CCP Communications/Data Specialist

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 Communication/Data Specialist position will assist in the development and implementation of Local Mental/Behavioral Health Authority disaster communication strategy, which includes media outreach and social media content creation; research and create content for broadcast messages, websites, public service announcements, infographics and other digital psychoeducational materials.

This position will serve as the subject matter expert on the design, development, dissemination and distribution of accurate and timely disaster communications information. This position will oversee research, writing, editing, and production of informational material for release to internal and external audiences.

Duties include but is not limited to: (1) high-frequency, short turn-around updates for Local Mental/Behavioral Health Authorities and HHSC leadership, (2) coordination of DBH press/media release and social media content, (3) oversee the design and development of illustrative, photographic, or audiovisual service materials e.g. tipsheets, outreach flyers. Works cross agency to incorporate strategic planning and decision making to incorporate telehealth in response to current events and guidelines, and (4) oversee and manage the data collection activities from LMHAs to report to FEMA.

Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with representatives of businesses, community, media, public interest groups, and school groups. Writes, edits, and coordinates design for internal and external CCP publications, the media, the internet, social media, marketing collateral, and other related materials.

Assures messages are aligned with CDC and state and local health departments. Assists in coordination of events, activities, and branding related to promotion of the CCP. Manages the procurement and use of paid media channels to promote the CCP through pay-per-click promotions, public safety announcements, ad buys, etc. Serves as a media liaison for general and routine media inquiries and pitches in conjunction with project leadership.

The Communication/Data Specialist communicates effectively (verbally and in writing), makes presentations and collaborates with both internal agency leadership and external stakeholders. may serve as a lead providing direction to others and works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

Oversees research, writing, editing, and production of informational material for release to internal and external audiences. Maintains communication and community ties between HHSC and external audiences through innovative methods such as webinar or mobile communications. 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 the response and recovery to the disaster. 20%

Develops high-frequency, short turn-around updates for agency leadership, coordination of press/media release content related to behavioral health recovery services, and development of illustrative, photographic, or audiovisual products designed to disseminate information about disaster services. Provides awareness of disaster-related behavioral health services and in development of communications between the Behavioral Health Services Section and internal and external audiences.

Duties involve planning, developing, implementing, and overseeing the performance of a variety of research, planning, policy development, program assessment, and administrative activities. Organizes and prepares materials in response to requests and reports related to federally funded grant projects. 20%

Acts as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders. Explains program and agency statutory requirements.

Monitors required performance reports and recommends appropriate changes. 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, provide guidance and ensure behavioral needs of the statewide impacted areas. 15%

Involves planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of materials in response to requests for information and reports. Involves planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing the effective techniques for evaluating federally funded programs. 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 HHSC, FEMA and SAMSHA program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules according to the federal disaster requirements. Delivers consultative services and technical assistance to agency leadership related to planning, implementing, and monitoring of related programs and services. 15%

Implements and oversees the CCP data collection activities and serves as the liaison between the LMHAs and SAMHSA for collecting and analyzing data. Data will be reported to FEMA and SAMHA to provide data analysis and receive feedback from leadership. 30%

Involves planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing studies and analyses of operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations to determine compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and related procedures. Determines trends and resolves operational problems relating to federal disaster funding. Prepares federal disaster reports and studies and performs specialized projects. 30%

Ability to travel 30%

Performs related work as assigned. Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Knowledge of overall program, including federal and state guidelines, regulations, programs, policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of webinar programs and software that can be used as a means of communicating as well as delivery of services (telehealth).

• Skill in responding to disaster or critical incidents in a behavioral health environment and working within grant parameters.

• Skill in project management and the ability to lead project teams; work with multiple stakeholders and provide oversight to contracted providers.

• 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.

• Skill in establishing communication platforms to ensure contracted providers are providing services efficiently and by local, state and federal guidelines.

• 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, 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% or as needed.

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 business administration or related field preferred. One year experience in communications field. Graduate level education may be substituted for experience.

Experience working with HHSC, internal, and external audiences is preferred.

Experience with FEMA, SAMHSA, DBH program requirements and awards or related disaster recovery programs is preferred.

Additional Information:

Positions advertised with this position description are temporary. 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.

I-9 Form

• Click here to download the I-9 form.

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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