Substance Use and Evaluation Specialist

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (MDPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction (BSAS) is seeking dynamic applicants to fill the role of Substance Use and Evaluation Specialist . The Epidemiologist will provide day-to-day oversight and guidance for all evaluation related activities funded or otherwise supported by the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. The person in this position serves as the lead evaluator for the CDC-funded Overdose Data to Action for States (OD2A-S) grant working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) to ensure all evaluation related grant deliverables are met. Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive): Lead bureau-wide program evaluation activities including partnering with designated staff and vendors on evaluation design, implementation, and reporting. Ensure compliance with CDC OD2A-S grant requirements including development and implementation of an evaluation and performance plan for the OD2A-S grant and meeting all submission requirements. Center lived experience, participant-led processes and opportunities for input and collaboration on data collection and evaluation design, direction, and processes including interpretation of results. Center racial equity and an equity lens in program evaluation and outcome measurement and design. Oversee the identification and/or development of data collection and monitoring plans or tools and metrics to analyze and assess the effectiveness of funded programs/projects, particularly from racial and health equity lenses, using collaborative iterative processes. Facilitate communications and submissions to the DPH Institutional Review Board (IRB), communication and consultation with the DPH Legal Office related to Data Use Agreements, Qualified Service Organization Agreements, and other related agreements and human subject protection activities. Identify and implement processes to ensure protection of privacy and compliance with MDPH confidentiality policies and procedures for all evaluation related activities. Support efforts to disseminate key findings from evaluation related activities including facilitating processes for interpretation and feedback from participants and people with living expertise. Participate in Bureau community engagement activities to communicate and facilitate discussion, input into evaluation activities and feedback to OSE data quality assurance team. Collaborate with all Office of Statistics and Evaluation staff and other DPH and BSAS staff working on contracting, data collection, provider training, and data management. Develop service evaluation and client outcomes analysis plans based on input from internal and external stakeholders. Use multi-source Public Health Data (PHD) to carry out comprehensive evaluations and client outcomes analysis. Represent BSAS at local, state, and national meetings as needed. Participate in all calls with the CDC Grant Project Officers. Supervise/train epidemiologists participating in evaluation activities. Required Qualifications: Understanding of the principles and practices of epidemiology. Knowledge of the research methods and techniques followed in epidemiology. Understanding of the methods of statistical report writing. Strong understanding of Statistical Analysis System (SAS) for data analysis. Capable to explain the laws, rules, and regulations governing assigned unit activities. Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated experience in mixed model and other types of evaluation and research. Demonstrated experience with data analysis, research methods, statistical report writing. Proficient use of graphics and statistical analysis. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to supervise staff including performance appraisal, employee coaching/training/development, and performance review. Ability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules, and regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities. About the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services: The Mission of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) is to foster healthy life choices through culturally responsive services that prevent, treat, and promote recovery from substance-related disorders. Our Guiding Principles include: Addiction is a chronic disease that can be successfully prevented and treated. Eliminating the stigma associated with addiction is essential to our work. Substance use disorders affect individuals, families, and communities across the Commonwealth. No single treatment is appropriate for everyone and medications are an important element of treatment for many individuals. People affected by substance addiction should be treated with dignity and respect. The Bureau of Substance Addiction Services acknowledges the history of structural racism in the United States and its impact on health outcomes. The Bureau is committed to improving the quality of life for all Commonwealth residents, focusing on traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations. About the Department of Public Health: The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities. DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems. More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health Pre-Hire Process: A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- Ext. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of professional experience in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, or statistics or specific discipline related to the particular epidemiologic role (e.g., research statistics, research methods, population health, environmental health, toxicology, ecology, international health, etc.) and (B) of which at least four (4) years must have been in a supervisory or leadership capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics or other health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of two (2) years of the required (A) experience. II. Master's degree or higher in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics, or health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of three (3) years of the required (A) experience and one (1) year of the required (B) experience. Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. NOTE: Educational substitution at this level will only be permitted for a maximum of one (1) year of the required (B) experience. Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression . click apply for full job details