Opioid Prevention Services Lead

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: Opioid Prevention Services Lead Job Title: Program Specialist VII Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: SOR Program Support Posting Number: 17857 Closing Date: 06/26/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $9,508.25 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 5% 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: MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS Under the supervision of the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) Associate Director, the TTOR Opioid Prevention Lead performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work related to the development and implementation of HHSC agency opioid misuse prevention and opioid overdose prevention services. The Prevention Specialist VII plans, develops coordinates, and implements prevention initiatives under the Texas Targeted Opioid Response including but not limited to opioid misuse awareness, safe drug disposal, utilization of the Prescription Monitoring Program and other safe prescribing practices, and opioid overdose prevention. The Opioid Prevention Lead provides consultative services and technical assistance to programs and systems in order to reduce risk-taking behaviors, promote resilience, and prevent problem behaviors in individuals and families across the lifespan. The Opioid Prevention Lead interfaces with internal and external partners including program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public to coordinate policy development and analysis that involves state health and human services issues, specifically services that reduce the impact of opioid misuse on communities. The Opioid Prevention Lead works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative, creative/innovative problem solving, and independent judgment. The Opioid Prevention Lead trains, leads, assigns, and/or prioritizes the work of others. This position is telework eligible. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business need. Essential Job Functions Subject Matter Expertise: Acts as senior level subject matter expert on issues pertaining to opioid misuse and overdose prevention. Is attuned to developments within the field of prevention in behavioral health. Provides subject matter expertise to both internal partners and external stakeholder groups on the integration of new programs, policies, and procedures. Development: Through ongoing program assessment and population needs assessment, identifies gaps and the need for new prevention programs. Uses creative problem solving to design innovative and integrated prevention programs statewide. Initiates procurement processes, develops scopes of work, reviews budgets, develops funding methodologies, and collaborates with contract development, contract management staff, and potential contractors to fully develop contracts and manage within federal and state timelines. Oversight: Oversees the development and implementation of TTOR Prevention services. Ensures quality service delivery through the provision of technical assistance. Organizes and provides regularly scheduled, ongoing technical assistance calls with TTOR Prevention funded service providers as well as interdepartmental project team meetings. Consults public and private providers of TTOR prevention services and stakeholder groups to resolve problems and identify training needs. Ensure services are delivered within scope, with fidelity, and within budget. Uses project management tools to organize program oversight. Assessment: Assesses program performance, productivity, and effectiveness through interdepartmental and system agency collaboration and data gathering. Develops program evaluation tools in collaboration with interdepartmental partners. Tracks program outputs and outcomes. Communication and Reporting: Responds to state, federal, legislative, grant, and media requests/inquiries through the development of reports and communication plans ensuring coordination with appropriate staff. Escalates issues to management as appropriate for decision making and/or resolution. Initiates, develops and ensures the coordination of briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, bill analyses and memorandums for executive management review and decision-making. Represents HHSC as requested at meetings and hearings. Other duties as assigned: Cross train with team members and serve as back-up subject matter expert. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of: 1. Primary prevention approaches and public health promotion methods. 2. Application of evidenced-based practices for opioid and stimulant misuse prevention programs 3. Local, state, and federal laws/rules related to the provision of opioid and stimulant misuse prevention services 4. Prevention, intervention, and treatment concepts and program components as they relate to the provision of opioid and stimulant services statewide 5. The six CSAP strategies and the Strategic Prevention Framework Skills in: 1. Effective verbal and written communication with both internal staff and external stakeholders 2. Public speaking 3. Facilitation of large workgroups 4. Exceptional written skills 5. Microsoft Office, especially Teams and Excel 6. Data analysis and reporting, as well as qualitative interpretation of complex policy issues 7. Identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions to complex policy and implementation issues 8. Prioritizing complex and competing priorities to meet strict deadlines 9. Quick comprehension of complex issues 10. Managing complex issues and communicating effectively during challenging situations related to individuals at risk of overdose and/or suicide or other complex stressful issues or disasters Ability to: Build and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with diverse professionals and stakeholders Conduct statistical analysis of prevention programs Analyze the applications and variations of prevention programs, identify problems and propose implementation solutions Support the development and oversight of the prevention program contracts, rules and regulations Provide technical assistance to providers Lead cross functional work groups Coordinate the procurement and development of contracts related to opioid and stimulant misuse prevention services and support activities, including the development of request for proposals, scopes of work, task orders and any related templates or tools Assist in the revision and development of statewide rules, regulations and procedures for behavioral health prevention Prepare grant proposals, project reports, white-papers, budgets and written documentation Provide presentations and prepare public health prevention materials for diverse audiences including executive leadership, stakeholders, conferences and persons with lived experiences Initial Screening Criteria Required: A four-year degree from an accredited college or university in prevention science, social work, public health, sociology, psychology, health education, or a related field At least three years of experience in substance use prevention or in public/behavioral health prevention Preferred: A master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in prevention science, social work, public health, sociology, psychology, health education, or a related field Prevention Specialist Certification 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. Apply To This Job