DSS Manager III

Job Description:
Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state.

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as (k) and Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you
The Director of Support Services (DSS) performs complex managerial work administering and overseeing the daily operations and activities of the Support Services Departments at the State Supported Living Center. These departments typically consist of plant maintenance, grounds keeping, motor pool/fleet management, food services (food preparation and dietary services), housekeeping and laundry services. Other departments, such as training, switchboard operations, risk management, and barber/cosmetology, may be included in the DSS supervisory chain depending upon facility needs. The DSS hires, develops, manages, schedules, sets priorities for, and oversees the activity of staff the department. Ensures that the assigned departments have an adequate and well-trained work force. Plans, organizes, implements and measures effectiveness of support services provided for the facility, in accordance with operational standards set by the Health and Human Services Commission, local facility policies and procedures, Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement, and other relevant operational standards/practices. Oversees the physical plant, and all environmental issues within the facility perimeter. Establishes goals and objectives which proactively address potential issues for the SSLC such as an aging physical plant and aging machinery such as HVAC systems or plumbing. Serves as the liaison to state-office and other stakeholders for contracts and procurement, facilities services support, food services, environmental services, laundry services, and emergency management. Serves as the primary point of contact for all infrastructure, capital construction and maintenance efforts and activity at the facility. Actively participates in and/or facilitates meetings to represent the business functions of the department and performs other duties as assigned. Completes or analyze budgets for projects as assigned. Responsible for mitigating and controlling costs related to workers’ compensation exposure, and for emergency management/disaster preparedness. Works under the general supervision of the Assistant Director of Administration (ADoA) with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The DSS serves as acting/interim ADoA as needed and serves in the on-call rotation.
Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.

Provides leadership and plans, assigns and supervises the activities of support services departmental staff, including but not limited to, plant maintenance, grounds keeping, motor pool/fleet management, food services (food preparation and dietary services), housekeeping and laundry services. Directly supervises the maintenance, food services and laundry services supervisors and other assigned staff based upon SSLC structure and needs. Hires, trains, and promotes professional growth of the employees within the department so that a competent workforce is maintained. Ensures that all departmental staff are compliant in training per agency and facility standards. Conducts performance evaluations of assigned staff to give employees timely feedback on their performance and oversees staff development plans and activities. Takes action to improve employee retention and reduce turnover.

Ensures organizational structure is set up for effective and efficient utilization of staff and available resources. Ensures facility's compliance with operational standards set by the Health and Human Services Commission, local facility policies and procedures, Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement, State Office Risk Management (SORM), State Fire Marshall, American with Disabilities, Texas Administrative Code (T.A.C.) and all ICF-IID and Life Safety Code regulations. Ensures deficiencies are corrected within 45 days of report or as scheduled in the plan of correction. Participates in continuous process improvement and other activities to gain full compliance with the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement.

Implements and monitors a safety program with the maintenance department. Inspects work space and equipment for hazardous conditions and takes necessary action to correct the unsafe conditions. Ensures safety training and equipment is available and maintains a log of safety meetings. Is a voting member on the SSLC Safety Committee.

Takes both proactive and corrective action as necessary to ensure optimal safe operations of the physical plant and infrastructure. Establishes goals and objectives which proactively address potential issues for the SSLC such as an aging physical plant and aging machinery such as HVAC systems or plumbing. Inspects building for various construction, environmental, utilization, safety, appearance, and health and sanitation standards on work performed by in-house personnel and contractors. Assists contractors and vendors with ensuring Information Technology/Telecommunications infrastructure is adequate. Identifies areas of needed change and makes recommendations for continuous quality improvement of operations to the supervisor.

Oversees and facilitates property management, capital construction and maintenance projects. Prioritizes and fully establishes capital construction projects in the automated system on time, approved in advance by the SSLC Director. Once a capital construction project is funded, manages that project fully on-site, and represents the SSLC in terms of the project's impact on the facility including budget implications. Attends stakeholder and facility support meetings to represent the SSLC. Serves as a liaison to state-office for contracts and procurement, facilities support services, food services, environmental services, and laundry services.

Ensures that adequate internal controls of all services and operations are in place for the environmental services, food service and maintenance departments. Develops and implements a plan to assure that all required audits are conducted as scheduled and corrective actions are identified and implemented. Serves as a management team professional to assist the Director of the SSLC in the overall improvement of the facility.

If assigned, oversees the workers compensation program at the SSLC. Reviews incidents and claims, ensures the database is maintained. Pulls reports, identifies trends and takes action to mitigate workers compensation exposure by taking action such as repairing industrial hazards (areas where slips, trips and falls could occur, for example). Is a voting member of the Accident Review Board (ARB). Ensures employees have accurate information and resources related to workers’ compensation claims. Oversees the emergency management/disaster preparedness plan, including conducting table-top exercises, as assigned. Serves as a liaison to state-office for emergency management.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Ability to make independent and sound technical judgments.
Ability to work in a team environment, and to train, schedule and/or prioritize the work of others.
Ability to organize workload and set priorities.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and devise solutions.
Ability to effectively communicate technical information in an understandable way, both orally and in writing, to small and large groups.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, conduct a root cause analysis, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to evaluate policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain flexibility in work hours, which may require overtime or extended hours.
Skill in problem solving and solutions.
Skills in identifying measures or indicators of program performance.
Skill in Microsoft applications and knowledge of personal computers.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to Intermediate Care Facilities/Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Electrical Code (NEC), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and Texas Administrative Code (TAC).
Knowledge of public administration and management techniques, statistical analysis and program planning.

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