Senior Program Advisor - Crisis Services

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Functional Title: Senior Program Advisor - Crisis Services
Job Title: Program Specialist VI
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: BH Crisis Services
Posting Number: 20005
Closing Date: 09/17/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Range: $5,098.66- $8,304.83
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 15%
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:

The Senior Program Advisor - Crisis Services performs highly advanced, senior-level project management, data governance, strategic coordination, and technical advisory work across multiple program areas within the Crisis Services Unit of Behavioral Health Services (BHS). This position works under minimal supervision of the Crisis Services Unit Director and Associate Director, exercising considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment within established agency priorities. Strong analytical, writing, and organizational skills are required.

Work involves leading and coordinating complex, cross-program initiatives that support Crisis Services system performance, accountability, and continuous quality improvement. Responsibilities include managing unit-level projects; coordinating work across Crisis Services Unit program areas, other BHS divisions, HHSC sections, and external partners; interpreting and synthesizing policy and data; and supporting leadership priorities aligned with the BHS strategic plan, HHSC strategic plan, and the Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan.

Work includes establishing and formalizing project management and data governance structures for Crisis Services initiatives, including development of standards, workflows, performance measures, and documentation to support consistent implementation and accountability across programs. The position emphasizes the use of formal project management and continuous improvement practices and data-informed decision-making to support operational oversight, performance monitoring, and executive reporting, including legislative and external requests.

This position focuses on system-level coordination rather than direct program operations, with emphasis on aligning program design, policy, data standards, and performance measurement across the Crisis Services continuum. The Senior Program Advisor supports identification of system gaps, operational risks, and improvement opportunities and develops actionable recommendations to strengthen access, utilization, quality, and continuity of crisis services.

The Senior Program Advisor supports Crisis Services leadership by ensuring accurate, timely, and actionable information is available for executive decision-making. The position leads or supports consultative services and technical assistance; performs and synthesizes complex qualitative and quantitative analyses; prepares executive-level briefings, reports, and research products; contributes to the development and revision of policies, procedures, and guidance; and represents HHSC in cross-functional workgroups, committees, and public forums related to Crisis Services initiatives.

Performs related work as assigned

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Leads senior level project management and cross program coordination for Crisis Services initiatives. Leads complex, high impact projects that span multiple Crisis Services Unit program areas and intersect with other BHS divisions, HHSC sections, and external partners. Serves as Project Manager for unit level initiatives, developing and maintaining project charters, scopes, timelines, work plans, risk mitigation strategies, and deliverables. Provides regular project status updates to unit leadership and proactively identifies issues requiring escalation or leadership decision making. Applies formal project management methodologies to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with agency priorities. (30%)

Establishes and leads data governance, analytics, and performance management activities. Establishes and formalizes data governance structures for Crisis Services initiatives, including development of data standards, documentation, workflows, performance measures, and quality controls. Coordinates with Decision Support Services (DSS), Quality, Compliance, and Performance (QCPI), HHSC IT and program staff to define data requirements and reporting expectations. Performs and synthesizes complex qualitative and quantitative analyses to support program oversight, system performance monitoring, policy development, and executive decision making. Supports development, review, and submission of administrative, operational, and legislative reports related to Crisis Services. (25%)

Supports policy alignment, program oversight, and system improvement across the Crisis Services continuum. Assists Crisis Services leadership in interpreting and analyzing state and federal statutes, regulations, and guidance affecting crisis services. Supports assessment of operational, fiscal, and system impacts of proposed policy or program changes. Identifies system gaps, operational risks, and improvement opportunities and develops data informed recommendations to strengthen access, utilization, service quality, and continuity of crisis services. Contributes to the development, revision, and quality assurance review of policies, procedures, contracts, guidance, and implementation materials. (20%)

Coordinates executive communications, briefings, and responses to internal and external requests. Leads or supports the development of high quality executive level briefings, correspondence, memoranda, analyses, reports, presentations, and talking points related to Crisis Services initiatives. Coordinates the collection, organization, analysis, and review of materials in response to external inquiries, including legislative requests. Ensures products are accurate, timely, consistent, and aligned with agency standards, leadership direction, and published guidance. (15%)

Represents the Crisis Services Unit in cross functional and external forums. Represents the Crisis Services Unit in internal BHS and HHSC workgroups, cross division initiatives, and external councils, committees, or stakeholder meetings as assigned. Serves as a liaison between Crisis Services and internal and external partners to facilitate coordination, information sharing, and alignment of initiatives. Provides oral presentations and written materials as appropriate and supports collaborative problem solving across diverse stakeholders. (10%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

Local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and guidance related to behavioral health and crisis services. Knowledge of the Texas public behavioral health system, including publicly funded crisis service delivery models. Knowledge of project management methodologies, change management principles, and continuous quality improvement frameworks. Knowledge of data governance, performance measurement, and program evaluation concepts, including appropriate use of administrative and operational data to support oversight, accountability, and leadership decision making. Knowledge of legislative processes, reporting requirements, and executive information needs related to behavioral health programs. Knowledge of public sector policy development, program administration, and system planning.

Skills In:

Advanced project management, including planning, coordinating, monitoring, and delivering complex, cross program initiatives. Skill in analyzing and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data and synthesizing information from multiple sources to inform leadership decisions. Skill in developing, writing, and editing executive level briefings, correspondence, reports, presentations, and other high visibility documents. Skill in facilitating collaboration among cross functional teams and stakeholders with diverse roles, priorities, and perspectives. Skill in managing multiple competing priorities and producing accurate, high quality work within accelerated timelines. Skill in communicating complex policy, operational, and data related issues clearly and effectively to both technical and non technical audiences.

Ability to:

Work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound judgment and discretion in complex, sensitive, or high visibility matters. Ability to lead and coordinate system level initiatives that span multiple program areas, organizational boundaries, and external partners. Ability to establish and formalize project management and data governance structures that support consistency, accountability, and sustainability across programs. Ability to interpret and apply statutes, regulations, policies, and guidance to program design and operational decision making. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze information to identify system gaps, operational risks, and improvement opportunities. Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal partners, external stakeholders, and leadership at all levels. Ability to take a solution focused, data informed approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Degree in public health, psychology/sociology, social work, public affairs, or a related field from an accredited college or university required. Experience in direct provision or management/administration of public mental health service required. Experience using complex data sets and experience managing large systems change initiatives preferred. Familiarity with Texas Administrative Code and Texas Health and Safety Code preferred.

Additional Information:

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.

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 need.

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.