Associate Director for Response and Recovery

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.

Under the direction of the Deputy Associate Commissioner (DAC) of the Disaster Behavioral Health Coordination Unit (DBHC), this position serves as Director of Response and Recovery (DRR) and supports disaster behavioral health (DBH) response and recovery operations.  The DRR works with the DAC and the Director of Planning and Preparedness (DPP) to establish, prioritize, and manage those activities associated with planning (preparedness, mitigation), response, and recovery program elements.  The DRR assists in the coordination of the Unit’s response to any all-hazards incident including natural disasters, public health emergencies, and incidents of mass violence.  This position will assist the DAC in the performance of highly responsible and complex duties to develop and coordinate a complete cross-functional program. In addition, collaborate with the DPP to transition stakeholders from planning and preparedness phases to the response and recovery phases of a disaster.  This position will act in an administrative capacity in the absence of the DAC.  Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  Have the ability to travel 30% with little to no notice for extended periods of time and work hours other than 8:00 – 5:00 including nights, weekends, and holidays to meet program and agency mission. 

Leadership and Strategic Planning:  Performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations for response and recovery efforts.  The DRR will lead strategic Unit-focused initiatives, including but not limited to, those related to performance management, workforce development, and ongoing DBH program evaluation.  In this capacity, the DRR reviews, analyzes, and advises the DAC on significant events and their impact on daily operations, while collaborating with the DPP on ongoing procedures.  Serves as a conduit between the management personnel and staff to ensure continuity of information, effort, and strategic alignment.  This position oversees staff and uses appropriate delegation of responsibilities and assignments.
 

Response Activities:

Performs (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance to identify, develop, coordinate, and deliver evidence-informed all-hazards DBH response and recovery activities and services.  This position oversees the coordination, identification, research, facilitation, tracking, writing, solicitation of feedback, updates, evaluations, and completion of DBH response and short-term recovery assignments related to federal, state, regional, and/or local emergencies, incidents, and disasters.

Grant Related Activities:
Directs the development of programs for grant applications.  Coordinates the preparation, collection, analysis, and distribution of DBH-related response activities and data for agency and external stakeholder incident situation reports and federal grant applications. 

Other duties include participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations during DBH preparedness, response, and recovery exercises and activities.  Duties may be performed outside individual’s assigned work area and outside of normal working hours, including weekends and holidays, under stressful conditions and adverse weather conditions to support disaster preparedness, response, and recovery activities.

This position may be required to deploy to communities impacted by disasters or mass violence incidents with little notice.

Operations:  The DRR provides leadership and assists in managing the daily operations and activities of the response and recovery unit under DBHC.  The DRR will assume additional administrative responsibilities in the absence of the DAC and provide supplementary services as assigned by the DAC.  In collaboration with the DAC plans, assigns, and supervises the response and recovery unit activities; establishes goals and objectives; develops and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and manages evaluation activities.  Provides guidance, mentoring, and other professional development activities for staff.  Assists DAC with various response and recovery unit level projects and will serve as a lead as appropriate.  This includes assisting the DAC with extensive strategic planning, management of assignments, and directing job performance activities as they relate to the accomplishment of the agency’s goals and objectives.

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Due to the nature of the job functions and responsibilities associated with this position, the person in this position may be required to report to work during an emergency, or during non-business hours including nights, weekends, and holidays to support agency operations, even if state offices are closed or other state workers are excused from work.
 

(40%) Assists in management of Response and Recovery Unit.  Manages day to day staffing schedules, assigns work; monitors and reviews staff work products.  Provides detailed input for annual staff work plans and evaluations.  Develops and approves schedules, priorities, and program performance standards.  Supervises program staff members and conducts performance evaluations.  Ensures that program planning, implementation, surveillance, and evaluation are coordinated as needed.  Provides information with the overall operations of the budgets for response and recovery, grant applications and contracts, grant reports, recovery program implementation, and reporting.  Provides technical assistance to response and recovery unit on evidenced based practices and promising practices as it relates to an all-hazards disaster behavioral health framework.

