Harm Reduction Grant Specialist

The Department of Public Health (DPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) is seeking dynamic applicants to fill the role of Harm Reduction Grants Specialist. They will specifically oversee federal grants focused on enhancing harm reduction services and knowledge along the points of the criminal legal system that impact People Who Use Drugs (PWUD).This person will coordinate statewide efforts to promote the health and safety of PWUD impacted by the criminal legal system, and will plan, implement, and evaluate non-carceral approaches to overdose prevention and access to care. This includes alternative models to arrests, court-based interventions, and re-entry services for people leaving carceral settings. The incumbent specifically focuses on enhancing culturally specific services and programming to address ongoing and widening racial disparities in overdose deaths in Massachusetts.The incumbent is responsible for supporting the agency in federal grant applications, management and contract proposals including, but not limited to, the SAMHSA-PDO grant, the BJA-COSSUP grant, and the harm reduction elements of the SAMHSA-SOR grant. This includes coordinating all grant-funded contracts and ensuring that all grant reporting requirements and deliverables are met.The incumbent sits in both the Harm Reduction Unit and the Legal Systems Involved Services Unit at BSAS.Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and are not all inclusive) : Coordinates the day-to-day operations of applying for and overseeing federal grants, including the SAMHSA-PDO grant and BJA-COSSUP grant, including oversight of program reporting, timelines, and deliverables and by defining the purpose and scope of proposed programs and conferring with relevant staff concerning implementation and monitoring.Maintain liaison with local, state and federal government authorities, civic leaders, specialists and others to exchange information and / or to resolve problems.Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of BSAS funded harm reduction programs and services that intersect with the criminal legal systems and emergency response systems.Oversee evaluation of programs and activities in order to determine progress and effectiveness and make recommendations concerning changes as needed.Develop and implement procedures and guidelines to accomplish assigned agency program objectives and goals related to enhancing fidelity to the values and principles of harm reduction across the systems described above.Build and maintain partnerships with criminal legal systems, community-based organizations, and other relevant key partners to maximize the impact of grant-supported harm reduction efforts.Support the management of the SAMHSA-SOR grant by evaluating data and providing information to management.Coordinate Post Overdose Support Team (POST) program inventory, activities, funding, and contracts.Coordinate the Black and Latino Men’s Re-Entry program inventory, activities, funding, and contracts.Provide technical assistance and subject matter expertise on integration of harm reduction principles and values across different sectors, including criminal legal systems, re-entry programs, emergency response systems, and mental health crisis response systems.Provide vendor support and coordination as appropriate and ensure coordination and effective communication with all partners.Develop and implement criteria and standards to be used in monitoring or evaluating program activities.Plan, design and implement the methods for determining effectiveness of program activities.Attend and represent BSAS at relevant meetings and events.Participate in both the BSAS Harm Reduction Unit and the BSAS Legal System Involved Services Unit.Perform other related duties as assigned.Required Qualifications : Capability to coordinate the efforts of others in accomplishing assigned work objectives.Able to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of the subordinate and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and / or evaluations; determining subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action.Understanding of the social, economic, technological and ecological factors, trends, and problems involved in human services planning.Awareness of the methods of general report writing.Understanding of the principles and practices of public health including terminology.Awareness of the methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs, and tables.Capacity to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and to make appropriate recommendations.Able to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.Capable to maintain accurate records.Preferred Qualifications : Understanding of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.Aware of the types and uses of agency forms.Understanding of the principles, practices, and techniques of supervision.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.More information can be found at : MA Department of Public HealthPre-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 http : / / www.mass.gov / hhs / coriEducation, 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#J-18808-Ljbffr