Transition Specialist

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:

Performs routine consultative services and provides technical assistance to interdisciplinary team (IDT) members including individuals served at a State Supported Living Center (SSLC) regarding community services.  Assists in planning, developing and implementing educational opportunities for individuals, legally authorized representatives (LARs), families, SSLC staff, community providers and Local Authorities.  Assists the IDT in the identification of obstacles to community transition, development of action plans to address the obstacles and initialization of programming to overcome identified obstacles.  Serves as liaison to community providers and Local Authorities to ensure current information regarding community resources is available to IDT members.   Works under moderate supervision of the Transition Specialist Coordinator and with guidance from the Admission/Placement Coordinator at each SSLC with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Travel (up to 80%) is a requirement of this position.  

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required 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 consultative services and technical assistance to the SSLC interdisciplinary team regarding identification of needed supports and services for individuals referred for alternate placement, identification of barriers to alternate placement and initialization of programming to overcome the barrier.  

Assists in the development of tools to educate individuals LARs/families and interdisciplinary team members regarding living options and the transition process. Schedules and conducts training regarding community living options, the transition process and planning for transition.

Assists Admission/Placement staff in the development of the annual obstacle report and other reports that are prepared for the SSLC administrative/management team.

Provides support, collaboration and assistance in the planning and coordination of at least annual Community Provider Fairs. 

Coordinates and schedules tours of community provider group homes, day habilitation programs and vocational programs for individuals and other interdisciplinary team members to facilitate community provider selection. 

Serves as a liaison to individuals, LARS/families, interdisciplinary team members, staff, community providers and local authorities to provide information regarding the community referral and transition process.

Consults with the local authority and community providers for resource identification and maintains a Resource Guide detailing community support/services currently available in the geographic area of the SSLC.

Maintains reports and logs of transition activities, educational opportunities, tours, in-services, etc.

Performs related work 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.

Knowledge, Skills and abilities (KSAs):

Ability to prepare reports and communicate effectively orally and in writing. 

Ability to work professionally with individuals with intellectual disabilities, family members, staff, community providers and others.

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

Computer skills in WORD, EXCEL, and other Microsoft Office products

Knowledge of: Knowledge of DADS community programs including ICF/ID and waiver programs.

Skill in: Computer skills in WORD, EXCEL, and other Microsoft Office products.

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

Ability to prepare reports and communicate effectively orally and in writing. 

Ability to work professionally with individuals with intellectual disabilities, family members, staff, community providers and others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: 

Must possess valid Texas driver’s license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date. Applicants with an out-of-state driver’s 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:

A Bachelor’s degree with a major in a human services field and one year of experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or other disabilities.  Education substitution:  Four (4) years of work experience in a community serving individuals with disabilities, assists in the identification of obstacles, the development of action plans to address the obstacles, initialization of programming to overcome identified obstacles and identification of resources/programs in the community to address their needs.  Preferred knowledge of community ICF/IID and HCS waiver programs.  

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 Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities.

Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

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

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Position will assist in providing support and training to the Admission/Placement staff at all the SSLCs across the state on conducting/monitoring of transitions back to the community.

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 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 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.