Associate Director, Suicide Prevention Programs and Services

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. Director I, functionally known as the Associate Director of Suicide Prevention Programs and Services (SPPS), will report directly to the Deputy Associate Commissioner (Director III) of the Prevention and Behavioral Health Promotion Team (PBHP DAC) in the Substance Use Programs (SUP) Unit of Behavioral Health Services (BHS). Performs advanced (senior level) managerial work, providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and program planning with a focus on suicide prevention. This position establishes goals and objectives for the suicide prevention team that align with PBHP, SUP, and BHS goals and strategies, in alignment with enhancing the Texas Behavioral Health Prevention System and the continuum of care. This position will serve on the PBHP leadership team in an Associate Director capacity, assisting in the strategic development and growth of PBHP, and represent PBHP in internal and external meetings, work groups, trainings, and/or events. Work involves establishing the strategic plan, goals, and objectives specific to suicide prevention; providing leadership to the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council’s (SBHCC) Suicide Prevention Subcommittee; developing policies, procedures, and guidelines; establishing priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting suicide prevention goals; expanding programs and services in alignment with leadership direction and BHS strategic vision; coordinating and evaluating program activities or business functions; and reviewing and approving budgets within departments or divisions to ensure effective resource allocation. This position will be key in driving transformational change by aligning vision, engaging stakeholders, leading a team of skilled subject matter experts and will serve as the State Suicide Prevention Coordinator and serve as the agency’s statutorily designated Youth Suicide Prevention Officer. Additional responsibilities include supervising staff who design, implement, and oversee suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention programs, training, and technical assistance. Using data to make data-informed decisions about the need for new suicide prevention initiatives targeting specific communities in Texas, or populations at greatest risk of suicide. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy. 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.

