Mental Health Program Specialist VI - Austin - Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Description

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.Functional Title: Mental Health Program Specialist VI Job Title: Program Specialist VI Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: BHH OPERATIONS Posting Number: 2494 Closing Date: 02/22/2025 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Telework: Travel: Up to 20% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Facility Location: Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST Other Locations: MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Peer Support and Recovery Services Program Director, the Program Specialist VI performs consultative and technical tasks related to the development and implementation of HHSC agency mental health focused activities and services that support people with lived experience. The primary focus is to provide technical assistance and guidance to Local Mental/Behavioral health (LMHA/BHA) authorities around mental health support and integration. Including providing guidance regarding Medicaid billing and program implementation. The Program Specialist VI is part of the Peer Support and Recovery Services Programs team, in the Substance Use Programs Planning and Policy Unit. The Peer Support and Recovery team is a group of individuals that have subject matter expertise in peer and family support and recovery-oriented services. The PSVI will help in the following program areas:

• Peer workforce development
• Mental health technical assistance for peer support services.
• Peer Respite programs
• Liaison efforts with Medicaid and with other agencies who provide peer services

The team interfaces with external partners to coordinate policy development and analysis that involves state health and human services issues, specifically services that impact mental. The Program Specialist VI works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The PSVI will focus on providing technical assistance on mental health services across the state. Reviews proposed federal/state statutes and regulations that impact HHS agencies and provides consultation and guidance to ensure compliance. Implements initiatives and projects across agency and HHS and with external partners that support HHS agencies in achieving their goals and objectives.

Provides highly advanced planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to achieve HHSC priorities, policy development and coordination. Works across HHS and in coordination with HHSC divisions, across HHS and external partners to develop policies and coordinate implementation, consultation. Represents the Peer and Recovery Services Director as requested at meetings and hearings. Initiates, develops, and ensures the coordination of briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, bill analyses and memorandums for executive management review and decision-making. Responds to legislative correspondence and requests ensuring coordination with appropriate staff. Meets with fiscal and budget staff to provide guidance and input in assessing the fiscal impact of proposed policy changes. Represents HHSC on external Councils, Committees, or workgroups.

Essential Job Function (EJFs)

1. (40%)
   Oversees the processes to provide assistance, advice and direction to the health and human services agencies to ensure policies, procedures and processes are in compliance with HHSC guidance and legal mandates as they occur. Represents the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in coordinating the development and implementation of HHSC agency activities and functions that improve and enhance collaboration and partnerships between HHSC and external partners such as, Texas academic institutions, medical institutions, professional licensing board boards such as the social work and professional counseling, non-HHS state agencies, and county and local agencies. Interfaces with external partners to coordinate policy development and analysis that involves state health and human services issues pertaining to peer services. Escalates issues to management as appropriate for decision making and or resolution.
2. (25%)
   Assists the Director in reviewing changes in legislation affecting the health and human services agencies and coordinates with budget and fiscal departments to determine the impact on agencies. Implements initiatives and projects with external partners that support HHS agencies in achieving their goals and objectives. Provides complex executive and managerial planning, implementation and evaluation of strategies to achieve HHSC priorities, policy development and coordination.
3. (20%)
   Works on cross agency and HHS projects as assigned by the Mental Health Director of Peer and Recovery Services related to behavioral health and intellectual disabilities. Reviews proposed federal/state statutes and federal/state regulations that impacts HHS agencies and provides consultation and guidance to ensure compliance. Initiates, develops and ensures the coordination of briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, bill analyses and memorandums for executive management review and decision-making.
4. (10%)
   Serves on advisory boards as requested. Attends council or committee meetings as needed. Responds to legislative correspondence and requests ensuring coordination with appropriate staff. Represents HHSC on external Councils, Committees or workgroups. Prepares updates to legislative leadership, executive management.
5. (5%)
   Other duties as assigned.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

Mental Health Peer Specialist certification, Recovery Support Peer Specialist certification, Family Partner certification or Peer Support Supervisor certification from the Texas Certification Board

Knowledge Skills Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Peer support and recovery service delivery system in Texas including best practices, evidence-based practices, and fidelity. Strong understanding of the Texas Resilience and Recovery Model as outlined in the Utilization Management Guidelines. Understanding of Medicaid programs in Texas. Local, state, and federal laws applicable to behavioral health services. Principles of health and human services policy and planning. Knowledge of the legislative process.

SKILLS IN:
Effective verbal communication and public speaking, exceptional writing skills, data analysis, data reporting, and qualitative interpretation of complex policy issues. Effective facilitation of technical assistance and support to program services staff and contractors. Must comprehend complex issues and prioritize activities to meet strict deadlines, identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions to complex policy and implementation. Skill in developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems. Skill in developing, writing and editing executive documents and briefings.

ABILITY TO:
Communicate effectively orally and in writing. Gather, assemble, and correlate and analyze facts. Demonstrates strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, perform effectively and produce results. Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with external and internal partners and work cooperatively in a team environment, including the ability to work with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with various level personnel in governmental entities and programs. Develop complex, detailed implementation plans; develop products to support the implementation of evidence-based practices; develop materials for training and events; lead cross functional work groups; support contracts related to behavioral health services; develop statewide rules for behavioral health policy; ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse professionals and stakeholders.

Initial Screening Criteria

Must have Mental Health Peer Specialist certification, Recovery Support Peer Specialist certification, Family Partner certification or Peer Support Supervisor certification from the Texas Certification Board
Must pass screening assessment

Additional Information

Applicant will be required to complete an in-basket exercise at the conclusion of the oral interview.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form