Opioid Prevention Services Lead

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

8d•$5,798 - $9,508•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. Under the supervision of the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) Associate Director, the TTOR Opioid Prevention Lead performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work related to the development and implementation of HHSC agency opioid misuse prevention and opioid overdose prevention services. The Prevention Specialist VII plans, develops coordinates, and implements prevention initiatives under the Texas Targeted Opioid Response including but not limited to opioid misuse awareness, safe drug disposal, utilization of the Prescription Monitoring Program and other safe prescribing practices, and opioid overdose prevention. The Opioid Prevention Lead provides consultative services and technical assistance to programs and systems in order to reduce risk-taking behaviors, promote resilience, and prevent problem behaviors in individuals and families across the lifespan. The Opioid Prevention Lead interfaces with internal and external partners including program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public to coordinate policy development and analysis that involves state health and human services issues, specifically services that reduce the impact of opioid misuse on communities. The Opioid Prevention Lead works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative, creative/innovative problem solving, and independent judgment. The Opioid Prevention Lead trains, leads, assigns, and/or prioritizes the work of others. This position is telework eligible. 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

A four-year degree from an accredited college or university in prevention science, social work, public health, sociology, psychology, health education, or a related field
At least three years of experience in substance use prevention or in public/behavioral health prevention
Knowledge of primary prevention approaches and public health promotion methods.
Knowledge of application of evidenced-based practices for opioid and stimulant misuse prevention programs
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws/rules related to the provision of opioid and stimulant misuse prevention services
Knowledge of prevention, intervention, and treatment concepts and program components as they relate to the provision of opioid and stimulant services statewide
Knowledge of the six CSAP strategies and the Strategic Prevention Framework
Skills in effective verbal and written communication with both internal staff and external stakeholders
Skills in public speaking
Skills in facilitation of large workgroups
Skills in exceptional written skills
Skills in Microsoft Office, especially Teams and Excel
Skills in data analysis and reporting, as well as qualitative interpretation of complex policy issues
Skills in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions to complex policy and implementation issues
Skills in prioritizing complex and competing priorities to meet strict deadlines
Skills in quick comprehension of complex issues
Skills in managing complex issues and communicating effectively during challenging situations related to individuals at risk of overdose and/or suicide or other complex stressful issues or disasters
Ability to build and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with diverse professionals and stakeholders
Ability to conduct statistical analysis of prevention programs
Ability to analyze the applications and variations of prevention programs, identify problems and propose implementation solutions
Ability to support the development and oversight of the prevention program contracts, rules and regulations
Ability to provide technical assistance to providers
Ability to lead cross functional work groups
Ability to coordinate the procurement and development of contracts related to opioid and stimulant misuse prevention services and support activities, including the development of request for proposals, scopes of work, task orders and any related templates or tools
Ability to assist in the revision and development of statewide rules, regulations and procedures for behavioral health prevention
Ability to prepare grant proposals, project reports, white-papers, budgets and written documentation
Ability to provide presentations and prepare public health prevention materials for diverse audiences including executive leadership, stakeholders, conferences and persons with lived experiences

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in prevention science, social work, public health, sociology, psychology, health education, or a related field
Prevention Specialist Certification

Responsibilities

Acts as senior level subject matter expert on issues pertaining to opioid misuse and overdose prevention. Is attuned to developments within the field of prevention in behavioral health. Provides subject matter expertise to both internal partners and external stakeholder groups on the integration of new programs, policies, and procedures.
Through ongoing program assessment and population needs assessment, identifies gaps and the need for new prevention programs. Uses creative problem solving to design innovative and integrated prevention programs statewide. Initiates procurement processes, develops scopes of work, reviews budgets, develops funding methodologies, and collaborates with contract development, contract management staff, and potential contractors to fully develop contracts and manage within federal and state timelines.
Oversees the development and implementation of TTOR Prevention services. Ensures quality service delivery through the provision of technical assistance. Organizes and provides regularly scheduled, ongoing technical assistance calls with TTOR Prevention funded service providers as well as interdepartmental project team meetings. Consults public and private providers of TTOR prevention services and stakeholder groups to resolve problems and identify training needs. Ensure services are delivered within scope, with fidelity, and within budget. Uses project management tools to organize program oversight.
Assesses program performance, productivity, and effectiveness through interdepartmental and system agency collaboration and data gathering. Develops program evaluation tools in collaboration with interdepartmental partners. Tracks program outputs and outcomes.
Responds to state, federal, legislative, grant, and media requests/inquiries through the development of reports and communication plans ensuring coordination with appropriate staff. Escalates issues to management as appropriate for decision making and/or resolution. Initiates, develops and ensures the coordination of briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, bill analyses and memorandums for executive management review and decision-making. Represents HHSC as requested at meetings and hearings.
Cross train with team members and serve as back-up subject matter expert.