Operations Manager

By joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact?

Join us - and work with purpose!

POSITION BENEFITS

• Team-Oriented, Multidisciplinary Approach
• Ongoing, High-Level Learning and Development Opportunities
• Culturally Diverse Environment
• Joint Commission Accredited Organization
• Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet)
• Retirement Savings Plan: 403(b) - With Employer Match Up To 3%
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)
• Wellness Programs
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Or Assistance For Continuing Education
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Recognition Program
• Opportunities For Career Advancement
• May Be Eligible For State Or Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs For Work With Underserved Populations

SUMMARY

This position is responsible for managing operational systems, campus safety protocols, transportation services, staffing coordination, crisis response support, regulatory compliance, and special projects. Manager provides direct supervision to Operations Supervisors and collaborates closely with Residential, Clinical, Nursing, Educational, Facilities, and Administrative teams to ensure seamless campus operations. The position promotes organizational excellence by developing efficient processes, supporting staff development, and ensuring operational practices align with the mission and values of the San Diego Center for Children.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other Duties May Be Assigned)

• Oversee and provide leadership to Operations Supervisors, ensuring consistent implementation of campus operational procedures, safety protocols, and organizational expectations. Monitor daily campus operations, including transportation, facility access, visitor management, campus safety, and operational support services.
• Develop, implement, and monitor operational systems and workflows that support residential, educational, and clinical programming. Ensure adequate operational staffing coverage and assist with scheduling, workforce planning, and emergency staffing needs.
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team and collaborate with program managers and directors to address operational challenges, improve service delivery, and support strategic initiatives. Participate in crisis management and emergency response efforts, providing leadership and coordination during critical incidents.
• Monitor compliance with licensing regulations, accreditation standards, organizational policies, and safety requirements. Conduct audits, inspections, and quality assurance reviews to ensure operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
• Provide coaching, supervision, training, and performance management to Operations Supervisors and assigned staff. Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate campus-wide operational projects, office relocations, facility improvements, and program expansion efforts. Support organizational initiatives including new program development, licensing activities, and campus readiness planning.
• Collaborate with Facilities, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Administrative departments to ensure operational needs are met and resources are effectively utilized.
• Develop and maintain operational reports, performance metrics, and data tracking systems. Analyze trends and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, safety, and service quality.
• Assist with budget planning, resource allocation, vendor coordination, and contract management related to operational functions
• Promote a positive and professional environment that reflects the organization's mission to support children, youth, and families through compassionate and effective services.
• Position requires being on-call. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Professional Development:

• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Stay current on best practices in education, including trauma-informed care and inclusive teaching strategies.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development as required by the San Diego Center for Children.

Skills and Competencies: 

• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and crisis management skills.
• Ability to foster an inclusive and trauma-informed workplace.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and operational management software.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work across multiple departments.

On The Job Mandatory Ongoing Trainings:

• Maintain all certifications and licenses required for the role, ensuring they remain current.
• Complete and stay up-to-date with all mandatory trainings as specified by the San Diego Center for Children, including but not limited to: Residential Counselor Training, Intervention Toolbox, CPR and First Aid Certification S.P.A. Certification, False Claims, HIPAA, Safety, Trauma Informed Care, Annual Block Trainings as assigned. Any trainings assigned. 

Restraint and Safety Training Requirements:

Apply Safe and Positive Approaches (SPA) restraint techniques, which may involve:

• Lifting or holding a child in standing, sitting, or ground-level positions.
• Separating clients who are acting in an unsafe manner to ensure the safety of both clients and staff.
• Prolonged standing, bending, and transitioning youth from a standing to a seated position.
• Must pass a two-day SPA training that focuses on safely initiating a physical hold with youth presenting as a danger to themselves or others.
• It is recommended that staff be able to support up to 50 pounds.

Behavioral and Emotional Challenges:

Due to the emotional instability of the clients, the employee may be subjected to physical aggression, including but not limited to:

• Kicking, hitting, punching, biting, and hair pulling.
• Vision Requirements: Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups; Ability to produce clear, concise, and clinically appropriate records.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to run, walk, sit and drive a vehicle. The employee must be able to move and/or lift a student when clinically necessary, and must be able to follow a student that AWOLs in a walking or running pace. Applying SPA restraint techniques can involve lifting the student, holding the student down in a standing, sitting or ground level manner, as well separating clients who are acting in an unsafe manner to ensure the safety for the clients and staff. Due to the emotional instability of the clients the employee may be subjected to kicking, hitting, punching, biting, hair pulling, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The San Diego Center for Children is committed to:

• Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organization
• Ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices and services, and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect
• Encourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serve

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services, Psychology, Business Administration, Facilities Management, Operations Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 5 years of management experience in a Residential Treatment, Education, or Behavioral Health setting
• Valid California Driver’s License and reliable transportation and must be 21 years of age or older 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices, such as Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, or Positive Youth Development.

Salary : $81,000 - $96,000