Transition Specialist Program Coordinator

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: Transition Specialist Program Coordinator
Job Title: Program Specialist VII
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Hospitals Section
Posting Number: 20570
Closing Date: 09/14/2026
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:
Travel: Up to 10%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 909 W 45TH ST BLDG 552
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Program Specialist VII, Transition Specialist Program Coordinator (TSPC), reports to the Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) State Hospitals (SH's) Director of Continuity of Services within the Office of Capacity Management Division of the Health and Specialty Care System. This position performs highly advanced (senior level) program management, consulting and technical assistance to staff, community organizations and others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

The Transition Specialist Program Coordinator serves as the key point of contact for highly complex patient cases transitioning to community settings. Position is responsible for the development and implementation of the HHSC State Hospital Transition Program including leading a state-wide team of Transition Specialists providing training, monitoring, development of tracking systems, processes, procedures of all program activities ensuring appropriateness, effectiveness, consistency, and quality.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Provides professional guidance to Transition Program Staff, Case Workers and consultation to internal and external stakeholders and executive leadership. Identifies obstacles to community transition, engages in the formulation and development of action plans to address the obstacles, administers programming initiatives to overcome identified obstacles and tracks outcomes through internal follow up and data analysis. Actively engages internal and external stakeholders to ensure efficient coordination and communication. Identifies needed program enhancements, formulates, and develops communication documents and reports, creates, and deploys supports and services to enhance the transition program effectiveness. 15%

Consults direct supervisors in the hiring, prioritizing, goal setting of transition staff. Provides oversight and detailed outcome monitoring of community-based placements of patients by staff, sets standards of performance and addresses performance issues. Develops and directs comprehensive training of State Hospital Transition Specialists, conducts ongoing training, consultation and technical assistance to professional staff, executives, local, county and state level interested parties and legally authorized representatives as needed to facilitate service delivery. 25%

Collaborates with other agencies and executives exercising problem solving processes with a focus on creatively addressing barriers in State Hospital patient placements and a wide variety of community programs such as linkage to local authorities, HCBS-AMH, and Adult and Children’s Mental Health Services. Represents the State Office and division in senior level meetings, training, and events with internal and external entities, communicates and presents information in written, verbal and presentation formats providing guidance and consultation to stakeholders, business partners and state-wide committees in the furtherance of program initiatives. 30%

Acts as resource and subject matter expert for detailed/complex verbiage and terms for HHSC patient placement contracting, development of Operating Procedures for adoption by Governing Bodies, Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Rules and revisions. 5%

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. 5%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of State Hospital and community mental health programs in Texas including key policies, programs, and critical issues.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to state hospitals and discharge planning and of the principles and practices of public administration, management, and behavioral health care.

Knowledge of the complex mental health and physical health needs of persons who are difficult to discharge from state hospitals

Knowledge of effective project management techniques and principles.

Skill in effectively communicating with agency executives, criminal justice and legal system leaders, key stakeholders, program administrators, other professionals

Skill in highly complex and creative programmatic problem solving.

Skill in building collaborative relationships, proposing and initiating transformational change in partnership with various parts of the behavioral health system.

Skill in effective verbal and written communication and public speaking practices appropriate for audiences ranging from executives, community leaders to program staff and patients.

Ability to conduct research and engage in analyzing, reporting, and interpreting complex behavioral health data sets for various audiences and present analysis to executives, program management and other stakeholders.

Skill in helping teams manage multiple and competing priorities in a fast-paced and complex environment.

Ability to independently identify problems/barriers, including system-level barriers, and evaluate alternatives as well as negotiate and implement solutions.

Ability to independently direct, coordinate, manage and review the work of experienced professional staff as well as influence and inspire a variety of agency executives and leaders.

Ability to independently analyze and solve highly complex system level challenges; make independent decisions and recommendations to administrators and executives impacting the operations, administration and technical functions of community behavioral health programs and state hospital practices.

Ability to effectively manage and motivate staff located across the state, establish metrics for success and oversight, and build effective cross-functional work teams to address common goals.

Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff at all levels of organizations, agencies, and providers.

Ability to work independently, provide high level guidance/direction across the HHS system, with limited direction and to manage workload.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Three or more years of experience in facilitating access to programs, benefits and/or services.

Two years of experience leading, participating in, and supporting focused program activities.

One or more years of prior experience in developing presentations and complex reports.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in behavioral sciences, social sciences, humanities, or a related field is preferred

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC .

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.