Youth and Young Adult Residential Systems Specialist
The Youth and Young Adult Residential Systems Specialist is responsible for managing/monitoring and providing support to the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services’ (BSAS) – Office of Youth and Young Adult Services’ (OYYAS) youth and young adult residential treatment facilities. The primary focus of this position is the oversight of residential treatment programs for adolescents (13-17) and young adults (18-26) across the Commonwealth in order to ensure contract requirement compliance. The Residential Systems Specialist will make on-site visits to funded programs on at least a quarterly basis and coordinate technical assistance and evaluation services as needed. Responsibilities also include procurement support by preparing Request for Responses (RFRs) and reviewing vendor applications. In addition, developing project proposals for contracted services; reviewing grant applications and developing proposals for federal funding; and performing related tasks as required. Salary range: $60,000-$72,000.
Responsibilities
- Coordinates contract management responsibilities including site visits, monitoring of budgeting and spending, compliance with contract requirements and performance standards, and achievement of service goals and objectives for the youth and young adult (short and long term) residential treatment continuum of care;
- Attends and represents BSAS Office of Youth and Young Adult Services (OYYAS) at intra and inter-agency planning and work groups;
- Collaborates with the Office of Statistics and Evaluation (OSE) to inform consistent information and databases about youth and young adult treatment services;
- Ensures that contracted vendors submit all data and reports in an accurate and timely manner;
- Conducts quarterly site visits to each contracted residential program – at least one of these being a formal site audit. Formal audit reports/summaries will be written, appropriately reviewed and submitted to programs within thirty days of site visit;
- Monitors and assists with coordinating and/or updating any applicable OYYAS directories including any/all OYYAS printed material(s) and information on any/all applicable websites and/or other electronic platforms (e.g. Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline);
- Will monitor current trends as they relate to residential treatment and care and will work to fill any gaps in the continuum of residential treatment services;
- Create, foster and maintain relationships with other agencies, departments, entities and applicable stakeholders as it relates to residential services for youth and young adults. This in an effort to promote and engage in cross agency collaboration(s) ensuring that youth in need of SUD treatment receive the required services in a timely and streamlined manner;
- Collaborate with the DPH/BSAS Quality Assurance and Licensing Unit(s) on matters related the OYYAS system of care. Ensure that any corrective action plans and/or orders are being monitored in a timely and efficient manner;
- Will promote initiatives and efforts that encourage and uphold continued workforce development and capacity building throughout the OYYAS system of residential care. This will include ensuring programs are meeting minimal training requirements. In addition, will look to seek out innovative training opportunities related to current trends and provider needs;
- Will stay current on substance use trends as it relates to youth and young adults. Will educate and inform providers on relevant information, treatment methods, and evidence based models as appropriate and applicable;
- Perform other duties related to the day-to-day operations of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Services.
Qualifications
Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, managerial, or administrative experience in program administration, business administration or public health, the major duties of which include one or more of the following functions: program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Demonstrated administrative experience within a BSAS licensed residential treatment facility preferred.
Substitutions:
A Bachelor’s or higher degree with a major in business administration, business management or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience*
A Bachelor’s or higher degree with a major in social work, mental health counseling or related field may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*
* Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
- Demonstrated history of working with adolescents; knowledge of youth and young adult development; and knowledge of the needs of adolescents and young adults with substance use disorders.
- Demonstrated leadership position within a residential treatment facility.
- Knowledge of 105 CMR 164.000: Licensure of Substance Abuse Treatment programs.
- Knowledge of the social, economic, technological, and ecological factors, trends and problems, involved in human services planning.
- Knowledge of the methods of general report writing.
- Ability to gather information by questioning individuals and examining records and documents.
- Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
- Ability to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly, and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
- Ability to give and receive oral and written instructions in a precise and understandable manner.
- Ability to deal tactfully with others.
- Ability to develop a meeting agenda, facilitate meetings with multiple stakeholders and to help create consensus during group-oriented decision making.
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with persons from various ethnic, cultural, and/or economic backgrounds.
- Ability to work independently and to set and manage work goals/priorities.
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health including terminology.
- Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of supervision.
- Ability to coordinate the efforts of others in accomplishing assigned work objectives.
- Comfort with offering presentations/public speaking.
- Ability to manage multiple large projects simultaneously.
Salary commensurate with experience.