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Samhsa Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

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Samhsa information

See Boston, MA salary details

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$24

$31

How much do samhsa jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for samhsa in Boston, MA is $24.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.68 and $26.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are SAMHSA jobs?

SAMHSA jobs focus on providing services to this government agency. In a SAMHSA job, you may help to administer a program, determine eligibility for rehabilitation or behavior health treatment, or analyze data. Many SAMHSA positions do not work within the agency itself. Instead, like most government agencies, SAMHSA contracts out a significant part of its work. This agency also supports indirect jobs, such as positions that advise clients and companies on data reporting requirements. SAMHSA jobs often have names like program coordinator or data consultant, so you may need to carefully read job postings to determine whether or not they are a good match for your skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a SAMHSA program specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a SAMHSA Program Specialist, you need expertise in behavioral health, program management, and relevant educational credentials such as a degree in public health or social work. Familiarity with grants management systems, data analysis software, and federal reporting tools is typically required. Strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder engagement skills help build effective partnerships and drive program success. These skills ensure programs are managed efficiently, outcomes are measured accurately, and the agency’s mission to improve mental health and substance use outcomes is achieved.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working at SAMHSA and how can they be addressed?

Professionals working at SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) often encounter challenges such as navigating complex federal regulations, managing large-scale public health initiatives, and coordinating efforts across multiple agencies and stakeholders. Adapting to rapidly changing policy landscapes and addressing the diverse needs of communities nationwide can also be demanding. These challenges are typically addressed through ongoing professional development, cross-agency collaboration, and leveraging data-driven approaches to inform decision-making. Building strong communication skills and staying informed about best practices in behavioral health are also essential for success in this environment.

What is the difference between Samhsa vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectSamhsaSubstance Abuse Counselor
CredentialsVaries; often includes certifications like CSAC or CADCState-specific licensure or certification, such as CADC or CAC
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, treatment centers, community programsRehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, private practices
Employer & IndustryFederal, state, and local health agenciesPrivate and public addiction treatment facilities

Samhsa (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is a federal agency that oversees mental health and substance abuse programs, while a Substance Abuse Counselor is a licensed professional providing direct client care. Samhsa develops policies and grants, whereas counselors work directly with individuals to support recovery.

What are popular job titles related to Samhsa jobs in Boston, MA?

For Samhsa jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Samhsa job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,333 per year, or $24.2 per hour.

