Perinatal Mental Health Senior Specialist

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Division of Pregnancy, Infancy and Early Childhood (DPIE) within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is seeking a Perinatal Mental Health Senior Specialist to advance maternal health equity. The role supports the development, expansion, implementation, integration, and evaluation of perinatal mental health and substance use programs and their effects on perinatal outcomes. It includes program management, integration, innovation, workforce training and support, stakeholder engagement, communication and outreach, and data and outcomes monitoring. The specialist also participates in or coordinates special projects involving program planning, implementation infrastructure, innovation, and collaboration across related programs and initiatives. The role provides statewide strategic direction for integrating perinatal mental health and substance use services across hospitals, birth centers, community health centers, home visiting programs, and other care settings. It develops continuity-of-care strategies and aligns work across DPIE, the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, including efforts involving Moms-do-care and First Steps Together. It also supports cross-divisional approaches to the connections between infant health and perinatal mental health. The specialist defines program and policy frameworks, standards, training materials, and guidance related to screening, reporting pathways for substance-exposed newborns, family care plans, regulations, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. The position guides statewide partnerships and coordination, including a Leadership Council and a strategic partnership with the Perinatal-Neonatal Quality Improvement Network. It oversees workforce development strategy, analyzes statewide data and research to guide equitable, evidence-based approaches, coordinates with infant mental health and home visiting programs, and provides strategic oversight of community-based services. The position also oversees up to five postpartum depression contracts with community health centers totaling more than $860,000 annually and up to five perinatal mood and anxiety disorder contracts with community-based organizations totaling more than $220,000 annually. A current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License may be required based on assignment. A criminal background check and verification of education, licensure, and certifications are part of the pre-hire process.

Requirements

At least four years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional or paraprofessional experience in social work, social casework, health care administration, public health program administration, hospital administration, or program administration or management, with at least two years in a professional capacity, or an equivalent combination of experience and permitted substitutions.
Knowledge of human services planning, including social, economic, technological, and ecological factors and trends affecting service delivery.
Proficiency in statistical methods and terminology, including calculating and interpreting means, medians, modes, and standard deviations and preparing related charts, graphs, and tables.
Strong analytical skills, including assessing data for relevance, drawing informed conclusions, and making sound, actionable recommendations.
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to program activities and decisions.
Skill in gathering, organizing, and compiling information through document review and interpersonal communication, following established formats and procedures.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including writing clear and concise reports, giving accurate instructions, and presenting ideas logically.
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.
Strong organization and attention to detail; ability to work independently, handle confidential information discreetly, and exercise sound judgment under minimal supervision.
Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
A bachelor's degree in social work, health care administration, hospital administration, public health, or health services administration may substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
A graduate degree in social work, health care administration, hospital administration, public health, or health services administration may substitute for up to three years of the required experience and one year of the professional-capacity experience; educational substitutions are limited to a maximum of one year of the professional-capacity experience.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of the role and scope of practice of doulas and midwives.
Knowledge of the current maternal health landscape in Massachusetts.
Ability to manage projects and ensure deliverables are met.
Strong community outreach and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Oversee integration of perinatal mental health and substance use initiatives across healthcare and community settings, and establish statewide priorities and standards.
Design and advance statewide continuity-of-care and service-integration strategies, and oversee implementation across partners and settings.
Lead cross-bureau strategy with the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to integrate Moms-do-care and First Steps Together into obstetric and pediatric care systems.
Lead cross-divisional strategy on the relationship between infant health and wellbeing and perinatal mental health, including issues involving children with special healthcare needs, infant death, and infant mental health.
Define programmatic and policy frameworks for dual reporting pathways for substance-exposed newborns and family care plans, and oversee implementation across provider systems.
Establish program standards and oversee development of training materials and guidance on screening, notification pathways, family care plans, regulations, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorder.
Establish and guide a Leadership Council, including its structure, purpose, and role in informing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders strategy.
Oversee engagement of families with lived experience, providers, and community stakeholders to inform system improvements.
Lead and manage the strategic partnership with the Perinatal-Neonatal Quality Improvement Network to advance dissemination, training, and quality improvement aligned with priorities.
Build and sustain partnerships with healthcare providers, local public health departments, home visiting programs, and community-based organizations to align efforts and avoid duplication.
Assess workforce capacity and set training strategy, standards, priorities, and competencies for providers, social workers, home visitors, and other allies.
Oversee development and dissemination of workforce training resources and initiatives.
Analyze and interpret statewide maternal mental health and substance use data, including maternal mortality reports, PRAMS, PELL, and Public Health Data Warehouse data, and develop evidence-based strategies to address disparities.
Seek evidence on infant mental health and other infant-related factors that affect perinatal mental health, and design strategies to address them.
Coordinate with DPIE infant mental health programs to identify intersections and opportunities for collaboration.
Work with Home Visiting partnerships to identify opportunities to improve and expand community services.
Oversee up to five postpartum depression contracts with community health centers, totaling upwards of $860,000 annually, and up to five PMAD contracts with community-based organizations, totaling upwards of $220,000 annually.
Participate in or coordinate special projects supporting program planning, innovation, implementation infrastructure, and collaboration across programs and initiatives.