Program Specialist VI

Texas Health and Human Services; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Career advancement

Job summary

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Forensic and Jail Diversion Services unit seeks a Program Specialist VI to support statewide technical assistance initiatives and enhance access to care for justice-involved individuals.

Located in the Behavioral Health Services Division, this role reports to an Associate Director and collaborates with county jails, LMHAs/LBHAs, and criminal justice stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, psychology/sociology, social work, public affairs, or related field. Master’s preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, and perform technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment activities to enhance jail diversion programs.
• Implement evidence-based practices, update guidelines, and develop policy briefs for internal staff and external stakeholders.
• Oversee programs/pilots, assist with external contracts, provide training, and analyze trends in services and expenditures.
• Develop and oversee implementation plans, lead cross-functional workgroups, prepare briefing documents for leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal communication/public speaking

Writing skills

Data analysis/reporting

Facilitation of contractors

Policy interpretation/solutions

Education

Bachelor's in public health/psychology/sociology/social work/public affairs

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Date: Sep 11, 2026 — Location: AUSTIN, TX

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.

Job Details

• Functional Title: Program Specialist VI
• Job Title: Program Specialist VI
• Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
• Department: Crisis JAIL DIV & FORENSIC
• Posting Number: 21371
• Closing Date: 11/10/2026
• Posting Audience: Internal and External
• Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
• Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83
• Pay Frequency: Monthly
• Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23
• Shift: Day
• Telework: Eligible for Telework
• Travel: Up to 15%
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Full Time/Part Time: Full time
• FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
• Job Location City: AUSTIN
• Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST
• MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Forensic and Jail Diversion Services (FJDS) Unit is seeking a Program Specialist VI to support and enhance statewide technical assistance initiatives. This position reports to an Associate Director within FJDS and is located within the Adult, Crisis, and Forensic Mental Health Services Division of the Behavioral Health Services Department.

The Program Specialist VI performs advanced consultative, planning, and technical assistance work related to statewide forensic and jail diversion programs serving individuals with serious mental illness, including justice-involved individuals receiving outpatient and residential crisis services. Responsibilities include planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating major agency initiatives in collaboration with internal and external partners, including county jails, state hospitals, Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs), Local Behavioral Health Authorities (LBHAs), and criminal justice stakeholders. The position works to improve access to care and continuity of services while promoting treatment in the least restrictive setting possible.

This position may provide guidance to staff responsible for forensic and jail diversion programs. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing evidence-based practices; researching and designing statewide and pilot programs; revising policy, contract, and program guidance; preparing legislative and policy-related materials; responding to requests for information; and representing the division in meetings, task forces, stakeholder groups, and public forums.

The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical, communication, and writing skills, along with expertise in recovery-oriented behavioral health services and systems that support individuals at the intersections of the behavioral health and justice systems. This position operates with considerable independence, initiative, and sound judgment under minimal supervision and performs other related duties 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 justice-involved individuals that enhance the continuum of jail diversion programs. 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, regulations, and contracts related to forensic and jail diversion services. Analyze complex policy implementation issues and create various documents and spreadsheets to provide education to internal staff and external stakeholders. (30%)
• Oversee specific programs/pilots, providing 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, including financial analysis; support ongoing research and analysis activities related to jail diversion and enhanced behavioral health services; and providing detailed input regarding information systems and reporting guidelines. This position ensures 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; facilitate cross-functional meetings and workgroups; represent Behavioral Health Services or HHSC at public meetings; develop financial spreadsheets; take a leadership role in internal and external workgroups and conferences as directed; prepare briefing documents, tables, meeting agendas, slide presentations or talking points for leadership presentations or public testimony. This position documents and escalates issues in a timely manner to the Unit Supervisor. (15%)
• Performs other duties as assigned. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Forensic services
• Jail diversion services
• Behavioral health crisis services, adult mental health programs, and substance use issues and services
• Recovery, resiliency, engagement and service delivery, including Texas Resilience and Recovery as it has rolled out in Texas.
• Basic knowledge of the criminal justice system, substance use treatment, prevention, and Medicaid programs/services in Texas.

Skill In

• Effective verbal communication and public speaking
• Exceptional writing skills
• Data analysis and reporting, and qualitative interpretation of complex policy issues.
• Effective facilitation of contractors struggling with implementation of behavioral health services
• Identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions to complex policy and implementation.

Ability To

• Quickly comprehend complex issues and prioritize activities to meet strict deadlines
• Develop complex, detailed implementation plans
• Collaborate on team projects to accomplish team objectives
• Develop products to support the implementation of evidence-based practices
• Develop materials for training and technical assistance events
• Lead cross-functional work groups
• Support contracts related to behavioral health services, crisis, forensic, and jail diversion programs
• Develop statewide rules for program policy
• Guide and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

No licensure requirements. Mental health professional licensure is preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria

• Degree Required- Bachelor's degree in public health, psychology/sociology, social work, public affairs, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Master's degree is preferred.
• Experience within the forensic and jail diversion system is preferred.
• Experience using complex data sets and experience managing large systems change initiatives is preferred.
• Experience in direct provision or management/administration of public mental health services is preferred.
• Experience with behavioral health rules and the development of contract language and experience managing large systems change initiatives is preferred.

Additional Information

This position may be telework eligible. Please note that all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business need.

The candidate must reside in Texas or be willing to relocate to Texas before the hire date.

The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum allowable by state law. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual Chapter 7.

Disclaimer: Salary typically falls in the medium range of posting.

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.

Nearest Major Market

Austin