Compliance officer iii

The Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), Quality Assurance and Licensing Unit (QAAL), is seeking a qualified candidate to join its team as a Compliance Officer III (CO III).

The QAAL Unit is responsible for the regulatory oversight of licensed substance addiction treatment programs and licensed alcohol and drug counselors throughout the Commonwealth. The unit also reviews, investigates, and responds to complaints involving BSAS licensees and funded service providers.

The Compliance Officer III is responsible for monitoring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, and established policies. The incumbent reviews complaints, documentation, and other relevant information related to alleged violations, conducts investigations, gathers evidence and facts, and collaborates with agency personnel to assess compliance concerns. The CO III confers with involved parties, conducts interviews, prepares investigative reports, and may testify at administrative hearings when required.

In addition, the Compliance Officer III will onboard and train BSAS staff on complaint intake and referral procedures, complaint documentation standards, investigation documentation requirements, and report-writing practices. The incumbent will maintain and manage the complaint data system, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of complaint-related information.

This position requires travel throughout the Commonwealth to visit BSAS-licensed and/or contracted providers. Candidates must have access to reliable transportation and be able to travel statewide as needed. Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends is also required.

Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Oversee and coordinate inspection activities to ensure effective operations and compliance with laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Monitor licensed providers' activities, services, and functions through observation, interviews, evaluations to ensure compliance with governing laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Review complaints, reports, documents, and other pertinent information received from clients, the general public, licensee staff, and others concerning alleged violations of laws and regulations to determine the appropriateness of the complaint and determine the action to be taken.
• Respond to inquiries to provide information concerning agency policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Determine procedures to be used in collecting information and evidence in connection with complaints and alleged non-compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.
• Obtain evidence and establishes facts and alleged non-compliance with laws, rules, and regulations by interviewing individuals. May involve conducting on-site visits to determine the extent of non-compliance, the validity of complaints, and preparing evidence or information for appropriate action.
• Work together with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other authorities on activities such as surveillance, transcription, and research.
• Determine procedures to be used in collecting information and evidence in connection with investigations.
• Verify information obtained to establish the accuracy and authenticity of facts.
• Write investigative reports, Deficiency Correction Orders (DCO), and prepare other reports concerning assigned activities to provide requested information and make appropriate recommendations to BSAS and QAAL leadership.
• Perform related duties such as maintaining records, attending meetings, and preparing correspondence.
• Recommend concerning changes in policies and procedures governing assigned unit activities and confer with management staff and other agency personnel to provide information, resolve problems, and / or recommend changes in policies and procedures.
• Understanding of general report writing.
• Capacity to use investigative techniques to obtain information and maintain accurate records.
• Skills to utilize computers and applications such as word processing, and spreadsheet software.
• Able to operate a motor vehicle.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of general report writing.
• Capacity to use investigative techniques to obtain information and maintain accurate records.
• Skills to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others and exercise sound judgment.
• Capability to provide oral and written instructions in a precise and understandable manner in addition to deliver effective presentations.
• Aptitude to gather information by examining records and documents and accurately record information provided orally.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data and information, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations to prepare general reports.
• Ability to assemble items of information per established procedures.
• Understanding when to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Skillfulness to comprehend, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Proficiency to follow oral and written instructions with ensuring the principles of risk communication are followed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit.
• Awareness of the types and uses of agency forms and equipment.
• Understanding of the state's computer system and the Bureau's operating network.
• Awareness of rules and regulations for operating a licensed substance abuse treatment program.
• Experience conducting information and fact-finding activities, including interviews, documenting investigative activities and findings, and assessing compliance and/or identification of risk factors.

About the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services:

The Mission of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) is to foster healthy life choices through culturally responsive services that prevent, treat, and promote recovery from substance-related disorders.

Our Guiding Principles include:

• Addiction is a chronic disease that can be successfully prevented and treated.
• Eliminating the stigma associated with addiction is essential to our work.
• Substance use disorders affect individuals, families, and communities across the Commonwealth.
• No single treatment is appropriate for everyone, and medications are an important element of treatment for many individuals.
• People affected by substance addiction should be treated with dignity and respect.
• The Bureau of Substance Addiction Services acknowledges the history of structural racism in the United States and its impact on health outcomes. The Bureau is committed to improving the quality of life for all Commonwealth residents, focusing on traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to ensure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We provide health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

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.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

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

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in investigatory or law enforcement work, or regulatory administration work (B) and equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

A Bachelor's or higher degree may be substituted for a maximum of the two years of the required experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

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.

Comprehensive Benefits

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.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative 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.