Substance Use Coordinator - Western Regional Office

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a dynamic, service-minded professional to fill the role of Substance Use Coordinator. The selected candidate is responsible for the DCF Regional/Area efforts to address substance use/misuse within the child welfare system. Their primary role is to act as a consultant to the Regional/Area DCF staff to build capacity and expertise in the field of substance use disorders and to create linkages to the substance use provider community. 

Please Note: The position officially reports to Central Office but will be based in the Western Regional Office in Springfield and will cover the Western Region.

The Central Office Substance Use Unit Manager assigned to the Western Region will provide supervision for this position. The coordinator will also function as part of the DCF Statewide Substance Use Unit and will receive clinical and technical support as part of the Unit. There is a common vision and mission for all Substance Use Coordinators.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide case consultation to assigned Area Offices.
• Implement capacity building activities related to substance use/misuse and impact on child welfare within their assigned Region\Area Offices. 
• Provide resources, support and training to increase staff knowledge related to substance misuse, substance use disorders and impact on children and families. Participate in new or ongoing projects and grants related to substance use/misuse in child welfare.
• Partake in Regional\Area team meetings – including CQI teams, family group conferencing, and other clinical meetings.
• Participate as part of the Statewide Substance Use Unit to assist with all unit members continuous learning as well as shaping policy and providing best practice guidelines to the field. 
• Work with community-based substance use providers to establish working relationships between the provider and the local DCF Area Office. This includes improving communication with the provider, developing protocols to improve access to services for DCF clients and to streamline service provision. Provide cross training as necessary to local substance use providers
• Participate in Regional\Area interagency or community-based substance use or child welfare meetings. 

Required Qualifications:

• Experience with the child welfare system.
• Experience with community development and cross-systems collaboration.
• Ability to manage multiple job tasks and set priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral expressions.
• Capacity to interact effectively with individuals at all levels within an organization

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge in substance uses disorders and the substance use treatment continuum in Massachusetts.
• Licensed professionals are encouraged to apply, particularly Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services, social work, or a related field.
• Extensive knowledge in substance uses disorders and the substance use treatment continuum in Massachusetts.
• Licensed professionals are encouraged to apply, particularly Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
• Ability to manage relationships both internally and externally.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, Te