Program Specialist V

FALL CREEK FARM & NURSERY; Austin (TX); Remote; USD 50,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks a Program Specialist V to expand statewide technical assistance for forensic and jail diversion services. The role reports to an Associate Director within the Forensic and Jail Diversion Services unit and is based in Austin, TX, with telework eligibility.

The position requires strong analytical and writing skills, collaboration with local authorities and state hospitals, and leadership in implementing evidence-based practices and policy

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and writing skills required.
• Experience with policy interpretation and program development.
• Ability to coordinate with internal/external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with crisis, forensic, and jail diversion services.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize and perform technical, training, research, policy, and administrative tasks to enhance access to care.
• Implement evidence-based practices, revise guidelines, and develop contract language.
• Oversee diverse programs, manage external contracts, and support data analysis and reporting.

Skills

Technical writing

Policy analysis

Training

Research

Program assessment

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Posting ID21116-Posted09/08/2026-Health & Human Services Comm-Crisis JAIL DIV & FORENSIC-Community and Social Services-Eligible for Telework-b. $3000 - $4999 per month

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 .

Functional Title:Program Specialist V
Job Title:Program Specialist V
Agency:Health & Human Services Comm
Department:Crisis JAIL DIV & FORENSIC
Posting Number:21116
Closing Date:09/22/2026
Posting Audience:Internal and External
Occupational Category:Community and Social Services
Salary Range:$4,523.16-$7,253.83
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group:TEXAS-B-21
Shift:Day
Additional Shift:None
Telework:Eligible for Telework
Travel:Up to 15%
Regular/Temporary:Regular
Full Time/Part Time:Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City:AUSTIN
Job Location Address:4601 W GUADALUPE ST
Other Locations:None
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description:

Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Forensic and Jail Diversion Services (FJDS) Unit, seeks a Program Specialist V to expand and enhance statewide technical assistance initiatives. The Program Specialist V reports to an Associate Director under the FJDS unit. This position is located in the Adult, Crisis, and Forensic Mental Health Services Division, Behavioral Health Services Department.

This position performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work related to the provision of statewide forensic and diversion activities and programs for individuals with serious mental illness, including the provision of mental health services that involve outpatient and residential crisis services for justice-involved individuals. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing major agency programs in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders such as county jails and state hospitals. This position works to address access to care and continuity of care issues through collaboration with Local Mental Health Authorities, Local Behavioral Health Authorities, the criminal justice system, and other local entities to ensure people’s needs are addressed in the least restrictive environment.

This position oversees diversion and in-reach services programs. This position will have responsibilities related to the design and implementation of evidence-based practices; research and development of statewide or pilot programming in conjunction with evidence-based best practices; revision of statewide guidelines and performance contract language; creating policy interpretation documents; development of legislative appropriations requests; drafting prompt responses to requests for information, and serving as a public speaker or division representative with stakeholder organizations, inter or intra agency task groups, and other organizations or agencies as requested.

This position requires strong analytical and writing skills and must maintain state-of-the-art knowledge regarding recovery-oriented services and engagement, in addition to service delivery systems that support people found incompetent to stand trial. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs related work as assigned.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Plan, prioritize, and perform a variety of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative assistance and activities related to access to care for people who are involved, or are at risk of involvement with the justice system, that enhance the continuum of diversion programs. This team member will serve as a subject matter expert on jail diversion services. (30%)

Implement evidence-based practices, revise statewide guidelines and performance contract language, create policy interpretation briefing documents, and analyze program-specific legislation. Participate in the development of rules, policies, and regulations and contracts related to crisis, forensic and jail diversions services. This position will analyze complex policy implementation issues and create various documents and spreadsheets to provide education to internal staff and external stakeholders. (25%)

Oversee a variety of programs and provide input on policy issues arising from quality management activities. Assist with the procurement, development, oversight and coordination of specific external contracts (including federal grants). Provide training and technical assistance to internal staff and external stakeholders, facilitate statewide conference calls, assist with quantitative and qualitative analysis that includes identifying trends related to program services and expenditures, support ongoing research and analysis activities related to jail diversion services and programs and enhanced behavioral health services, and provide detailed input regarding information systems and reporting guidelines. Ensure programs adhere to applicable state and federal grant and contracting requirements, including expenditures, and agency policy and procedures. (20%)

Develop and oversee complex, detailed implementation plans, facilitation of cross-functional meetings and workgroups, representation of Behavioral Health Services or HHSC at public meetings, development of financial spreadsheets, taking a leadership role in internal and external workgroups and conferences and briefs leadership, and preparation of briefing documents, tables, meeting agendas, slide presentations or talking points for leadership presentations or public testimony. Documents and escalates issues in a timely manner to a Unit Supervisor. (15%)

Perform other duties as assigned