Assistant Superintendent

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.

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Director III, Assistant Superintendent, performs highly advanced managerial work, including overseeing the daily hospital support operations. State Hospitals (SH) provide 24-hour inpatient psychiatric care, with all SH facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. The SH provides comprehensive psychiatric and behavioral health services that are recovery-oriented and evidence-based. The Assistant Superintendent plans for, administers, and directs all programs and services that support the hospital physical environment and infrastructure. Directs processes and develops contingency plans to ensure there are proper support services on a 24/7 basis in order to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for patients, as well as a safe working environment for employees. Supports and executes the strategic vision of the Superintendent. Establishes long-term goals and short-term plans and provides oversight to areas such as competency training and development (CTD), switchboard/reception, plant maintenance and groundskeeping, housekeeping/custodial services, food service, risk management, security, reimbursement, and laundry services. Establishes priorities for department managers and oversees their work, as well as develops and ensures the implementation of operational policies and procedures related to those areas.

Oversees the hiring, training, and work of the staff within the assigned departments. Participates in strategic planning as a member of the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Council and the hospital Executive Team. Directs the development and implementation of corrective action plans, quality improvement plans for fiscal and support services areas, and evaluates progress. Represents the SH interests as the liaison to other areas of the agency for contracts, materials/asset management, information technologies (IT), human resources, and time labor and leave/payroll. Assists the Superintendent with promoting the hospital through community outreach and interface with Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHA) and Local Behavioral Health Authorities (LBHA), and other community stakeholders. Assists the Superintendent and provides leadership in the development of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Plan. Serves as the Acting Superintendent in the absence of the Superintendent. Serves in the Executive on-call rotation. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Serves as a designee in the absence of the Superintendent and as an Administrative Officer on Call/Duty in rotation with other executive staff. Directs and oversees the organization and operation of the hospital support services to ensure efficiency and effectiveness and executes the SH Superintendent’s goals and vision for the SH. Establishes the business plan for the division in accordance with operational standards set out by HHSC and the SH division. Provides leadership, strategic direction, and guidance to assigned areas. Directs processes and develops contingency plans to ensure there are proper support services on a 24/7 basis, in-order to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for patients, as well as a safe working environment for employees. Oversees and directs preparation of Payroll Authorization Requests and other paperwork related to hiring and separation, job changes, reclassification/job audit requests, payroll distribution, and salary exception requests. Oversees and reviews salary overpayment data and directs collection efforts. Ensures changes are correctly entered into the position control system such as position activation/inactivation, changes to shift, department, and/or supervisor assignment. Oversees fixed assets and ensures the accuracy of annual inventory of assets.

Directs and oversees the work of the SH fiscal and support services team, and directly or indirectly supervises other program areas such as switchboard/reception, reimbursement, food service, plant maintenance and groundskeeping, housekeeping/custodial services, motor pool, laundry services, risk management, and security operations, depending upon SH structure. Performs managerial functions including hiring, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions, and oversees the work performed by other managers within the department. Maintains a diverse workforce that is appropriately configured, trained, and supported in its mission to provide quality customer services. Ensures that all SH staff are compliant in training per agency and SH standards.

Develops and deploys policies, procedures, and guidelines to govern the operations of the support and fiscal services division such as fleet management policies, procurement policies, telecommunication policies, food services preparation and distribution procedures; disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans, key control guidelines, and facility access procedures. Develops and implements adequate internal controls and contingency plans for environmental services, food service, key control and facility access, and maintenance departments to ensure basic services are uninterrupted during all types of emergency situations.

Develops goals and objectives to ensure living conditions, food services, and other areas in the division is consistent with the SH strategic plan, the Joint Commission and CMS conditions of participation, Texas Administrative Code, Uniform Building Codes, Life Safety Code, State Fire Marshall and SORM standards, and Life Safety Code regulations. Develops goals and objectives which proactively address potential issues for the SH such as an aging physical plant and machinery including HVAC systems or plumbing. Establishes and oversees a plan for any needed repairs and improvements to the SH property and buildings, ensuring that funds are spent judiciously and economically.

Works with Health and Specialty Care System Facility Support Services on the planning and implementation of major projects such as new construction, building renovation, and water safety projects (Legionella and lead abatement). Identifies and weighs the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems when acting on plans. Directs and oversees projects to set priorities and oversee progress to achieve completion of established goals. Develops requests for procurement, oversees vendor selection, develops project specifics, establishes timelines, and coordinates with the SH Superintendent and Financial Officer and other relevant stakeholders to identify organizational impacts and discuss logistics. Oversee timelines, develops standards to evaluate work performance, and directs evaluation activities.

