Stars Behavioral Health Group logo
Stars Behavioral Health Group
Bakersfield, California

Director of Nursing - Behavioral Health

Registered NurseIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$120K - $135K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 6mo ago

Job Description

Partner with us in making a positive change! Join a team where your work truly matters. We're proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work for 8 years by our own employees. We invite you to partner with us in our mission to improve mental healthcare.

  • Job Title: Director of Nursing - Behavioral Health Division/Program: (Youth Inpatient) Psychiatric Health Facility Starting
  • Compensation: 120000 - 135000 USD Per Year Working
  • Location: Bakersfield, CA Working Hours/Shift: Schedule will include, 4 weekdays and 1 weekend day, with core hours from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Scheduling may be adjusted as needed to support program operations.

Why Join Our Team? Competitive

  • Compensation: Offering a salary that matches your skills and experience

Generous Time Off: Enjoy ample vacation and holiday pay. Comprehensive

Benefits

Package: Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage. Additional voluntary benefits to support your lifestyle. Professional Growth Opportunities: On-the-job training with access to paid CEU opportunities. Career development programs designed to help you grow.

Supervision for BBS hours for AMFT, ACSW, and APCC professionals (where applicable).

Employee Recognition & Rewards: A culture that celebrates and rewards your hard work and dedication This position includes a $10,000 sign-on bonus, distributed in three installments: $2,500 within the first 90 days of employment $2,500 after six months of employment $5,000 upon completion of one year of employment *This position is eligible for a relocation stipend.

What you bring to SBHG: Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing required. Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s Degree, or Master’s Degree in nursing preferred. Associate’s degree: Four (4) years in nursing administration required. Bachelor’s degree: Two (2) years in nursing administration required.

Master’s degree: One (1) year in nursing administration required. Prior experience as Director of Nursing in acute psychiatric setting/skilled preferred. Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in California required. Valid CPR certification required within 30 days of hire.

Valid Pro-ACT certification required within 30 days of hire. Valid California Driver’s License required and must meet Agency driver eligibility criteria.

How you will make a difference: Hires, trains, and supervises nursing staff and provides direction to other program staff as needed Supervises the direct nursing care provided by all nursing staff, ensuring alignment with Director of Nursing standards and expectations.

Develops and maintains service objectives, standards of nursing practice, nursing policy and procedure manuals, and written job descriptions for all nursing personnel as part of the Director of Nursing leadership scope.

Oversees physical healthcare services provided by primary care physicians and emergency services provided through local hospitals, fulfilling key Director of Nursing responsibilities. Provides nursing care as described in the Registered Nurse job description, as needed to supplement nursing staffing and services.

In collaboration with the Clinical Director, ensures that the YPHF is in compliance with all Federal, State, and local regulations pertaining to nursing care and treatment, clinical mental health services, and Patient’s Rights.

Ensures accurate, complete, and appropriate nursing care plans and other nursing documentation are generated and maintained in a timely manner in the medical record.

Coordinates and is responsible for monthly licensed nursing meetings; attends and participates in Organized Clinical Meeting, Clinical Department Head, and Department Head Meetings.

Participates in the On Call Rotation and may provide coverage for direct care shifts and other shifts within their licensure/certification.

Division/Program Overview: 24/7 inpatient involuntary high acute psychiatric program 16-bed facility for acute youth (ages 5-17) Intensive treatment programs with individualized care plans Available for contracting Central Valley counties Moves clients through five phases: admission; engagement; learning; stabilization and linkage to resources and aftercare Learn more about SBHG at: starsinc.com For Additional Information: CencalJobs@Starsinc.com We are committed to providing a career-enhancing environment for dedicated professionals desiring to improve the lives of people living with mental health and other challenges to their well-being.

SBHG currently employs approximately 1,900 people at more than 45 different sites throughout California. We serve more than 30,000 adults, children, youth and families annually throughout the state.

We strongly value and are committed to having a truly diverse workforce and environment- including LGBTQ, cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity in our workforce.

Key Responsibilities

The Director of Nursing oversees nursing staff, ensures compliance with clinical regulations, and manages nursing practice standards within a youth inpatient psychiatric facility. They also provide direct nursing care as needed and coordinate clinical meetings to maintain high-quality patient treatment.

Requirements

Candidates must be a Registered Nurse (RN) in California with experience in nursing administration, with the specific years required depending on their degree level. Additional requirements include valid CPR and Pro-ACT certifications and a valid California driver's license.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Psychiatric nursingStaff supervisionClinical compliancePolicy developmentPatient rights advocacyAcute careCrisis managementDocumentation managementTraining and developmentInterdisciplinary collaboration

Behavioral Health — Registered Nurse Career Context

Of the 50 active Nursing Leadership listings this role was benchmarked against, 26% are remote, 50% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$128k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $115k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

How many Nursing Leadership jobs are remote?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$120k–$135kNursing Leadership median $130k (middle half $114k–$143k)14 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$115k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Behavioral Health listings in California5 active—live on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
All nursing leadership listings in California396 active5,685 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 26% remote · 50% no call · 76% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repayment$10k sign-onCalifornia registered nurse listings (all specialties): 10% state a sign-on bonus (median $8k) · 4% offer loan repayment396 active listings, Nov 2026
New Behavioral Health RN listings62 in the last 30 days62 the 30 days before (about the same)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page. California figures use all nursing leaderships: too few California Behavioral Health postings state pay.

Top Registered Nurse Jobs

26 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

26 jobs · 22 employers
10
<$100k
6
$100k-120k
5
$120k-140k
5
$140k-160k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

20 jobs
401k / retirement match
100%
Sign-on bonus
25% this job
Loan repayment
10%
CME allowance
10% this job
Relocation assistance
5% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Registered Nurse - Case Manager w/sign-on bonus - 5403

Vantage Search Group · Twentynine Palms, California

$125k-$156k
#2

Assistant Director of Nursing - Mental Health 616

Telecare · San Leandro, California

$125k-$155k
#3

Psychiatric Nurse Manager - Women's Mental Health

$150,000 a year
#4

Case Manager Registered Nurse (Remote, RN Illinois)

$67k-$143k
+ 24 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 1.5
Better work-life than 30% of Nursing Leadership listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,187 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends
Stars Behavioral Health Group logo

About Stars Behavioral Health Group

Mental Health Care
Long Beach, CA
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision
Paid vacation and holidays
CEU opportunities
Career development programs
Supervision for BBS hours
$10,000 sign-on bonus
Relocation stipend

Living in Bakersfield

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$354k≈ 3.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,901/mo≈ 19% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
24 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.