Assistant Commissioner for Forensic Services

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health, seeks an accomplished clinical and administrative leader to serve as Assistant Commissioner for Forensic Services. This role provides strategic leadership for court-ordered evaluations, competency restoration, and related forensic programs serving adults and juveniles.

It oversees a large team of state-designated clinicians and contracted providers, develops policies, and coordinates with DMH, DOC and other agencies to ensure

Qualifications

• At least seven years of full-time or equivalent professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in a particular specialty, with at least four years in a managerial capacity and current license/registration requirements.
• Independent licensure: must possess an independent Psychologist license, Doctorate in Medicine (M.D. or D.O.), or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
• Special requirements: current licensure/registration requirements established for the performance of the position.

Responsibilities

• Oversee statewide forensic mental health services to courts and correctional settings, ensuring compliance with clinical standards and legal requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, protocols, and standards for court-ordered evaluations, competency restoration, and related services.
• Lead training, certification, appointment, and performance oversight of forensic evaluators, supervisors, clinicians, and contracted providers.
• Direct the development and expansion of diversion programs in collaboration with law enforcement, mobile crisis services, specialty courts, and public safety partners.
• Coordinate with the Trial Court to oversee court clinic and specialty court clinical services and advise on forensic clinical practices.
• Coordinate with the Department of Correction and other agencies to support continuity of care and reentry for individuals involved with the criminal justice system.

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description

Description

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking an accomplished clinical and administrative leader to serve as Assistant Commissioner for Forensic Services. This position provides strategic and clinical leadership for court-ordered evaluations, competency restoration, services for individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity, diversion initiatives, reentry services, and related forensic programs serving adults and juveniles. The Assistant Commissioner oversees the hiring, training and performance of a large team of state-designated clinicians and contracted vendors organizations who perform expert evaluation services at court houses and community settings as part of the judicial court clinic and at state hospitals operated by DMH or the Department of Correction (DOC).

The Assistant Commissioner is responsible for managing the clinical evaluation process to ensure high quality clinical evaluations are performed efficiently and effectively for individuals in the least restrictive environment using evidence-based, best-practice approaches based on state and nationally applied standards.Additionally, the Assistant Commissioner is responsible for coordinating with other Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) agencies and Public Safety agencies concerning services for court involved persons/clients within DMH and those served in DOC facilities, including Bridgewater State Hospital and Recovery from Addiction Program (RAP).

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

• Oversee the statewide delivery of forensic mental health services to courts and correctional settings, ensuring compliance with clinical standards, legal requirements, and Department of Mental Health expectations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, protocols, and standards governing court-ordered evaluations, competency restoration, forensic assessment, and related services.
• Lead the training, certification, appointment, and performance oversight of juvenile and adult forensic evaluators, supervisors, clinicians, and contracted provider organizations.
• Direct the development and expansion of diversion programs in collaboration with law enforcement, mobile crisis services, specialty courts, and other behavioral health and public safety partners.
• Partner with the Trial Court to oversee court clinic and specialty court clinical services and serve as the Department’s subject matter expert on forensic clinical practices and court-related processes.
• Coordinate with the Department of Correction and other state agencies to support continuity of care, reentry, and effective services for individuals involved with the criminal justice system.
• Provide clinical consultation, supervision, training, and guidance to Area Directors, Medical Directors, forensic leadership, and staff regarding complex cases, risk management, and individuals with significant behavioral health needs.
• Establish and oversee programs and services addressing mental illness and problematic sexual behaviors, including statewide assessment, treatment, risk management, and related clinical initiatives.
• Manage contracts, resources, staffing, performance expectations, and operational priorities for statewide forensic services while collaborating with DMH fiscal, human resources, legal, and administrative teams.
• Advise senior DMH leadership on forensic mental health policy, legislation, service capacity, resource needs, and emerging opportunities to strengthen prevention, early intervention, treatment, and justice-system diversion.

Special Requirement: Applicants must possess a n independent Psychologistlicense, Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.orD.O.),or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of mental health service delivery system.
• Knowledge of legal system and statutes.
• Knowledge of standards for court ordered evaluation and multi-disciplinarytraining interfacing mental health and the law.
• Ability to negotiate with vendors and set performance standards.
• Ability to plan and implement service delivery system.
• At least 5 years of budgetary management experience.
• At least 5 years of experience working with a mental health system, including clinical responsibility and oversight.
• At least 5 years of experience with the criminal justice system.
• At least 5 years of experience performing forensic evaluations on an inpatient unit.
• Certified as a Designated Forensic Psychologist or is eligible for Designated Forensic Psychologist candidacy pursuant to the requirements of 104 CMR 33.04. OR Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.orD.O.) with a fellowship in forensic psychiatry from an ACGME accredited fellowship program.

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

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 Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in a particular specialty (i.e. scientific, professional, or technical) and must possess current license and/or registration requirements established for the performance of the position, of which (B) at least four (4) years must have been in a managerial capacity.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must possess current licensure and/or registration requirements established for the performance of the position.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

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.

An Equal Opportunity / Affinitive 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, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Program Manager Specialist X

Job

Community and Social Services

Agency

Department of Mental Health

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Aug 25, 2026, 3:01:03 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

132,647.50 - 205,837.24 Yearly

Bargaining Unit

M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential

No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule

Yes

If you have Diversity, Affinitive Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Christina Hyppolite, [e-mail] - 8572835830