Assistant Director, Competency, Training, & Development

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.

Brief Job Description:

The Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS) serves 23 facilities in Texas with over 18,000 employees who provide care to individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. HSCS Competency, Training, and Development (CTD) is part of the Staff Support Services (SSS) team in the Business Operations Unit.

The HSCS CTD team supports facility CTD Departments by providing in-person, virtual, and hybrid training content as requested; creating and maintaining instructor-led and computer-based training and curriculum; responding to inquiries; providing guidance based on state mandates and HHS/HSCS policies and procedures; keeping accurate and up-to-date materials and records; managing and reporting data; certifying facility instructors; and facilitating division-wide training programs.

The Assistant Director will work with the Director of CTD to ensure exceptional customer service is provided to all facilities. Key responsibilities include maintaining fidelity to course standards for all released trainings, supporting instructional designers, managing policy reviews and their required training updates, and overseeing and developing high-quality training content for the leadership development program for facilities. This role includes coordinating program rollout to HSCS facilities, conducting Train-the-Trainer sessions, maintaining accurate program records, and collaborating with internal team and external partners to enhance leadership capabilities and support organizational goals. Exceptional writing and communication skills are essential for developing high-quality instructional materials for the leadership program and additional courses as needed. This position does not involve direct supervision of employees, but it does require strong leadership, project management, and facilitation skills. The ideal candidate has the ability to leverage digital tools to deliver and monitor training programs, stays abreast of current evidence-informed training best practices, promotes continuous improvement, and thrives when working both independently and as part of a team.

An in-basket exercise will be part of the interview process. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Leadership Development Program for Facilities (30%)
Design, implement, and manage leadership development programs across multiple facilities, ensuring timely rollout, resource coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Develop and maintain a centralized repository of high-quality leadership training resources, including case studies, videos, and job aids. Facilitate Train-the-Trainer sessions to prepare facilitators for successful program delivery. Evaluate program effectiveness through collaboration, participant feedback, and organizational outcomes; use insights to refine training strategies. Maintain organized records of program materials, participant data, and evaluations in accordance with agency policy. Stay current with industry best practices and policy changes relevant to leadership development. Create and deliver data-informed presentations to stakeholders, highlighting outcomes, feedback trends, and performance metrics. Develop and disseminate program communications such as schedules, updates, and promotional content to drive awareness and participation.

Course Fidelity & Quality Assurance (25%)
Evaluate training courses for high standards of quality, consistency, and alignment with best practices. Collaborate with instructional designers to enhance clarity, engagement, and effectiveness of course materials. Ensure all content is grammatically accurate, well-structured, and appropriate for all audiences. Establish and maintain review cycles for curriculum updates and ensure courses adhere to policy and regulatory requirements.

Instructional Design for Individual Courses (25%)

Revise, plan, design, and develop engaging, interactive, and effective instructor-led and computer-based training content to meet identified objectives for individual courses. This includes writing content, scheduling and leading workgroup meetings, collaborating with subject matter experts and CTD team, incorporating adult learning principals and instructional design methodologies, and making revisions based on collaborative feedback.

Strategic Support (20%)
Support the Director in defining and executing department-wide initiatives to drive continuous improvement. Analyze department workflows while identifying opportunities for efficiency and effectiveness. Present findings and recommendations to Director of CTD, contributing to informed decision-making and opportunities for department growth. Monitor training courses for compliance with regulatory standards and ensure departmental processes align with organizational needs. Provide ongoing support and mentorship to CTD team members and various stakeholders by addressing questions, troubleshooting issues, and offering assistance. Track and monitor course development and revision progress, review updated policies to ensure course alignment, and complete other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge:

Strong understanding of adult learning principles, instructional design, and leadership development methodologies.

Knowledge of training evaluation strategies to assess program effectiveness.

Familiarity with project management principles and relevant tools.

Awareness of current trends in leadership training and professional development.

Understanding of communication frameworks and technical writing standards for developing high-quality instructional materials.

Basic knowledge of data analysis methods for interpreting and presenting training performance metrics.

Skills:

Skill in reviewing and maintaining training programs to align with evolving best practices.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for creating/reviewing courses and engaging with stakeholders.

Proficient creating professional training materials, including handouts and presentations.

Strong organizational and time management skills to oversee multiple projects and deadlines.

Skilled in identifying workflow efficiencies and adapting to policy or procedural changes.

Effective facilitator with experience leading Train-the-Trainer sessions and group workshops.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint).

Strong analytical skills to evaluate training outcomes and apply feedback for continuous improvement.

Abilities:

Ability to partner with the Director of CTD to foster a positive team culture that promotes collaboration, mutual respect, and shared accountability.

Ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve common goals through communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Ability to ensure course fidelity by maintaining consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness across all training materials.

Ability to design and deliver leadership development initiatives that promote professional growth across facilities.

Ability to assess training needs, revise curricula, and improve instructional approaches based on feedback.

Strong ability to support the Director in setting and achieving department-wide goals.

Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, ensuring stakeholders understand training objectives and strategies.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

Ability to lift and transport training materials (up to 25 pounds) for workshops or events.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Certification as an instructor in CPR, Forklift or Van Driver, and a Behavior Risk Management Program preferred, but not required.

Certification in project management (e.g., PMP, CAPM) or instructional design (e.g., ADDIE methodology) is also preferred. 

Initial Screening Criteria:

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Training, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of at least 3 years of experience in leadership development and instructional design.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Training, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, Business Administration, or a related field. 

Additional Information:

Travel up to 25% may be required to deliver train-the-trainer sessions, provide facility support and oversight for leadership program, and support or evaluate additional training initiatives.

This position is currently working a hybrid telework schedule that reports on-site in Austin. Telework schedules are subject to change based on agency policy or operational needs.

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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

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.