Family Violence and Human Trafficking Specialist

Location: Austin, TX

About the role

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. As part of the Office of Family Services (OFS), the Family Violence and Human Trafficking (FVHT) Program Specialist performs highly advanced (senior-level) complex policy, research, outreach, training, and technical assistance work for the Family Violence Program (FVP) and the Human Trafficking Resource Center (HTRC).

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise on family violence and human trafficking, with a special emphasis on the intersection and co-occurrence of these issues.
• Coordinate the review and approval process of the HHS Human Trafficking Prevention Training program.
• Enhance access to information and best practices regarding violence prevention and services to survivors of human trafficking and multiple victimizations.
• Work with internal and external partners to support program operational needs for FVP grantees and HTRC stakeholders.
• Lead legislative session activities, implementation, and reporting for FVP and HTRC.
• Plan, develop, and oversee trainings, presentations, process improvement, and quality assurance of FVP and HTRC program operations.
• Initiate and engage in cross-department collaboration and integration activities.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for FVP policy and rules, facilitating internal and external workgroups, and providing administrative, reporting, and program support to the FVP team and service providers.
• Provide technical assistance to grantees, including assessments of policy compliance, confidentiality requirements, identification of issues and solutions, grant management, and strategic planning.
• Support the FVP contract management team and grantees with program monitoring activities.
• Coordinate, track, and oversee the HHS Human Trafficking Prevention Training program to ensure the list of approved trainings is accurate and current.
• Oversee the reporting and maintenance of the HEART training on the HHS Learning Portal, including quarterly accreditation reports.
• Provide technical assistance regarding HEART and other approved trainings, and collaborate with external stakeholders to solicit new trainings for specialized practitioners.
• Develop and share best practices on survivor care for multiple victimizations, including human trafficking, survivors with disabilities, accessibility services, language access, and tribal partnerships.
• Provide training and technical assistance to FVP grantees and stakeholders on human trafficking screening, specialized services for co-occurring abuse and exploitation, and program quality, outcomes, and evaluation best practices.
• Participate in planning, development, and implementation of Office of Family Services programming.
• Attend external workgroups and task force meetings relevant to FVP and HTRC.
• Manage legislative session activities and implementation reporting for FVP and HTRC.
• Perform assignments in accordance with program work plan timelines and monitor progress on special projects and program plans.
• Prepare, review, and submit reports and assignments accurately and timely.
• Perform other duties and/or special projects to support FVP, HTRC, OFS, and Family Health Services.

Requirements

• Experience in developing professional communication and training materials.
• Experience working on family violence or human trafficking initiatives with a governmental agency or nonprofit organization (preferred).
• Experience in rulemaking and legislative session activities (preferred).
• Experience collecting and analyzing program data (preferred).

Skills

• Knowledge of public policies and programs, as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to family violence and human trafficking.
• Knowledge of policy and procedure development, implementation, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of family violence and human trafficking legislation and statewide initiatives.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and practices.
• Knowledge of continuing education and accreditation standards.
• Skill in organization and project management.
• Skill using the internet and computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and Adobe Pro.
• Skill in analyzing, evaluating, and solving service delivery problems and implementing effective solutions.
• Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues at all levels in the organization as well as external customers.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officials, national, state, and local governmental and community organizations, and advocacy groups.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts, and devise solutions to problems.
• Ability to prepare concise yet complex reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to maintain confidential files and documents.
• Ability to think creatively and support creative thinking in others.

Benefits

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.

Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Pay

Salary Range: $5,500.00 - $6,900.00 per month

Schedule

• Full-time
• Day shift (First)
• Eligible for telework
• Travel: Up to 20%