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 interpre