(20%) Assists with the development and implementation of performance management programs that impact employee performance, increase productivity, and assist supervisors and employees with managing conflict resolution.  Develops, implements, and evaluates the goals and objectives of the all-hazards focused on response and recovery unit (e.g., natural disaster, criminal incident, high consequence infectious disease) and coordinates with the other Units within Behavioral Health Services (BHS), HHSC at large to be consistent with the HHSC’s Business Plan and the BHS Strategic Plan.  Assists in the design, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of standards, policies, and procedures to support response and recovery operations and to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

(20%) Works collaboratively with state and federal partners to seek new opportunities to expand response and recovery program activities.  Develops and maintains statewide partnerships with external and internal stakeholders.  Serves as lead in support of the councils and advisory committees in the absence of the DAC.  Coordinates with staff in the development of grants and contracts for response and recovery. Provides guidance to staff and managers to ensure that staff follow agency procedure for submitting grant applications, interagency agreements, and requests for proposals.  Ensures progress through stages of approval for timely implementation.

(10%) In collaboration with the DAC, provides workforce development program – identifies training and development needs and priorities, measures and evaluates ongoing response and recovery programs, recommends and provides additional trainings.  Facilitates the creation and development of new programs and modifies obsolete programming.  Provides or acquires training and educational programming in order to develop programs in the areas of employee and supervisor development.

(10%) Assists DAC with various response and recovery unit level projects.  Cross-collaborates with other BHS units to coordinate and manage projects as assigned.  Participates in reviewing and analyzing legislation related to DBHC, tracking legislative bills, identifying and writing legislative initiatives for the Unit.  Routinely interacts with multidisciplinary, cross-discipline stakeholders to carry out job responsibilities.

Supports the overall success of the Disaster Behavioral Health Coordination Unit by performing all other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge in supervision of employees such as hiring, staff development and evaluation, and counseling of employees.

Knowledge of effective leadership and management principles.

Knowledge of grant funding processes and competitive awarding of funds.

Knowledge of evidence-based behavioral health practices for communities affected by natural disaster, criminal incidents, and high consequence infectious disease.

Knowledge of emergency management practices and principles.

Knowledge of the legislative process and state and federal laws pertaining to behavioral health.

Ability to analyze plans, policies, and programs related to DBH in order to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal statutes, standards, and rules.

Ability to provide effective presentations and training.

Ability to create and deliver training programs using evidenced based practices.

Ability to provide leadership during an emergency response.

Ability to effectively cultivate and maintain positive and effective working relationships with

HHSC staff, LMHA/LBHAs, other agencies, state and local governmental officials as well as the public.

Ability to synthesize policies, research, lessons learned, and related statutes to develop effective programs within the field of DBH.

Ability to organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing. 

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.

Ability to travel 30%.

Ability to work hours other than 8:00 – 5:00 including nights, weekends, and holidays to meet program and agency mission.

Skill in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.  Skill in communicating effectively and concisely in written, oral, and graphic forms to an array of stakeholders.

Skill in managing multiple competing priorities.

Skill in leading staff, managing functions, and providing direct oversight.

Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution personnel practices, problem solving, and dispute resolution through appropriate conflict management and mediation techniques.  Researches and identifies current and emerging employee relations issues, trends, and opportunities and develops responsive Unit programs.

Registrations, Licensures Requirements or Certifications

Active Driver's License

Completion of FEMA courses IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800. If not completed prior to onboarding, they should be completed within 30 days of hire.

Initial Selection Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a preferred major course work in business, public administration or human services field.  Additional related work experience in emergency management is preferred but not required.

One year (18 - 25 semester hours) of graduate level work from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for the required work experience on a year-for-year basis.

Three years of managerial and supervisory skills is required.  

Must have the ability to travel 30%

Required to work hours other than 8:00 – 5:00 including nights, weekends, and holidays to meet program and agency mission.

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 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.