Job/Position DescriptionProgram Specialist VIThis is a grant funded time-limited position.Incidents of mass violence have a devastating effect on communities. When they occur, communities depend on local, regional, and state first responder (Law Enforcement, Fire Service, Emergency Medical Services, and Communications/Dispatch) and Victim Services resources to respond effectively and efficiently. Disaster Behavioral Health Coordination (DBHC) is developing and enhancing community mental health emergency preparedness and response plans across the state of Texas. DBHC will use a readiness framework that defines readiness as the intersection of when preparedness (i.e., planning, drilling, and exercising) targets have been met and the organization is willing and able to effectively leverage their newfound capacity and capability against a Mass Violence Incident (MVI). Under the direction of the Director of DBHC and in coordination with DBHC Assistant Director and Grant Coordinator, the First Responder Readiness Specialist performs advanced consultative, training, and technical assistance work in the development and implementation of the statewide plan. The First Responder Readiness Specialist will assist with: (1) First Responder resource identification at the State, Regional, and Local levels, (2) identifying training resources to build capacity for peers, clinicians, and Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs), and (3) develop deployment and demobilization plans for first responder peer teams in coordination with state, university, and local mental health providers of first responder peer support resources.Activities:Performs highly complex, advanced (senior-level) consultative services, training and technical assistance work to help LMHAs and Local Behavioral Health Authorities (LBHAs) with all three phases of readiness. Work is heavily focused on the development and implementation of deployment and demobilization plans and protocols for first responder peer teams that includes state, university, and local providers of first responder peer support resources. Assist external stakeholders to identify and catalog culturally competent mental health resources at the state and local level. This position would also identify resources for family support of first responders and develop protocols to support families of first responders. They would identify training focused on return to work following an MVI response and develop and roster three DBH Incident Command Teams.Essential Job Functionsand#149; Develops, coordinates, and facilitates the disaster behavioral health preparedness first responder resource identification and catalogue. Advises LMHA/LBHAs on identifying training resources to build capacity for peers and clinicians. Assists in the development and implementation of demobilization plans and protocols for first responders. Assists in the development and rostering of three DBH Incident Command Teams. (30%)and#149; Identify and coordinate the development of seven deployable first responder peer teams with state, university, and local providers of first responder peer support resources and providers. (30%)and#149; Daily Operations and#150; Plans, develops, maintains policies and standard operating procedures related to the DBHC program. Assists in the development of program metrics, i.e., outputs, outcomes, key performance indicators. Measures program effectiveness; recommends and implements practice enhancements and process improvements. Assists with the development and implementation of DBHC https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/CareerPortal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=607841 Copy the URL in the preceding sentence to an Internet Explorer browser to apply to the job directly through the Texas Health and Human Services Career Portal.