Director IV

Job Description :

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the Family and Youth Services and Supports Associate Commissioner position in the Family Health Services department.

• The Associate Commissioner, reports to the Deputy Executive Commissioner, Family Health Services. The Associate Commissioner performs advanced, senior-level management providing direction and guidance in the strategic planning and operations of the Family and Youth Services and Supports (FYSS) section within the current Family Health Services (FHS) department , which includes the following programs : Abstinence Education;
• Thriving Texas Families Program; Child Advocacy programs; Family Violence Program; Fetal Remains Grant Program; Healthy Marriage program;

Human Trafficking Resource Center; and Umbilical Cord Blood Bank.

Job responsibilities include directing the daily operations and activities, providing strategic planning, setting and implementing priorities and consistent with HHSC and CPSO mission, vision, strategic goals, and operational priorities.

The Associate Commissioner develops the section goals, performance measures and strategies for achieving metrics for the oversight and management of the programs, contracts, and services under the authority of the section.

Works under minimal supervision, with broad latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Essential Job Functions :

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

25%) Provides effective direction, guidance and vision for successful oversight, administration and management of the programs and services under the authority of the section.

Provides overall vision, leadership and strategic direction in accordance with the mission and the goals of HHSC, CPSO and Family Health Services.

Establishes section goals and objectives. Develops and approves priorities and standards for achieving goals.

20%) Ensures adequate oversight, management and monitoring of contracts and procurement procedures and process across Section that appropriately aligns with federal, state and agency requirements.

Stays current with agency and department policies, procedures and applicable laws and monitors section performance and compliance with procurement and contracting procedures for compliance.

15%) Manages the day-to-day operations of the section. Develops, reviews and approves Section operating and programmatic budget and provides final approval.

Manages budget in accordance with funding levels. Leads the mid-year budget reviews for section programs / services. Develops HHSC legislative appropriations requests to ensure adequate and appropriate support and funding for the section.

Develops high-quality presentations, reports, executive memorandums and documents for executive leadership, legislators and external parties.

Establishes an efficient organizational structure and operations with systems and processes that ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, guidelines and established HHS policies and procedures.

Plans, develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates the section’s operational policies, standard operating procedures and guidelines to ensure consistency, accuracy and efficiency.

Implements a quality assurance system in the Section to ensure quality and timeliness of work.

10%) Directs, plans, and assigns work and supervises section staff and operations. Provides direct reports with clear direction and information on responsibilities and work performance expectations.

Hires, manages, and develops staff. Performs timely performance evaluations. Recommends appropriate personnel actions in compliance with HHS HR policies.

Ensures section management conduct performance evaluations annually, at minimum. Ensures staff development and training.

Routinely communicates management decisions to staff regarding relevant departmental activities. Ensures staff have adequate resources and training to carry out their responsibilities.

Removes barriers and escalates issues as appropriate.

10%) Serves as a member of the Family Health Services senior leadership team and advises the deputy executive commissioner and the CPSO on matters related to programs under the Associate Commissioner’s purview.

Effectively communicates program issues to executive leadership and works collaboratively with leadership to identify solutions.

10%) Develops and implements techniques for evaluating program activities and ensuring that activities align with HHS and CPSO priorities, goals and mission.

Evaluates best practices and identifies emerging trends to determine and implement appropriate process and policy improvement strategies in section.

Develops and tracks performance measures to gauge section performance. Reviews results of investigations, audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises and provides direction to section staff on compliance / remediation activities.

Ensures performance measures are current and measure the effectiveness of operations and outcomes for clients.

10%) Develops and maintains working relationships with agency staff, HHS executive team, program partners, advocates, other state agencies, federal agencies, legislative staff and the public.

Represents the Section at business meetings, seminars, conferences, panels, workgroups, legislative meetings and committees as required.

Leads or serves on workgroups as requested. Conducts presentations, provides information to legislative committees, executive management and other groups and organizations.

Knowledge Skills Abilities :

Knowledge Skills Abilities : Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations relevant to health and human services.

Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration and the management of publicly-funded health care services and business functions.

Knowledge of HHS agency policy and procedures.

Knowledge of state and federal legislative processes and initiatives.

Knowledge of the principles of leadership to manage a large and diverse professional staff and to manage agency resources.

Knowledge of strategic planning, program management, cost recovery, financial, grant and contract management.

Knowledge of project management principles and practices.

Skill in establishing plans, performance measures, setting objectives and goals that support the success and overall business strategy of the section and department.

Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities and the ability to set and manage priorities.

Skill in leadership, communication and public speaking.

Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.

Skill in the use of computers, spreadsheets, databases, Microsoft Office.

Skill in decision-making at an senior level, including assessing risk and using good judgment to inform decisions and recommendations to leadership.

Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.

Ability to interpret reports and multiple data points and use them in effective decision-making.

Ability to promote and support creative thinking.

Ability to establish goals and objectives.

Ability to lead, implement and balance change and to improve program performance.

Ability to implement and use new technology and work processes to enhance decision making.

Ability to work under pressure, negotiating among multiple parties to resolve conflicts, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships to develop and implement solutions.

Ability to communicate and negotiate with diverse individuals and groups.

Ability to direct and organize program activities; and to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.