Program Specialist VII

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Functional Title: Program Specialist VII
Job Title: Program Specialist VII
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: BH-Adult Mental Health Svcs
Posting Number: 21432
Closing Date: 09/29/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Range: $5,797.66- $9,508.25
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 30%
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,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description:

Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Forensic and Jail Diversion Services (FJDS) Unit seeks a Program Specialist VII (PSVII). This PSVII reports to an Associate Director (Director I) within the FJDS Unit. This position is located in the Adult, Crisis, and Forensic Mental Health Services Division, Behavioral Health Services Department.

This PSVII performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work related to the provision of statewide diversion and justice-related activities and programs for individuals with serious mental illness, including the provision of mental health services that involve outpatient and residential crisis services for individuals who are, or at risk of becoming, justice-involved. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing major agency programs in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders such as county jails and state hospitals. This position works to address access to care and continuity of care issues through collaboration with Local Mental Health Authorities, Local Behavioral Health Authorities, the criminal justice system, and other local entities to ensure people’s needs are addressed in the least restrictive environment.

This position serves as a Team Lead and may be responsible for providing direction to other program staff within the FJDS Unit. This position will have responsibilities related to the design and implementation of evidence-based practices; research and development of statewide or pilot programming in conjunction with evidence-based best practices; revision of statewide guidelines and performance contract language; creation of policy interpretation documents; development of legislative appropriations requests; drafting prompt responses to requests for information, and serving as a public speaker or division representative with stakeholder organizations, inter or intra agency task groups, and other organizations or agencies as requested. This PSVII is informed about the statewide mental health service system, including program practices, program design and implementation, and oversight of programs under the purview of FJDS. When directed, this PSVII works with FJDS staff to set priorities, develop standards for program deliverables, provide staff training, and use quality assurance processes to optimize quality and ensure accuracy of work deliverables.

This position requires strong analytical and writing skills and must maintain updated knowledge regarding recovery-oriented services and engagement, in addition to service delivery systems that support people with mental illness involved or at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. This PSVII works under limited supervision and leads projects, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs related work as assigned.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

1. Plans, prioritizes, and performs a variety of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative assistance and activities related to access to care for individuals with justice involvement that enhance the continuum of diversion and justice-related programs. This team member serves as a subject matter expert on forensic and jail diversion services. (30%)
2. Implements evidence-based practices, revises statewide guidelines and performance contract language, creates policy interpretation briefing documents, and analyzes program-specific legislation. The position participates in the development of rules, policies, and regulations and contracts related to crisis, forensic, and jail diversion services. This position analyzes complex policy implementation issues and creates various documents and spreadsheets to provide education to internal staff and external stakeholders (20%)
3. Oversees specific programs/pilots; provides input on policy issues arising from quality management activities; assists with the procurement, development, oversight, and coordination of specific external contracts (including federal grants); provides training and technical assistance to internal staff and external stakeholders, facilitating statewide conference calls, assisting with quantitative and qualitative analysis that includes identifying trends related to program services and expenditures; supports ongoing research and analysis activities related to jail diversion and justice-related enhanced behavioral health services; provides detailed input regarding information systems and reporting guidelines; ensures programs adhere to applicable state and federal grant and contracting requirements, including expenditures, and agency policy and procedures. (20%)
4. Develops and oversees complex, detailed implementation plans; facilitates cross-functional meetings and workgroups; represents Behavioral Health Services or HHSC at public meeting; develops financial spreadsheets; takes a leadership role in internal and external workgroups; briefs leadership, and prepares briefing documents, tables, meeting agendas, slide presentations or talking points for leadership presentations or public testimony. Documents and escalates issues in a timely manner to Supervisors. (20%)
5. Completes other duties as assigned in accordance with the direction of the FJDS Director or Associate Directors, or their designee. (10%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:
Forensic services, jail diversion services, behavioral health crisis services, adult mental health programs, and substance use issues and services; recovery, resiliency, engagement and service delivery, including Texas Resilience and Recovery as it has rolled out in Texas. Basic knowledge of the criminal justice system, substance use treatment, prevention, and Medicaid programs/services in Texas.

Skill In:
Effective verbal communication and public speaking, exceptional writing skills, data analysis and reporting, and qualitative interpretation of complex policy issues. Effective facilitation of contractors struggling with implementation of behavioral health service; quickly comprehend complex issues and prioritize activities to meet strict deadlines; identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions to complex policy and implementation.

Ability to:
Develop complex, detailed implementation plans; lead team projects and delegate tasks appropriate to accomplish team objectives; develop products to support the implementation of evidence-based practices; develop materials for training and TA events; lead cross functional work groups; support contracts related to behavioral health services, crisis, forensic, and jail diversion programs; develop statewide rules for program policy; ability to guide and maintain strong relationships with diverse professionals and stakeholders.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A. Mental health professional licensure is preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Degree Required- Bachelor's degree in public health, psychology/sociology, social work, public affairs, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Master's degree is preferred.

Experience within the forensic and jail diversion system is preferred.

Experience using complex data sets and experience managing large systems change initiatives is preferred.
Experience in direct provision or management/administration of public mental health services is preferred.

Experience with behavioral health rules and the development of contract language and experience managing large systems change initiatives is preferred.

Additional Information:

This position is telework eligible. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business need.

The candidate must reside in Texas or be willing to relocate to Texas before the hire date.

The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum allowable by state law. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual Chapter 7.

Disclaimer: Salary typically falls in the mid-range of posting.

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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 View phone number on aiapply.co. 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.