Oversees the collection and dissemination of workforce management reports such as fill and turnover reports, overtime (OT) reports, and active position reports. Reviews fiscal reports and data with regional business staff, analyze the information and advises the Superintendent on the status of the budget. Reviews and analyzes reports related to the governing fiscal, support, and staff services. Prepares and presents comprehensive, concise, and accurate reports regarding this information to the SH Superintendent and department heads for action.

Ensures all Environment of Care, Life Safety, and Risk Management programs and plans are current and in compliance to minimize the risk and effects of potential disasters by preparing after action plans to be reviewed by facility leadership. Analyzes personal protective equipment usage, supply, and availability to ensure the facility has an adequate amount to maintain the safety of both patients and staff. Responsible for COVID PPE Inventory/Reports, coordination of COVID Testing/Supplies/Reporting, and required CMS reporting.

Reviews results of special investigations such as those conducted by HHSC-PI, Joint Commission and Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which involve areas such as training/training records, use of camera surveillance/video, and theft or property damage. Reviews results of internal audits such as those involving support services functions. Review the results of Facility Support Performance Indicators (FSPI). Provides direction and guidance to department managers to address identified system issues. Reviews available workforce studies to stay abreast of workforce trends and makes recommendations to the Superintendent on staffing/workforce issues in consultation with Human Resources and Payroll, Time, Labor and Leave staff.

Coordinates and implements Facility Support Services Performance Indicators (FSPI) audits to ensure the State Hospital is in compliance, and the audits are completed correctly in a timely manner as required on a quarterly basis. Serves as member of the System Operations Committee where policies and procedures are discussed, created, and voted on for submission to the Governing Body of the State Hospital System.

Develops and implements techniques to monitor compliance with policies and procedures and evaluate services provided by assigned areas. Identifies needed changes through oversight of evaluation activities such as environmental reviews of patient units, facility security (perimeter, entrance/egress) and vehicle safety, mealtime monitoring to assess proper nutrition, food appearance quality, and correct diet textures. Maintains a physical presence on the facility grounds, coaching others on how to inspect for areas needing corrective action and modeling appropriate interaction with staff and SH patients. Provides recommendations for operational and programmatic adjustments to improve services. Facilitates accountability and provides meaningful and objective feedback to all stakeholders on progress toward the achievement of department goals and objectives. Develops and oversees a plan to assure that all required audits are conducted as scheduled and corrective actions are identified and implemented.

Represents the SH as the liaison to regional business management staff, state-office facility and support services divisions, human resources/time leave and labor/payroll, information Technologies (IT), surveillance technology, and other areas as needed. Serves as facility representative for interactions with financial institutions, trust fund auditors, and federal funding sources. Provides input to the SH Superintendent during legislative sessions related to Exceptional Items/ Legislative Appropriations Request such as identifying fleet, IT, and workforce needs. Participates in strategic planning as a member of the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Council and the Executive Team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to a business function in psychiatric hospitals.

Knowledge of management, supervision, human resources principles and processes.

Knowledge of psychiatric hospital standards, rules, regulations, and legal status, including Life Safety Code, Texas Administrative Code, TJC and CMS.

Knowledge of quality management (i.e., TQM, CQI, etc.).

Skill in communicating effectively both written and oral.

Skill in dealing with the public.

Ability to manage departments and activities to establish goals and objectives.

Ability to evaluate and implement policies and procedures.

Ability to prepare reports and make clear and concise public presentations regarding all assigned programs.

Ability to manage multiple programs effectively and to prioritize and manage tasks independently.

Ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and

At least four (4) years of management experience in a hospital, governmental agency, residential facility or where work involved supervising/directing multiple staff members and establishing long-term goals and short-term plans for the assigned area.

• OR

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.

And

At least two (2) years of management experience in a hospital, governmental agency, residential facility, or where work involved supervising/directing multiple staff members and establishing long-term goals and short-term plans for the assigned area.

AND the following:

Experience in the development and implementation of a business plan for a large organization or department.

Experience developing or overseeing a budget (preferably a multimillion-dollar budget) and identifying cost efficiencies.

Experience developing and deploying policies to govern the operation of an organization or department.

Experience managing multiple departments is preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

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.