Functional Title: Director of Evaluation and Quality Management Job Title: Research Specialist VI Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: Facilities DEC Posting Number: 20402 Closing Date: 09/07/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Range: $6,377.50- $10,785.83 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-26 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Telework: Travel: Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location:Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 909 W 45TH ST BLDG 552 Other Locations: MOS Codes: 0231,0531,4505,4591,8051,8825,8850,15AX,35F,38A,49A,683X,783X,CYB14,IS,ISS,OSS

Brief Description

The Director of Evaluation and Quality Management performs advanced (senior-level) program evaluation, quality management, research, planning, and quality improvement work for the Office of Forensic Services and Coordination (OFSC). The position works under the direction of OFSC's Deputy Associate Commissioner as a member of the Policy, Planning, Research, and Coordination Team, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment to support statewide forensic programs and initiatives.

This position plays a key role in ensuring the statutorily mandated duties of the State Forensic Director, established through Senate Bill 1507, 84th Legislature, Regular Session (2015), are met. These duties include statewide coordination and oversight of forensic services; coordination of forensic programs operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC); and addressing issues affecting the delivery of forensic services in Texas, including significant increases in populations with serious mental illness and criminal justice system involvement.

The position is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a statewide Forensic Quality Management (QM) Tool designed to establish forensic service standards and best practices and support quality improvement across forensic programs. The position will also design and conduct evaluations of contracted forensic services and programs, including Inpatient Competency Restoration (ICR) services, Outpatient Competency Restoration (OCR) services, and Jail-Based Competency Restoration (JBCR) services. The position will also lead the evaluation of OFSC forensic services and initiatives to support ongoing improvement efforts and assess effectiveness, quality, outcomes, and system impact.

Additionally, the position will develop and maintain partnerships with universities, researchers, and external stakeholders to expand forensic research and evaluation activities that support innovation, evidence-based practices, and continuous enhancement of forensic services. The Director of Program Evaluation and Quality Management is expected to be a highly motivated self-starter who can independently manage complex projects, analyze data and trends, facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and translate findings into actionable recommendations that improve forensic services, system performance, and outcomes.

Essential Job Functions

(35%) Quality Management and Quality Improvement

• Develops a quality management program for forensic services, and leads development, implementation, and continuous improvement activities for forensic services.
• Establishes forensic service standards and best practices informed by evidence-based care, clinical and administrative best practices, applicable policies and procedures, and operational performance measures.
• Coordinates forensic program reviews to assess alignment with established standards, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, and provide structured feedback.
• Develops quality indicators, performance metrics, scorecards, data collection methodologies, and reporting tools to support continuous quality improvement of forensic services and indicatives.
• Collaborates with clinical, operational, and administrative leadership to identify improvement strategies and quality improvement initiatives.

(35%) Program Evaluation and Performance Analysis

• Designs and conducts evaluations of forensic programs and services, including ICR, OCR, JBCR, FST, JIR, Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI), and other HHSC forensic initiatives.
• Develops evaluation frameworks, logic models, performance metrics, and outcome measures to assess program effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and system impact.
• Analyzes quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, service gaps, barriers, and opportunities for system improvement.
• Prepares reports, presentations, executive briefings, and recommendations for agency leadership and stakeholders.
• Supports strategic planning, policy development, and legislative initiatives through data-informed analyses and evaluation findings.

(10%) Research and External Partnerships

• Establishes and maintains collaborative partnerships with universities, research institutions, and external stakeholders to advance forensic behavioral health research and evaluation activities.
• Identifies opportunities to expand research related to forensic services..
• Coordinates research projects, data-sharing activities, and evaluation initiatives consistent with agency policies and applicable laws.
• Translates research findings into actionable recommendations to enhance forensic services and inform policy and operational decisions.

(10%) Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation

• Provides technical assistance, consultation, training, and guidance to HSCS facilities, community providers, contractors, and agency staff regarding quality management, program evaluation, performance measurement, and quality improvement methodologies.
• Facilitates workgroups, committees, and stakeholder meetings focused on forensic quality improvement and system performance.
• Represents OFSC in internal and external meetings, conferences, and collaborative initiatives.

(5%) Other Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned to support OFSC priorities and statewide forensic behavioral health initiatives.

(5%) Ongoing Professional Development

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of program evaluation, quality management, quality improvement, and performance measurement.
• Forensic program and services across the forensic continuum, from inpatient to outpatient programs.
• Mental health and substance use programs and services
• Research methodologies, statistical concepts, data collection techniques, and outcome evaluation approaches.
• Continuous quality improvement frameworks and performance management systems.
• State and federal laws, rules, and policies related to forensic services.
• Organizational change management and project management principles.

Skill in:

• Data analysis, data interpretation, and performance measurement.
• Developing evaluation plans, logic models, quality standards, and outcome measures.
• Preparing written reports, executive summaries, and presentations.
• Project management and coordination of complex initiatives.
• Building partnerships and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Problem solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement statewide quality management and evaluation frameworks.
• Analyze complex operational, clinical, and programmatic information and make sound recommendations.
• Translate data and research into actionable quality improvement strategies.
• Communicate effectively with executive leadership, clinical professionals, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Facilitate consensus among diverse stakeholder groups.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a master's degree in public administration, public health, behavioral health, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, statistics, health services research, or a related field or a bachelor's degree with five years of evaluation experience.
• Experience conducting program evaluation, quality management, quality improvement, performance measurement, research, policy analysis, or program administration.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting data and communicating findings to leadership and stakeholders.
• Experience developing reports, recommendations, and performance improvement strategies.

Preferred:

• Experience with the evaluation of forensic mental health programs and services.
• Experience developing quality management frameworks, accreditation standards, or evaluation tools.
• Experience collaborating with universities, researchers, or academic institutions.
• Experience with data visualization, statistical software, performance dashboards, or quality improvement methodologies.

Additional Information:

SALARY NOTE: The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum allowable by state law. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual Chapter 7.

If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.

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.