CCP Communication/Data Specialist Job at Texas Health and Human Services Commiss

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.

Functional Title: CCP Communication/Data Specialist
Job Title: Program Specialist VI
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: BHS Central TX Flood ISP
Posting Number: 8588
Closing Date: 09/17/2025
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, Media
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 30%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST
Other Locations: Austin
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

This position is a temporary, time-limited grant-funded position in response to the 2025 Central Texas Floods declaration.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) grants fund mental health assistance and training activities provided in counties following a presidentially declared disaster. These grants are based on local needs and developed in collaboration with local mental health and behavioral health authorities (LMHAs/LBHAs) in the affected regions.

Under the direction of Disaster Behavioral Health Coordination's (DBHC) CCP Manager, the Media/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 turnaround 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., and (4) oversees and manages 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. Assists in the coordination of events, activities, and branding related to the promotion of the Texans Recovering Together 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 Media/Data Specialist communicates effectively (both 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. Acts as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders. Maintains communication and community ties between HHSC and external audiences through innovative methods such as webinars or mobile communications. Involves a range of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities associated with disaster response and recovery. (20%)

Ensures adherence to federal disaster program policies, procedures, statutes, and regulations stipulated by FEMA and SAMHSA requirements, as well as the award. Delivers consultative services and technical assistance to agency leadership related to planning, implementing, and monitoring of related programs and services. Provides clear explanations of program and agency statutory requirements. Uses extensive latitude for independent judgment to resolve challenges and eliminate barriers as they arise effectively. (20%)

Monitors required performance reports and recommends appropriate changes. Analyzes program operations to identify problems and prepares reports that include findings and recommendations. Consults with public and private agencies involved to resolve issues, identify training needs and discuss effectiveness. Work closely with community and professional groups to foster engagement, coordinate, improve, and meet the behavioral needs of communities affected by disasters. Organizes and prepares materials in response to requests for program information and reports related to the federal disaster funding. (20%)

Develops and implements effective methods for evaluating the federal disaster program. Implements and oversees the CCP data collection activities. Acts as a liaison between the LMHAs and SAMHSA for collecting and analyzing data to FEMA and SAMHSA to provide data analysis and receive feedback from leadership. Reports to agency leadership on efforts to meet local needs and support local service infrastructure. Responsible for identifying and reporting training needs to the CCP Manager. (20%)

Develops high-frequency, short turnaround 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 facilitates communication 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. (20%)

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge

• 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 the delivery of services (telehealth).

Skills

• Skill in responding to disasters 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.

Abilities

• 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-oriented 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.
• 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 business administration or a related field, plus one year of experience in the communications field. Graduate level education may be substituted for experience.

Ability to Travel 30% or as needed.

Ability to work hours other than 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, including nights, weekends, and holidays in support of the program and agency mission.

Additional Information:

Positions advertised with this position description are temporary and will only be filled after a disaster declaration. Multiple vacancies for this position. Management is recruiting to identify qualified candidates who may be hired on short notice to fulfill operational requirements in the event of a federal disaster.

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.

Ability to work the hours 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday, and be flexible to work alternate work hours as needed. The job requires working beyond normal working hours, including holidays and weekends, when necessary, and frequently following an emergency, incident, or disaster declaration with little to no prior notice. An individual must be able to work under stressful situations and long hours as part of a deployed team. Individuals are required to monitor program communications via iPhone, text message, and email and promptly respond accordingly.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified of selection results.

An in-basket exercise will be given immediately following the interview.

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.