Blue Lagoon Jobs (NOW HIRING)

• Location: 5200 Blue Lagoon Drive, Miami, FL 33126
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: Graduate Degree
• Salary Range: $130,000 – $150,000 per year

The Vice President (VP) of Operations – Miami‑Dade Mental Health Center serves as a senior executive leader responsible for the strategic, clinical, and operational oversight of The Village South’s newly established comprehensive mental health center in Miami‑Dade County. This role provides leadership across crisis stabilization services, short‑term residential treatment (SRT), long‑term residential programs, and jail diversion initiatives, ensuring full alignment with state, judicial, and community expectations.

The position is the primary liaison with government entities including the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), Miami‑Dade County, and the 11th Judicial Circuit Court, and plays a critical role in advancing diversion strategies that reduce unnecessary incarceration and improve behavioral health outcomes in the community. The VP will drive clinical excellence, regulatory compliance (including CARF standards), financial performance, and cross‑system integration across behavioral health, criminal justice, and community‑based services.

• Provide executive oversight of the Miami‑Dade Mental Health Center, ensuring alignment with The Village South’s mission, strategic goals, and statewide priorities.
• Lead the development and execution of operational and clinical strategies across crisis stabilization, residential treatment, and diversion programs.
• Partner with the COO and executive leadership team to drive growth, sustainability, and system innovation across the region.
• Oversee a continuum of care including:
  • Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU)
  • Short‑Term Residential Treatment (SRT)
  • Long‑Term Residential Programs
  • Community‑based and step‑down services
• Ensure high‑quality, evidence‑based clinical services that meet or exceed regulatory and accreditation standards (DCF, Medicaid, CARF).
• Collaborate with medical, psychiatric, and clinical leadership to monitor outcomes, improve care quality, and implement best practices.
• Serve as the primary organizational representative with:
  • Florida DCF
  • Miami‑Dade County leadership
  • Managing Entity partners
  • The 11th Judicial Circuit Court
• Build strong working relationships with judges, public defenders, state attorneys, and court administration to support behavioral health diversion initiatives.
• Lead coordination efforts related to jail diversion programs, competency restoration pathways, and alternatives to incarceration.
• Oversee the development and performance of jail diversion programs, including collaboration with:
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • County jail systems
  • Court‑ordered treatment pathways
• Ensure seamless intake, assessment, and placement processes for justice‑involved individuals requiring behavioral health services.
• Advance strategies to reduce recidivism and unnecessary institutionalization.
• Direct oversight of budgets, financial performance, and resource allocation for all assigned programs.
• Ensure fiscal responsibility, contract compliance, and revenue optimization across funding streams (state, county, Medicaid, grants).
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), census, staffing ratios, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory bodies, including DCF, AHCA (if applicable), Medicaid requirements, and CARF accreditation standards.
• Lead readiness efforts for audits, licensure inspections, and accreditation surveys.
• Implement risk management protocols and ensure adherence to organizational policies and legal standards.
• Provide leadership and supervision to program directors, clinical leaders, and operational teams.
• Foster a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support workforce development, retention strategies, and leadership pipeline growth.

• Education: Master’s degree or higher in Behavioral Health, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, or a related field required.
• Certifications / Licensures: Licensed clinical professional (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, PsyD, or similar) preferred.
• Experience and Competencies:
  • Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in behavioral health or healthcare operations.
  • Demonstrated experience overseeing:
    • Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU)
    • Short‑Term Residential Treatment (SRT)
    • Long‑Term Residential Services
  • Direct experience working with government agencies (DCF, county systems, Medicaid) and publicly funded programs.
  • Proven experience collaborating with the judicial system, including the 11th Judicial Circuit Court, and involvement in jail diversion or forensic behavioral health initiatives.
  • Strong financial and operational management experience, including budget oversight and contract management.
  • Experience with CARF accreditation and regulatory survey processes preferred.
  • Familiarity with the Miami‑Dade County behavioral health ecosystem and managing entity structure preferred.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Experience building or launching new programs or facilities preferred.
  • Executive Leadership & Strategic Thinking: Provides visionary leadership, drives organizational priorities, and develops long‑term strategies to enhance behavioral health service delivery and program sustainability.
  • Behavioral Health System Integration: Oversees the coordination and alignment of behavioral health services across programs, ensuring continuity of care and effective service integration.
  • Government & Judicial Relations: Builds and maintains strong partnerships with government agencies, judicial stakeholders, and community partners to support program operations, compliance, and advocacy efforts.
  • Crisis & Residential Treatment Expertise: Demonstrates advanced knowledge of crisis stabilization, residential treatment models, and best practices in behavioral health care to ensure high‑quality service delivery.
  • Financial & Operational Excellence: Directs fiscal planning, budget oversight, resource allocation, and operational efficiencies to support organizational goals and program effectiveness.
  • Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensures adherence to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, licensing standards, accreditation requirements, and contractual obligations.
  • Data‑Driven Decision Making: Utilizes performance metrics, outcome data, and operational reports to guide strategic planning, quality improvement, and informed decision‑making.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Influence: Effectively collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong relationships, driving engagement, and influencing positive outcomes across systems.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required.
• During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.
• Understanding of family dynamics, family roles, and family structure.
• Understanding of professional ethics, consumer rights, and professional responsibilities.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with members of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to organize, interpret, and communicate data in a comprehensive and effective manner.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and effectively prioritize.
• Ability to network with internal and external departments and agencies.
• Understanding of issues related to prevention, intervention and treatment.
• Ability to use trauma‑informed care principles including ensuring consumer safety, preventing/avoiding re‑traumatization, maximizing trustworthiness, enhancing consumer choice, maximizing collaboration, and emphasizing empowerment.
• Understands the differences among various kinds of abuse and trauma, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; domestic violence; experiences of war for both combat veterans and survivors of war; natural disasters; and community violence.

• Extensive local and out‑of‑state travel, including overnight stays.
• Work is performed primarily in a professional, office setting.
• A minimum of 40 hours per week is expected but significantly more hours will be required from time to time. Completion of job duties may require working before and after normal working hours. Regular attendance is required. Being able to work as many hours as is necessary to complete job tasks is a required and essential duty of this position.

• Physical Demands: Requires mobility and physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, twisting, reaching, occasional lifting up to 30 pounds, use of computer and telephone systems. Requires ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations using approved physical de‑escalation techniques. Requires talking, hearing, seeing. No exposure to human blood, but potential exposure may require PPE.
• Mental Demands: Requires ability to collect and analyze complex data, work under stress, and defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations with approved de‑escalation techniques.