Program Specialist VII

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work for Office of Behavioral Health Strategy (OBHS). Work involves planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing major agency initiatives and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, government agencies, community organizations, or the general public. This position serves as a lead behavioral health strategist for the OBHS and provides direction to others for behavioral health initiatives specifically under their purview as directed by the Chief Strategist for Behavioral Health or their designee. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the Texas pediatric behavioral health service delivery system.
• Knowledge of the Texas child welfare system.
• Knowledge of public policies guiding the provision of services to children with behavioral health needs.
• Ability to analyze data and produce reports.
• Skill in effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to establish positive inter-agency working relationships at the state and local level.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social work, psychology, or related field.
• Experience in providing or overseeing providers of pediatric behavioral health services.

Nice To Haves

• Licensure in social work, psychology or related field is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Plans, prioritizes, and performs of a variety of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities for assigned program(s) including overseeing the delivery of services; provides high-level technical assistance for a program; and creates efficiencies where opportunities occur.
• Advises and consults with DFPS staff to ensure policies, procedures and processes follow DFPS guidance and legislative mandates.
• Works closely with DFPS divisions including Child Protective Investigations, Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Statewide Intake, Office of Finance, Foster Care Litigation Compliance, Accountability and Internal Affairs, Office of the General Counsel, Internal Audit, Office of the Deputy Commissioner, and the Office of the Chief of Staff to provide technical assistance and training on behavioral health issues that improves the provision of services for youth and families.
• Responsible for assisting with the overall administration and coordination of policy updates related to behavioral health programming.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management of policy and legislative updates relating to behavioral health initiatives.
• Review and provide guidance and technical assistance to OBHS division staff and affiliate divisions within the department regarding policy development, legislative analysis, or project tasks related to behavioral health.
• Performs technical training on program policies and procedures to internal programs focused on behavioral health services initiatives.
• Researches, plans, and assesses policies and procedures with internal and external stakeholders related to behavioral health services initiatives and activities.
• Leads the implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives.
• Leads and/or manages implementation of behavioral health general revenue funded services, Medicaid (STARHealth), Title IV-state plan development (as needed), and implementation of other targeted behavioral health initiatives.
• Analyzes the Legislative Budget Board variance report as applicable.
• Monitors legislative progress towards meeting performance outcomes related to assigned and/or related behavioral health initiatives, and oversight of the successful completion on an ongoing and consistent basis of associated deliverables.
• Escalates issues to senior OBHS management as appropriate for decision making and or resolution.
• Coordinates the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of materials in response to requests for program information and reports.
• Tracks, collects, and analyzes monthly and quarterly performance data and information submitted by Data and Analytics related to behavioral health.
• Completes and monitors required administrative and performance reports, studies, and specialized projects; and recommends appropriate changes to programs.
• When needed, implements initiatives and projects with internal/external partners that support OBHS programs in achieving their goals and objectives.
• Facilitates planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to achieve OBHS priorities, policy development and coordination with state office and field level staff when appropriate.
• Routinely provides timely technical assistance and appropriate trouble shooting to internal and external representatives.
• Consults executive staff, external state agency staff, program specialists, field staff and external stakeholders, when appropriate, related to policy and practice implementation and recommends appropriate changes related to behavioral health services.
• Ensures compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules; and takes corrective action(s) as needed.
• Reviews and coordinates all updates to OBHS policy and practice.
• Works with DFPS divisions to properly develop new policy and practice.
• Coordinates with the Office of the General Counsel to ensure legal compliance of policy development and updates.
• Develops and implements effective techniques for evaluating agency programs, identifies the need for new programs or change to existing programs, and provides guidance to staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures.
• Works on cross agency projects as assigned by the Chief Strategist for Behavioral Health (CSBH) related to OBHS policy and practice.
• Utilizes software programs, such as EXCEL or other like programs, to track and monitor the progress of completion of task assigned.
• Collaborates with OBHS staff and CSBH to identify need for new programs and changes to behavioral health services for the agency.
• Provides guidance to agency leadership and staff across program areas regarding the development and implementation of new methods and procedures related to behavioral health services.
• Performs and/or oversees studies and analyses of operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations.
• Review external data provided to the public for accuracy and compliance for behavioral health related initiatives.
• Initiates reviews of internal data for compliance and clarity to current policy and law as it relates to behavioral health initiatives.
• Develops and disseminates workforce and productivity reports and data to communicate results and develops recommendations for changes or improvements.
• Analyzes legislation to develop recommendations for policy in programmatic issues relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program funding; and assists in responding to legislative and external inquiries and requests.
• Reviews changes in legislation affecting OBHS and coordinates with other divisions and program specialist to determine the impact on the agency programs and divisions.
• Drafts timely responses to legislative inquires.
• Reviews legislative bills that impact OBHS and agency divisions on issues directly or indirectly impacting behavioral health issues by reviewing and providing consultations and guidance to OBHS division and other divisions as appropriate.
• Initiates, develops, and ensures the coordination of legislative documents/correspondence, white papers, bill analyses, and memorandums for executive management review and decision-making are completed timely.
• Speaks to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the program(s) and to secure support for program(s).
• Drafts and coordinates information and communication related to OBHS policy and practice including responses to external partners, public presentations, correspondences, and memoranda for internal and external stakeholders.
• Represents OBHS program at meetings as directed, attends conferences and briefs leadership.
• Consults with public and private agencies involved in the programs to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness.
• Represents OBHS in coordinating the development and implementation of agency activities and functions
• Consults with external partners to improve and enhance collaboration and partnerships between OBHS and external partners such as the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Judicial Commission on Mental Health, Forensic Assessment Children’s Network, Children’s Advocacy Center of Texas, Children’s Commission, federal/state partners and county and local agencies to improve program effectiveness and resolve problems.
• Collaborates with external stakeholders in behavioral health services to identify and address deficiencies or improve procedures to increase efficiencies.
• Identifies training needs for stakeholders and provides management with recommendations.
• Prepares and evaluates program budget requests.
• As assigned, reviews legislative bills to determine fiscal impact to DFPS for programming or initiatives related to behavioral health.
• Coordinates with the Office of Finance to develop and evaluate OBHS budget request and needs to improve services and reduce costs.
• Assists management with developing program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals, and planning program activities in accordance with program objective and goals.
• Consults with internal agency divisions to ensure OBHS program compliance with applicable requirements, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Coordinates with appropriate DFPS divisions and agency staff to conduct reviews and development of policy and practice.
• May coordinate and implement risk and compliance activities.
• Interfaces with external partners to coordinate policy development and analysis that involves agency policy and practice pertaining to behavioral health.
• May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.
• Serves as a subject matter expert regarding behavioral health services and policy, for the division, to provide direction to staff.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level