Director of Support Services

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:

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 each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interest you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Director of Support Services (DSS) performs complex managerial work administering and overseeing the daily operations and activities of the Support Services Departments at the State Hospital (SH).  These departments typically consist of plant maintenance, grounds keeping, motor pool/fleet management, food services (food preparation and dietary services), housekeeping and laundry services. Other departments, such as training, switchboard operations, risk management, and barber/cosmetology, may be included in the DSS supervisory chain depending upon facility needs. The DSS hires, develops, manages, schedules, sets priorities for, and oversees the activity of staff the department. Ensures that the assigned departments have an adequate and well-trained work force.  Plans, organizes, implements and measures effectiveness of support services provided for the facility, in accordance with operational standards set by the Health and Human Services Commission, local facility policies and procedures, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) conditions of participation, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and the rules and regulations of the Agency and state hospital system,  and other relevant operational standards/practices. Oversees the physical plant, and all environmental issues within the facility perimeter.  Establishes goals and objectives which proactively address potential issues for the SH such as an aging physical plant and aging machinery such as HVAC systems or plumbing.  Serves as the liaison to state-office and other stakeholders for contracts and procurement, facilities services support, food services, environmental services, laundry services, and emergency management.  Serves as the primary point of contact for all infrastructure, capital construction and maintenance efforts and activity at the facility.  Actively participates in and/or facilitates meetings to represent the business functions of the department and performs other duties as assigned.  Completes or analyze budgets for projects as assigned.  Responsible for mitigating and controlling costs related to workers’ compensation exposure, and for emergency management/disaster preparedness.  Works under the general supervision of the Assistant Superintendent with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.   The DSS serves as acting/interim Assistant Superintendent as needed and serves in the on-call rotation.

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.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be requested 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 leadership and plans, assigns, and supervises the activities of support services departmental staff, including but not limited to, plant maintenance, grounds keeping, motor pool/fleet management, food services (food preparation and dietary services), housekeeping and laundry services.  Directly supervises the maintenance, food services and laundry services supervisors and other assigned staff based upon SH structure and needs.  Hires, trains, and promotes professional growth of the employees within the department so that a competent workforce is maintained. Ensures that all departmental staff are compliant in training per agency and facility standards. Conducts performance evaluations of assigned staff to give employees timely feedback on their performance and oversees staff development plans and activities.  Takes action to improve employee retention and reduce turnover.

Ensures organizational structure is set up for effective and efficient utilization of staff and available resources. Ensures facility's compliance with operational standards set by the Health and Human Services Commission, local facility policies and procedures, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) conditions of participation, State Office Risk Management (SORM), State Fire Marshall, American with Disabilities, Texas Administrative Code (T.A.C.), and Life Safety Code regulations. Ensures deficiencies are corrected within 45 days of report or as scheduled in the plan of correction. Participates in continuous process improvement and other activities to gain full compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Centers for Medicare, and Medicaid (CMS) conditions of participation. 

Implements and monitors a safety program with the maintenance department. Inspects workspace and equipment for hazardous conditions and takes necessary action to correct the unsafe conditions. Ensures safety training and equipment is available and maintains a log of safety meetings. Is a voting member on the SH Safety Committee.

Takes both proactive and corrective action as necessary to ensure optimal safe operations of the physical plant and infrastructure.  Establishes goals and objectives which proactively address potential issues for the SH such as an aging physical plant and aging machinery such as HVAC systems or plumbing.  Inspects building for various construction, environmental, utilization, safety, appearance, and health and sanitation standards on work performed by in-house personnel and contractors. Assists contractors and vendors with ensuring Information Technology/Telecommunications infrastructure is adequate. Identifies areas of needed change and makes recommendations for continuous quality improvement of operations to the supervisor.

Oversees and facilitates property management, capital construction and maintenance projects. Prioritizes and fully establishes capital construction projects in the automated system on time, approved in advance by the SH Superintendent. Once a capital construction project is funded, manages that project fully on-site, and represents the SH in terms of the project's impact on the facility including budget implications.  Attends stakeholder and facility support meetings to represent the SH. Serves as a liaison to state-office for contracts and procurement, facilities support services, food services, environmental services, and laundry services.

Ensures that adequate internal controls of all services and operations are in place for the environmental services, food service and maintenance departments. Develops and implements a plan to assure that all required audits are conducted as scheduled and corrective actions are identified and implemented. Serves as a management team professional to assist the Assistant Superintendent of the SH in the overall improvement of the facility.

If assigned, oversees the workers compensation program at the SH.  Reviews incidents and claims, ensures the database is maintained.  Pulls reports, identifies trends and takes action to mitigate workers compensation exposure by taking action such as repairing industrial hazards (areas where slips, trips and falls could occur, for example). Is a voting member of the Accident Review Board (ARB). Ensures employees have accurate information and resources related to workers’ compensation claims.  Oversees the emergency management/disaster preparedness plan, including conducting table-top exercises, as assigned. Serves as a liaison to state-office for emergency management.

Other duties as assigned including but 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 and alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Ability to make independent and sound technical judgments.

Ability to work in a team environment, and to train, schedule and/or prioritize the work of others.

Ability to organize workload and set priorities.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and devise solutions.

Ability to effectively communicate technical information in an understandable way, both orally and in writing, to small and large groups.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, conduct a root cause analysis, and draw valid conclusions.

Ability to evaluate policies and procedures.

Ability to maintain flexibility in work hours, which may require overtime or extended hours.

Skill in problem solving and solutions.

Skills in identifying measures or indicators of program performance.

Skill in Microsoft applications and knowledge of personal computers.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to Hospital Settings, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Electrical Code (NEC), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and Texas Administrative Code (TAC).

Knowledge of public administration and management techniques, statistical analysis, and program planning.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university (i.e., bachelor’s degree) with major coursework in business administration, architectural construction methods, public administration, or related field; and

Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the management of maintenance, housekeeping, food service, risk management, safety, security, or a related support-operation.

OR

Graduation from an accredited two-year college (i.e., associate degree) with major coursework in business administration, architectural construction methods, public administration, or related field; and

Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in the management of maintenance, housekeeping, food service, risk management, safety, security, or a related support-operation.

OR

Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in the management of maintenance, housekeeping, food service, risk management, safety, security, or a related support operation.

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 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 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. Vaccines may be provided. 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 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