Director, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality
What you'd do
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeks a senior executive to serve as Director of the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ). This leader directs the nation's behavioral health statistics, epidemiology, data collection, and program evaluation activities; advises senior leadership on behavioral health policy and research; and oversees data systems and analyses that inform national policy, funding, and public health decisions.
Major duties
Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), the Federal Government's lead organization for behavioral health statistics and epidemiology. Directs the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of national behavioral health data collection, epidemiological studies, statistical systems, and service system evaluations related to substance use and mental health. Oversees the Center's budget, workforce, and operational priorities while establishing national data and research priorities, advancing innovative survey methodologies, and ensuring the quality, integrity, and utility of behavioral health data used to inform federal policy, program development, prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. Serves as SAMHSA's principal advisor and national spokesperson on behavioral health statistics, epidemiology, and evaluation, providing expert guidance to the Assistant Secretary, HHS leadership, the White House, Congress, federal agencies, states, tribes, researchers, and other stakeholders. Leads cross-agency strategic planning and collaboration, oversees national evaluation and data collection initiatives, develops evidence-based policies and performance measures, and ensures data-driven decision-making across SAMHSA programs. Represents the Agency in high-level national and international forums, manages multidisciplinary professional staff, and directs partnerships that strengthen behavioral health surveillance, research, and public health policy nationwide.
What you need to qualify
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. Technical Qualification 1 - Epidemiological Research, Public Health Analytics, and Data Collection Demonstrated executive-level experience developing and implementing strategic approaches for complex epidemiological studies, national data collection activities, and public health research related to substance use and/or mental health. This includes designing and overseeing long-term epidemiological investigations, conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses and evaluations, applying innovative analytical public health strategies, and communicating complex findings and recommendations to executive leadership and senior federal, state, tribal, and other key stakeholders to inform public health policy, programs, and practice. Technical Qualification 2 - Strategic Leadership, Program Management, and Data-Driven Decision Making Demonstrated executive-level experience leading multidisciplinary staff in the development and execution of strategic plans, directing national data collection and analytical initiatives, and managing programs or projects that influence federal and/or state public health policy. This includes using data to monitor organizational performance, evaluate outcomes, guide strategic decision-making, and drive continuous improvement in public health programs, policies, and operations. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.