Deputy Associate Commissioner for Disaster Behavioral Health Coordination

Date: Jun 18, 2026 Location: AUSTIN, TX 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: Deputy Associate Commissioner for Disaster Behavioral Health Coordination Job Title: Director III Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: BH Disaster Services Posting Number: 18005 Closing Date: 07/02/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Range: $7,716.66 - $13,051.00 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-28 Shift: Day Telework: Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 40% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST Other Locations: MOS Codes: 8003,8040,8041,8042,10C0,111X,112X,113X,114X,20C0,30C0,40C0,611X,612X,631X,641X,648X,90G0,91C0,91W0,97E0,SEI15 Brief Job Description The Director III, functionally titled, the Deputy Associate Commissioner (DAC) for the Disaster Behavioral Health Coordination (DBHC) program directs reports to the Associate Commissioner (AC) for Mental Health Programs in the Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division. HHSC’s BHS Division is responsible for the design, implementation, and oversight of community-based mental health and substance use (i.e., behavioral health) services. The DAC for DBHC serves as the State Disaster Behavioral Health Coordinator (i.e., the individual identified by the state mental health authority as responsible for state disaster behavioral health preparedness, response and response). Acts as the main point of contact for the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The DAC for DBHC oversees staffing, training, reporting, data analysis, and fiscal monitoring of the DBHC program and works with other disaster service agencies to ensure coordination of behavioral health response and recovery operations to mitigate duplication of services. The DAC for DBHC conducts regular site visits to providers and accompanies crisis counselors as an observer to ensure appropriate services are delivered. The DAC for DBHC performs advanced, senior‑level, managerial work providing direction and guidance over state level strategic disaster planning, response, and recovery operations and oversight of federal disaster funding; and works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Essential Job Functions EJF 1 (25%): Leads the state disaster behavioral health planning, response and recovery operations. Serves as the point of contact for TDEM, FEMA and SAMHSA. Oversees staffing, training, reporting, data analysis, and fiscal monitoring. Directs staff to ensure oversight, monitoring, and compliance of federal disaster funding. Provides direction, guidance, and assistance to program. EJF 2 (25%): Serves as the liaison with internal and external stakeholders. Represents the agency at local, state, and federal disaster‑related meetings, hearings, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees. Works with other disaster service agencies to ensure coordination of behavioral health response and no duplication of services. Explains program and agency statutory requirements relating to the federal disaster funding. Consults with public and private agencies involved to resolve problems, identify training needs and discuss effectiveness. Works with and speaks to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve and secure financial management support for federal disaster related funding. Represents HHSC at high‑level meetings within the community and state leadership meetings. EJF 3 (25%): May respond to critical incidents or disasters by deploying to the impacted area within 24‑hours. Conducts site visits to providers and accompanies crisis counselors as an observer to ensure appropriate services are delivered. Supervises the development and implementation of techniques for evaluating federal disaster activities. Develops and establishes goals and objectives to meet HHSC mission requirements. Establishes priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in deadlines and goals. Identifies the need to revise targets. EJF 4 (25%): Analyzes operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations. Reviews results of special federal disaster investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises to provide direction and guidance. Organizes and prepares materials in response to requests for program information and reports related to the federal disaster funding. Conducts bill analysis and implements legislation. Licensure, Certification or Registration No licensure, certifications, or registrations are required to perform this job. Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Knowledge of disaster behavioral health programs, including federal and state guidelines, regulations, programs, policies and procedures. Knowledge of federal disaster contracts, funding, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of public administration and management techniques and program management processes. Skill in responding to disasters in a behavioral health environment and working within grant parameters. Skill in project management and the ability to lead project teams; work with multiple stakeholders, and provide oversight to contracted vendors. Skill in using personal computer application software such as Visio, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project or similar programs. Skill in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations and write technical information in an understandable format. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to conduct sophisticated research; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures. Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in a fast‑paced, deadline‑oriented environment. Ability to communicate effectively and to train, lead, assign, and prioritize staff workloads. Ability to provide senior‑level management and technical assistance to manage the federal disaster requirements. Ability to function as lead support to state crisis counseling response and main contact for TDEM, FEMA & SAMHSA. Ability to provide financial technical assistance to sub‑contractors as appropriate. Initial Screening Criteria Bachelor’s degree in public health or a related field. 2 years experience working with local, state, and federal‑level agencies responsible for disaster response. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io. 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. Telework Disclaimer This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs. Nearest Major Market: Austin #J-18808-Ljbffr Texas Health and Human Services