Requirements

Knowledge of best practices for suicide prevention in behavioral health services, including evidence based programs, interventions and treatments.
Knowledge of developing large, complex integrated behavorial health systems and programs using public health models.
Knowledge of guiding large-scale change initatives that integate prevention strategies, policy, evidence based practices, organizational and community needs.
Knowledge of public administration and management techniques.
Knowledge of principles of health and human services policy and planning.
Knowledge of principles of leadership and interaction with various leadership styles.
Knowledge of state and federal rules, statute, and governing best practices in grant management.
Knowledge of the behavioral health, substance use, and the prevention continuum of care.
Skills in problem solving and conflict resolution.
Skills in navigating complex change with a steady, strategic approach that builds trust and drives innovation, adoption and integration.
Skills in developing and implementing communications strategies.
Skills in managing multiple and competing priorities.
Skills in leadership, effective communication public speaking and impactful writing.
Skills in the use of computer software, specifically Windows, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point.
Skills in developing, writing and editing executive documents, briefings, reports, slide decks, impact statements, grant applications and reports.
Skills in identifying problems such as performance improvement issues with implementing best practices for prevention and implementing solutions to organizational and service delivery problems.
Skills in strategic planning and thinking big picture to establish a clear vision and direction for suicide prevention within the larger context of PBHP.
Ability to think systematically to address gaps and develop programs and services in alignment with organizational and community needs.
Ability to champion change initiatives that strengthen systems, improve performance, develop an integrated prevention model, and support long-term impact.
Ability to lead a team of subject matter experts.
Ability to understand and effectively interpret and adhere to agency and program rules, policies, and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze facts.
Ability to demonstrate strong organizational skills and prioritize workload.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and make sound decisions.
Ability to demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills, and works well with all levels of staff to maintain effective, collaborative working relationships.
Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with external partners, as well as individuals and groups with diverse needs and priorities.
A bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, psychology, counseling, or other related field from an accredited college or university is required.
A minimum of five years in direct provision, project management, or grants managements of prevention, behavioral health, or public health programs/services required.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in prevention science, public health, social work, health education, business administration, health services, counseling, or other related field from an accredited college or university, is preferred.
Previous work experience in suicide prevention, intervention, postvention or substance use prevention, intervention program(s), highly preferred.
At least two years of prior government (local, state, federal, university, etc.) experience is highly preferred.
Supervisory, managerial, or team lead experience in a public health or behavioral health setting is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide assistance, consultation, and direction to the PBHP DAC to ensure policies, procedures, and processes related to suicide prevention are compliant with HHSC guidance and legal mandates as they occur.
Provide leadership, supports, develops, and guides the SPPS team, in accordance with the policies and practices of the department and agency.
Provide consultation, direction, and coaching on staff development matters, develop performance measures, review and complete performance evaluations, and manages the oversight of SPSS projects, programs, and initiatives.
Responsible for hiring and selection, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel disciplinary actions, scheduling and approving leave, and facilitating team meetings.
Responsible for ensuring staff training is adequate and timely.
Responsible for approving the development and oversight of contracts, tracking grant expenditures, approving reports submitted to federal organizations about the progress of the grants, and guiding staff in developing program metrics, data collection and reporting, and program evaluation.
Coordinate the development and implementation of HHSC activities and functions that improve and enhance collaboration and partnerships between HHSC and external partners, including other state agencies, Texas academic institutions, medical institutions, professional licensing boards, and local government agencies.
Interface with partners to coordinate policy development and analysis that involves State HHS issues pertaining to suicide prevention.
Escalate issues to executive management as appropriate for decision-making or resolution.
Work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders to establish the vision for SPSS in Texas and ensure it is in alignment with PBHP and BHS goals.
Identify programs and practices to recommend for funding as well as providing assistance, consultation and direction to PBHP DAC to ensure programs and services funded, policies, procedures and processes comply with HHSC guidance and legal mandates as they occur.
Identify opportunities to increase reach of the program including identifying and applying for grant funds and partnering with potential funders and expands programs and services in alignment with leadership direction and BHS strategic vision.
Review changes in federal and state legislation affecting suicide prevention and care and mental health prevention and coordinates with budget and fiscal departments to determine the impact to BHS.
Stay current on suicide prevention and mental health best, promising, and evidenced-based practices and analyzes data to forecast areas of the state that require targeted or enhanced suicide prevention and behavioral health prevention programs or initiatives.
Coordinate and execute the promotion of SPPS initiatives at the national, state, and local levels.
Support and ensure the delivery of prevention programs and services throughout Texas.
Implement initiatives and projects with external partners that support suicide prevention and PBHP in achieving their HHSC goals and objectives.
Work on cross-agency and HHS projects as assigned by the PBHP DAC related to suicide prevention, mental health, substance use prevention, behavioral health promotion and corresponding workforce.
Review proposed federal and state statutes and regulations impacting HHS agencies and provides consultation and guidance to ensure compliance.
Initiate, develop and ensure the coordination of briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, bill analyses, and memorandums for executive management review and decision-making.
Responsible for the development and update of the state plans and any toolkits, guides, or published resources.
Partner with state agencies, HHSC contractors, the Texas Suicide Prevention Council, non-profit organizations, and others with a vested interest in suicide to adopt these documents and use the content to inform the development and implementation of their own suicide prevention policy, services, trainings, and technical assistance.
Work collaborately across PBHP, BHS, and other HHSC departments to develop an integrated prevention system and enahnces programs and services.
Serve on advisory boards as requested.
Guide the operation of and provide subject matter expertise to the SBHCC’s suicide prevention subcommittee to fulfill it’s mission to focus on statewide suicide prevention efforts using information collected by the SBHCC from available sources of suicide data reports.
Inform the subcommittee’s development of guidelines for the use of data to inform SBHCC suicide prevention policy, services, training, and technical assistance.
Attend council or committee meetings as needed.
Respond to legislative correspondence and requests, ensuring coordination with appropriate staff.
Represent SPPS and PBHP on external councils, committees, or workgroups.
Provide updates to legislative leadership and executive management.
Support the advancement of the behavioral health services system with a specific focus on public health, prevention, and the suicide prevention continuum, through participating in the exceptional item process, formulating statutory initiatives, meeting with legislative offices to provide information that may inform bill making, and responding to legislative inquiries.
Represent Behavioral Health Services and HHSC at legislative hearings, meetings, and conferences.
May testify and serve as a resource witness.
Complete other duties as assigned in accordance with the direction of the PBHP DAC.