Technical Assistance Coordinator

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

1d•$5,798 - $9,508•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Forensic Services and Coordination (OFSC) is seeking a Technical Assistance Coordinator (Program Specialist VII) to lead and advance statewide forensic training, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Planning and Engagement, this position plays a key role in strengthening forensic services across Texas through strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, program development, and system improvement efforts. The OFSC works to improve the statewide coordination, oversight, and accountability of forensic services across the continuum of care. In partnership with state hospitals, courts, county jails, Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs), Local Behavioral Health Authorities (LBHAs), Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs), and other community stakeholders, OFSC develops solutions that improve access to care, enhance system coordination, and promote recovery in the least restrictive and most appropriate setting. The Technical Assistance Coordinator provides advanced consultation on forensic services and programs. Working with considerable independence and initiative, the Technical Assistance Coordinator leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation of complex technical assistance initiatives designed to improve stakeholder capacity and system performance. Key responsibilities include developing and managing statewide learning communities, strategic planning initiatives, trainings, webinars, presentations, policy briefs, toolkits, and other technical assistance resources that support evidence-based and promising practices. The position collaborates extensively with internal and external partners to identify system challenges, develop innovative solutions, and advance statewide forensic priorities. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of forensic programs and services, exceptional project management and stakeholder engagement skills, and a demonstrated ability to translate complex policy, clinical, operational, and system issues into practical strategies that improve outcomes for justice-involved individuals. The successful candidate is an outstanding writer and communicator who can synthesize complex information, manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously, and develop clear, compelling reports, policy briefs, presentations, training curricula, toolkits, and other technical assistance resources. They excel at leading complex projects from concept through implementation, building consensus among diverse stakeholders, facilitating collaborative problem-solving, and communicating recommendations in a manner that is clear, actionable, and tailored to audiences ranging from executive leadership to frontline practitioners. Through thoughtful analysis, strategic communication, and strong project management, the candidate advances statewide forensic priorities and drives meaningful system improvement.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree with 5+ years’ experience or a master’s degree or advanced terminal degree from an accredited university in one of the following disciplines: public policy, public administration, public health, psychology, social work, anthropology, sociology, or law. Other disciplines will be considered based on relevant coursework and experience.
Demonstrated expertise and experience in the intersection of behavioral health, criminal justice and juvenile justice systems.
Demonstrated experience in providing training and technical assistance at the Federal, state, or local level.
Knowledge of and experience in policy, programs, and/or services at the intersection between behavioral health, criminal justice, juvenile justice and forensic systems;
Knowledge of and experience in providing training and technical assistance;
Knowledge and/or experience in community mental health and IDD services as provided by local mental health authorities, local behavioral health authorities, and local intellectual and developmental disability authorities;
Knowledge and/or experience in inpatient mental health and IDD services as provided in contracted private psychiatric beds, contracted competency restoration beds, state hospitals, and state supported living centers;
Knowledge and/or experience in forensic populations and forensic services;
Knowledge and/or experience in agencies or organizations with a vested interest in the coordination of care for youth with co-occurring mental health, IDD, and substance use issues who are justice involved or at risk of juvenile justice involvement;
Strong oral and written communication skills, evidenced by presentations, written reports, and other graduate or professional projects;
Strong project management skills, evidenced by the ability to independently manage multiple complex projects from start to completion.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data to inform planning, research, and policy implementation;
Creative and innovative mindset to strategically partner and collaborate with team members and other key stakeholders;
Action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills and the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects in a fast-paced, high-performance environment;
High degree of integrity, ability to build trust and communicate effectively;
Ability to work in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions to complex issues;
Ability to work the hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday with flexibility to be available after hours as needed such as during Legislative Sessions.

Responsibilities

Independently plan and implement high-profile, public-facing technical assistance initiatives.
Through quantitative and qualitative information gathering, identify gaps in training, resources, research and information related to the forensic continuum of care.
Plan and implement statewide technical assistance initiatives targeted to diverse stakeholder groups.
Plan and manage large multi-faceted projects and ensure coordination with other divisions of HHSC, state agencies, and stakeholders.
Develop and prepare policies, procedures, and performance metrics for technical assistance initiatives to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services.
Oversee the collection, organization, and analysis of performance data to monitor the effectiveness of technical assistance initiatives.
Prepare administrative reports and other reporting materials to communicate effectiveness of technical assistance initiatives.
Serve as a subject matter expert, facilitating and leading internal and external stakeholder meetings and workgroups on behalf of the OFSC.
Provide independent consultative technical assistance to internal and external requests.
Speak to external stakeholder groups and professional associations to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in office and technical assistance initiatives.
Serve on intra- and interagency workgroups, committees, and projects.
Develop professional, public-facing, technical assistance products, including but not limited to webinars, toolkits, briefs, web content, learning collaboratives and other publications.
Provide oversight of contracts and forensic initiatives by supporting contract development, review, monitoring, and compliance activities.
Ensure contractual requirements, funding obligations, budgets, deliverables, and performance expectations are met in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, agency policies, and program objectives.
Collaborate with contractors and stakeholders to monitor progress, address issues, and support successful implementation of contracted services and technical assistance initiatives.