpatient programs, assertive community treatment, medication management, wrap around support and more. We believe care should meet people where they are, both physically and emotionally. Our approach is rooted in understanding, respect, innovation, and community collaboration.

Our vision is to empower individuals and families with complex needs, helping them overcome challenges, build essential skills, and access the resources necessary to achieve long-term well-being. We offer a wide range of services, including step-down care from inpatient hospitalization for youth and adults, comprehensive support for children and families, and specialized treatment for adults facing depression, trauma, substance use, and other mental health needs.

Our programming includes intensive care management supports for families and adults, Crisis Stabilization programming, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) for individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness, Child First for young children and caregivers, integrated co-occurring Intensive Outpatient treatment, individual and family therapy, medication management (including MAT), peer support, supported employment/housing, and holistic recovery services for mental health and substance use disorders.

Why Work With Paragon

• Statewide Reach - Deliver care where it’s needed most. We’re not region-limited—serve communities across Colorado, including rural and frontier areas with limited access to care.
• Flexibility & Work–Life Balance - Own your schedule. Partner with families to set visit times that work for them (and you), so you can enjoy Colorado’s trails, slopes, and sunshine during off-peak hours.
• Clinical Leadership & Support - Clinicians lead here. Our executive team includes licensed providers who shape business decisions with a care-first lens. We provide licensure supervision and regular consultation to support your growth as a clinician.
• Comprehensive, Company-Paid Benefits - We cover health, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance—company-paid—so there are no premium deductions from your paycheck. Keep your full salary and your peace of mind.
• Career Growth Opportunities - Grow with us. Explore new modalities and specializations and advance into leadership as we expand statewide.

Position Summary

The Crisis Walk-in Center Operations Lead  plays a key leadership role in the day-to-day operations of the 24/7 Crisis Walk-In Center (WIC) with Withdrawal Management capacity while supporting crisis stabilization, withdrawal management, and coordination of behavioral health services.

This position provides real-time operational leadership, supports safe and effective service flow, and ensures coordination across crisis stabilization, withdrawal management, and next-level-of-care placement.

Depending on qualifications, licensure, and organizational need, this role may function in either a clinical or non-clinical leadership capacity.

In all configurations, the role is responsible for operational oversight, staff support, systems coordination, crisis engagement, and maintaining safe and effective program operations.

For licensed candidates, the role may additionally include clinical consultation, clinical oversight, support with complex assessments and disposition planning, and supervision responsibilities consistent with licensure and organizational policy.

The role works closely with licensed clinicians, nursing staff, peers, prescribers, program leadership, hospitals, EMS, and community partners to maintain safe staffing, regulatory compliance, coordinated care transitions, and high-quality crisis response.

Key Responsibilities

Operational & Shift Leadership

• 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.
  

Crisis Stabilization & Withdrawal Management Support

• 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.

Clinical Leadership Responsibilities (If Applicable Based on Licensure)

• Provide real-time clinical consultation and support during high-acuity situations.
• Support crisis assessments, risk evaluations, safety planning, and disposition discussions.
• Assist with clinical decision-making related to crisis stabilization and withdrawal management appropriateness.
• Provide clinical supervision, consultation, or oversight consistent with licensure and organizational policy.
• Support clinical documentation quality and regulatory compliance.
• Assist with development and implementation of evidence-based crisis interventions and workflows.

Systems Coordination & Care Flow

• 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.

Staff Support & Leadership

• 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.

Documentation, Compliance & Quality

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.

Education & Experience

Non-Clinical Track

• 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.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis services, withdrawal management, behavioral health operations, shelters, EMS, or related settings.
• Prior experience in operational leadership, lead roles, or program coordination strongly preferred.
  

Clinical Track

• Master’s degree in behavioral health field required.
• 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.

Preferred for All Candidates

• Experience collaborating with hospitals, EMS, crisis systems, or community behavioral health partners preferred.
• Familiarity with Colorado behavioral health regulations (BHA, DORA, Medicaid/HCPF) preferred.

Additional Requirements

• 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.

Job Details

• Type: Full-Time
• Location: Summit County Crisis Walk-In Center
• Salary Range
  • Non-clinical: $70,000-$80,000
  • Clinical: $80,000-$90,000 per year (LPC, LAC, LCSW, LMFT)

Benefits

• Paid health, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible work hours
• Discretionary Time Off (DTO)
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee fAssistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development support
• Referral bonuses

Diversity & Inclusion

Paragon Behavioral Health Connections is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.