This is a temporary, time limited grant funded position in response to the 2024 Severe Weather declaration.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) grants that fully reimburse state mental health authorities for mental health assistance and training activities in counties included when there is a presidentially declared disaster. These grants are on local needs and developed in collaboration with the affected area’s Local Mental/Behavioral Health Authorities.
Disaster Behavioral Health Coordination (DBHC) administers this grant program using a bifurcated structure – Programmatic and Fiscal. Under the direction of Disaster Behavioral Health Coordination’s (DBHC) CCP Manager, the Special Populations Coordinator will provide technical assistance, develop resource and training materials for Local Mental/Behavioral Health Authorities that serve special populations affected by disaster. This position will work with grantees/contractors hosting the CCP grant to identify and meet these disaster recovery needs.
This position will (1) establish and maintain cooperative relationships with community representatives, faith-based, behavioral health, first responder and school groups; (2) develop and disseminate resources that support the delivery of community based crisis counseling and outreach services for special populations; (3) design, develop and distribute supportive family service programming focused on building individual and community resilience; (4) assist grantees/contractors through technical assistance, training and resource development to promote and foster resilience and successful coping techniques; and provide culturally sensitive education and training about the effects of trauma and healthy coping strategies.
These efforts will include disseminating information on post-disaster trauma-informed care and will help link grantees/contractor to longer term trauma recovery services. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Work involves planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing senior-level communication between HHSC, regional and local services during the CCP grant.
The Special Population Coordinator will assist in assessing the demographics of impacted communities, work with grantees/contractors to identify gaps and barriers in service and create strategic outreach plans that identify special populations. Identify community organizations, schools, and other organizations and form linkages with the CCP. Individuals in this position must have the ability to cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with state and federal resources as well as research best practice models for service provision.
Candidate must be able to travel 30% and work hours other than 8:00-5:00 including nights, weekends and holidays in support of the program and agency mission.
This position will perform other duties as assigned.
Essential Job Functions:
Disseminates information on post-disaster trauma-informed care and serve as a resource to contractors providing crisis counseling services. Coordinates with local behavioral health providers, Local Mental/Behavioral Health Authorities, and programs that serve special populations. Acts as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders. Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with representatives of community, daycare, faith-based, and school groups. Ensures the effective delivery of crisis counseling services, culturally sensitive education, and training by serving as a resource to contractors. Promotes resilience and successful coping techniques using individual, group, and family evidence-based strategies. Analyzes operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations. Consults with public and private agencies involved to resolve problems, identify training needs and discuss effectiveness. Works with and speaks to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve and ensure behavioral needs of the communities affected by disasters are met. 30%
Provides technical assistance and guidance to contractors serving special populations and families affected by the disaster. Involves planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing the performance of a variety of senior-level consultative services and technical assistance, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities associated with disaster recovery. Analyzes data on a weekly basis to identify gaps in services and serve trends related to children and special populations. 30%
Work involves planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of materials in response to requests for federal disaster program information and reports; researching effective techniques for evaluating federal disaster programs; preparing monitoring reports detailing findings and recommendations; developing disaster surveys; assisting in desk reviews to determine compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and related procedures; determining trends and resolving problems relating to federal disaster funding; and preparing federal disaster reports and studies and performs specialized projects.. 25%
Works with disaster-related teams to coordinate efforts in the planning and response to the aftermath of disasters. Contact with community providers and coordination to plan, develop, implement, and oversee the performance of a variety of research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities associated with disasters. 30%
Uses extensive latitude for independent judgement and initiative to effectively and efficiently resolve challenges and remove barriers as they arise. Reports to agency leadership regarding the work being done to meet local need and support local service infrastructure. Involves planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing compliance with federal disaster program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules according to the federal disaster requirements. Delivers federal disaster consultative services and technical assistance to agency leadership related to planning, implementing, and monitoring of related programs and services. 30%
Candidate must be able to travel 30% and work hours other than 8:00-5:00 including nights, weekends and holidays in support of the program and agency mission.
Performs related work as assigned.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of overall FEMA funded crisis counseling program, including federal and state guidelines, regulations, programs, policies and procedures.
Knowledge of services, resources and strategies to effectively serve special populations and families impacted by disaster.
Knowledge of public administration and management techniques and program management processes.
Knowledge of community based behavioral health systems and community outreach strategies. Skill in working within grant parameters.
Skill in project management and the ability to lead project teams; work with multiple stakeholders, and provide oversight to contracted vendors.
Skill in using personal computer application software such as Visio, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project or similar programs.
Skill in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations and write technical information in an understandable format.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to conduct sophisticated research; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures.
Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, highly deadline-orientated environment.
Ability to communicate effectively and to train, lead, assign, and prioritize staff workloads.
Ability to provide senior-level communication and technical assistance to manage the federal disaster needs.
Ability to function as the community liaison to agency leadership to ensure disaster requirements and needs are met.
Ability to travel 30% and/or as needed to meet grant deliverables.
Ability to work hours other than 8:00-5:00 including nights, weekends and holidays in support of the program and agency mission.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Current Driver’s License
Initial Selection Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in psychology, social work or any related field preferred. One year experience working with special populations. Graduate level education may be substituted for experience.
Experience with FEMA, SAMHSA, DBH program requirements and awards or related disaster recovery programs is preferred.
Experience working with HHSC, internal
Additional Information:
Positions advertised with this position description are temporary and will only be filled after a disaster declaration. Management is recruiting to identify qualified candidates that may be hired on short notice to fulfill the operations requirements when there is a federal disaster. Job requires working beyond normal work hours including holidays and weekends when necessary, especially in the first months after a disaster declaration.
DBHC is currently 100% telework, with occasional, scheduled office visits as directed by leadership. Telework is governed in accordance with agency and division telework policy and is subject to change at the discretion of leadership. This position is not a remote work position. Candidates must live in the Austin Metropolitan area.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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.
MOS Code:
Note: There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information, see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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.
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