Recovery Services Bureau Clinical Services Director

Boston Public Health Commission; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health organization in Boston is seeking a Clinical Services Director to oversee clinical operations in substance use recovery programs. The role involves ensuring trauma-informed and quality practices across multiple services while providing leadership and support. A Master’s degree in social services and licensure are required, with a strong foundation in public health addressing inequities and substantial leadership experience in clinical settings. Candidates should aim to advance racial health equity within the community.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social service field. LCSW/ LICSW or LMHC required.
• Experience with substance use and co-occurring disorders.
• Knowledge of trauma and trauma-informed care principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee clinical operations for clinical services director.
• Provide clinical leadership and support across programs.
• Collaborate with Bureau leadership for quality improvements.

Skills

Knowledge of public health addressing racism

Clinical skills in treatment of use disorders

Crisis intervention

Bilingual/bicultural skills

Education

Master's degree in social service field

LCSW or LICSW or LMHC required

Job description

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of anti-racism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.

Job Description

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) Recovery Services Bureau (RSB) offers comprehensive programming and resources aimed at reducing the harms associated with substance use, including providing treatment services, recovery supports, and youth prevention. RSB operates across the continuum of care, spanning outreach and engagement, harm reduction, naloxone distribution, residential treatment, referral services, and more. RSB has over 150 personnel working across more than 10 programs. Three programs within RSB focused on substance use continuum of care and residential treatment. Programs on BPHC’s Mattapan Campus include:

Entre Familia: Entre Familia is a 6-to-12-month residential substance use treatment program that provides bilingual/bicultural, gender-specific, substance use disorder treatment to pregnant and postpartum women and their children. The program serves pregnant and postpartum women and their children has the capacity to serve up to 19 women and 26 children.

Transitions: Transitions is a short‑term, residential Transitional Support Services (TSS) program serving adults of all genders living with alcohol and/or substance use disorders and is funded and licensed by the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), Department of Public Health (DPH). The program has the capacity to serve up to 65 individuals.

In the South End:

PAATHS: PAATHS (Providing Access to Addictions Treatment, Hope and Support) is a centralized resource for individuals and families seeking addiction treatment and recovery support.

Reporting to the Associate Bureau Director, the clinical services director will oversee clinical operations for the RSB programs including PAATHS, Entre Familia, and Transitions Programs. The Director will ensure that all clinical services across these programs are delivered with consistency, quality, and alignment to trauma‑informed and harm reduction practices. This role provides Bureau‑wide clinical leadership, including trauma response, post‑incident debriefing, and the development of staff training and professional development initiatives.

DUTIES:

Works to help BPHC advance as an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti‑Racism Policy.

Leadership and Programming

• Provides direct supervision and clinical oversight to Program Directors of PAATHS, Entre Familia, and Transitions program directors and provide clinical supervision to clinical interns and staff.
• Leads the Bureau’s clinical support function, including trauma response, post‑incident debriefing, and staff trainings including but not limited to De‑escalation techniques, CPI and Trauma‑Informed Care.
• Ensures consistent application of trauma‑informed and harm reduction principles across all residential and navigation programs.
• Collaborates with Bureau leadership to strengthen quality improvement, performance management, and program development.
• Serves as a key member of the RSB leadership team, contributing to policy development, workforce wellness, and integration of clinical practices.
• Builds partnerships across internal teams and community providers to enhance service coordination and continuity of care, including development of program protocols to increase care engagement and connection across care levels.

Clinical and Client Services

• Provides clinical leadership, consultation and support across RSB programs as needed.
• Guides staff and directors in managing complex cases, crisis response, and client care coordination.
• Leads or coordinates trauma response activities following critical incidents.
• Supports professional development through clinical training, mentorship, and reflective supervision.
• Participates in Bureau‑level planning, data review, and evaluation to ensure alignment with public health goals.
• Meets regularly with supervisors and colleagues to discuss program operations and confidential matters.
• Operates independently.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
• Master’s degree in social service field. LCSW/ LICSW or LMHC required or eligibility for licensure and obtainment of licensure within 6 months of hire.
• Experience in the delivery of services to individuals with substance use and/or co‑occurring disorders, mental illness, HIV risk, incarceration and/or criminal justice involvement.
• Strong theoretical knowledge and working clinical skills on etiology & treatment of use disorders, MI, CBT, and crisis intervention.
• Strong working understanding of, and ability to comply with, confidentiality and privacy laws.
• Familiarity with area resources for use disorders and mental health including those for acute and crisis level of need.
• Knowledge of trauma and trauma‑informed care principles and best‑practices.
• Experience with individual and group treatment modalities, psychosocial assessments and comprehensive treatment planning.
• Experience in working with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds preferred.
• Familiarity with operations of clinical projects, protocols, ethical standards, and staff training.
• Bilingual/bicultural skills strongly preferred.

Additional Information

• City of Boston residency is required; Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway‑Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mid‑Dorchester, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury, Wharf district.
• A Criminal Offenders Records Information request must be completed for this position. However, a record is not an automatic bar to employment but is reviewed in relation to the job applied for.
• Certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties.
• Any position that requires an advanced degree will be subject to education verification.
• Certain positions at the BPHC may be Grant Funded.
• The Boston Public Health Commission is an EEO Employer and all applicants meeting the minimum requirements are eligible to apply.
• Certain positions at the BPHC may require Child Protective Service Background verification.
• The advertised shift and schedule are subject to change at the department's discretion.

Shift

35 hours/week, Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 PM, some evenings as needed; On call regularly.

This position is not dependent on grants / external funding sources.