Epidemiologist I - Recovery Services Program Evaluator

Boston Public Health Commission

Boston, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

We are seeking an Epidemiologist who will work on program evaluation and data-related activities for multiple grant-funded programs in the RSB. This grant funded position will primarily develop evaluation tools and support assessment of the impact of all Youth Prevention programs including: the CopeCode Club prevention campaign (SAMHSA SPF-PFS grant), Youth Mental Health Advocacy Council, the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) Framework, Wellness & Resilience programs, Implementation of SUD in Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) programs, and Third Space Initiatives (MassCall3 Grant). They will focus on supporting the capacity of the Youth Prevention Program team and other partnering organizations doing analytic work related to youth prevention, positive youth development, and restorative prevention.
This role will provide data development and analysis for both internal and external uses. They will enhance the understanding of the programs' effects, offer suggestions for improvement, and contribute to future citywide evaluation initiatives. This role will be jointly funded by the SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework - Partnerships for Success grant, Opioid Settlements, and the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) dollars. A smaller fraction of the position hours will be dedicated to supporting expanding the data dashboards and surveillance efforts of OD2A, as well as providing flexible support to emerging evaluation and epidemiology needs in RSB.
This position sits in PHSI and works closely with program and bureau leadership at the Recovery Services Bureau to use data to improve quality of services, enhance service operations, and evaluate the impact of programs. By combining modern data analysis and visualizations with a deeply engaged approach to performance improvement and change management, the Program Evaluator works with teams across RSB and PHSI to solve challenging problems, build more effective services, and deliver better outcomes.
Reporting to the Public Health Scientist, the ideal candidate will have experience working with and engaging community organizations, especially around the topics of prevention and substance use; will have skills in assessment and evaluation strategies, drafting professional quality reports, using technological tools to simplify data gathering, and connecting data to real-life impact; and will be excited build their quantitative capacities, and to learn and be part of a collaborative, caring team and network of City and community partners.
Essential Functions
  • Works with the Public Health Scientist and the Youth Prevention program leadership to design and conduct program-specific analyses that inform program and policy development, with a focus on racial and health inequities.
  • Helps BPHC advance as an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti-Racism Policy.
  • Coordinates and provides technical assistance to community programs in reporting their grant data deliverables.
  • Plans and facilitates qualitative data collection such as focus groups and key informant interviews.
  • Evaluates technical assistance and capacity-building for substance use and prevention education, including training delivery and community engagement.
  • Evaluates the outcomes and impact of integrating substance use prevention programming with VIP programming, including changes in capacity and knowledge levels.
  • Identifies needs, opportunities, and sources of data for further investigation in areas related to relevant population groups served and their heath equity experience including the role of social determinants.
  • Reviews youth behavior surveillance (for example, Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)) data on an on-going basis to establish baselines and identify trends.
  • Prepares data briefs, targeted reports, online dashboards, and social media content in partnership with other program staff and community partners.
  • Performs data analyses and prepares results for review including for grant reports and applications.
  • Collects and synthesizes public health literature, including peer-reviewed journal articles, for development of proposals, reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed articles.
  • Produces data visualization content, including tables, charts, maps, infographics, online content, and other descriptive formats.
  • Works with the OD2A Project Director and RSB Epidemiologist to support data cleaning and analysis for the Boston Overdose Dashboard, as well as participating in strategic planning for new dashboard reports and integration of additional datasets.
  • Supports data quality and data improvement processes across RSB programs, as needed.
  • Collaborate with PHSI staff on data analysis for reports, presentations, and data requests.
  • Provides direct analytic mentoring to bureau/program staff.
  • Communicates program evaluation information through oral presentations to both professional and non-professional audiences.
  • Prepares manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.
  • Attend internal and external meetings as required.
  • Performs other duties as required.

  • 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.
  • Commitment to health equity and racial/social justice issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with public health and healthcare professionals and internal partners.
  • Deep understanding of the fundamentals and principles of program evaluation, epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, and data visualization.
  • Ability to clean data and assess and ensure data quality with attention to detail.
  • Ability to perform statistical data manipulation, cleaning, and analyses.
  • Experience in coordinating with external partners and stakeholders, organizing and setting up meetings and discussions, taking meeting minutes and notes.
  • Knowledge and application of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements and protection of health information.
  • Apply principles of informatics towards data collection, processing, and analysis in support of evaluation practice.
  • Uses leadership and systems thinking in evaluation planning and development.
  • High level analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Completes assignments in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Ability to prioritize, manage multiple/competing tasks, and work flexibly both independently and as part of diverse teams.
  • Demonstrate reliability and integrity.

Education/Experience
  • Master's degree in public health or related field, or equivalent work experience (e.g., 2 or more years in public health), required.
  • Advanced knowledge and experience with statistical software such as SAS, R, and/or R studio required.
  • Experience with database software such as ETO, RedCap, Epi Info, Access, SharePoint, or another database highly preferred.
  • Advanced knowledge of GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS, or mapping packages in R are highly desirable.
  • Experience analyzing BRFSS, YRBS, or other complex survey design data a plus.
  • Familiarity with issues pertaining to health inequity and youth prevention programs.
  • Experience working in community and/or community groups preferred.
  • Experience in management, cleaning and analyzing data required.
  • Experience in reporting and visualization of public health or epidemiological data required.
  • Experience in coordinating complex projects is preferred.
  • This position may require direct participant contact and therefore certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties.