Director of Residential Services

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: Director of Residential Services 
Job Title: Director I 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Housekeeping Svs 
Posting Number: 18973 
Closing Date: 10/14/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support 
Salary Range: $6,377.50 - $10,785.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location: Terrell Center for Youth 
Job Location City: TERRELL 
Job Location Address: 1200 E BRIN 
Other Locations: Terrell 
MOS Codes: 8003,8040,8041,8042,10C0,111X,112X,113X,114X,20C0,30C0,40C0,611X,612X,631X,641X,648X,90G0,91C0,91W0 
97E0,SEI15 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Director I, The Director of Residential Services (DRS) performs advanced (senior level) work overseeing the daily operations and delivery of quality direct care services provided at the assigned State Hospital (SH). Administers and directs all residential activities and campus coordination through proper deployment and competent work performance of psychiatric nursing assistants (PNAs) and other assigned staff.  Ensures direct care services are integrated with all other departments such as programming, nursing, and medical to provide optimal treatment to the individuals residing at the SH on a continuous basis (24/7). Develops and oversees plans which ensure that the structure, staffing and operations of all residential services and activities meets the direct care needs of the individuals served. Develops policies, procedures and guidelines for the residential services department. Develops, schedules, and prioritizes standards and processes for achieving established goals.  Oversees development and implementation of corrective action plans (CAPs) and other reports. Directs, oversees and approves a process for staff scheduling for residential/direct care operations. Ensures that care, treatment, training, and support activities are completed and documented, in collaboration with other disciplines. Proactively identifies issues and provides solutions.  Responds to crisis/emergency situations and takes immediate action to resolve the issue(s).   Oversees development and implementation of plans of correction and quality improvement plans and prepares required reports.  Ensures the implementation of SH facility leadership directives. Hires, develops, plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others. Serves on and/or chairs multiple committees and work groups.  Models for coaches assigned staff to build their supervisory and leadership skills. Works under limited supervision of the Superintendent with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs related work as assigned.  Serves as Administrator on Duty as needed and serves and is on call as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include 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. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

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.

Provides leadership to and directs the direct care activities and business functions of the residential services department at the SH to ensure 24/7 treatment and services.  Through subordinate managers, ensures PNAs are following guidelines and specific instructions pertaining to individuals support, treatments, and care. Responds to and manages crisis/emergency situations impacting safe facility operations. Takes immediate action to avoid dangerous situations involving individuals, staff and/or environmental issues. Instructs subordinate staff on actions to take, leads root cause analysis discussion and takes proactive measures to avoid similar situations in the future. Works collaboratively with other department leads such as in the areas of nursing services, programming, and medicine to ensure sufficient staff to provide robust program and services.

Supervises the work of the PNA Vs and other assigned staff based upon SH 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.  Oversees the services provided by the PNAs.  Ensures collaborations with all departments to systematically evaluate the consistent implementation of plans, programs, activities and services provided through personal observation, staff interviews, and review of documentation.

Establishes goals for the residential services department that are consistent with the SHs Superintendent’s vision and strategic plan.  Develops objectives which promote a team driven approach, ensure residential/direct care services are integrated with other program services, and provide a safe and trauma informed environment where individuals can reach their full potential. Develops policies, procedures and guidelines for the residential services department.

Directs, oversees, and approves a process for proper scheduling to ensure adequate supervision 24/7 based upon levels of supervision and to ensure integrated services, programming, and activities for individuals.  As needs arise, provides consultation, guidance and support to house supervisors to make adjustments to the schedule for coverage of the campus.  Oversees allocation of staff resources, adjusting staffing assignments to units/shifts based on current needs.  Monitors staffing issues such as turnover, retention, and use of overtime, and takes action to improve these areas.

Ensures the residential/direct care services department is focused on continuous process improvement. Proactively identifies issues and provides solutions. Identifies areas of needed change and develops recommendations to improve operations.  Takes proactive steps to determine potential issues and communicates those, along with suggestions for solutions, to facility leadership.  Executes directives given by the superintendent, ensuring they are communicated effectively to psychiatric nursing assistants.  Utilizes work time effectively to ensure that assignments are completed in a thorough and timely manner.

Oversees the analysis, implementation, and documentation of HHSC and SH policies, and monitors compliance with policies and procedures. Provides technical guidance for staff within the department or facilitates getting that guidance from another subject matter expert.  Ensures residential services staff are trained on policy changes.  Maintains a physical presence on the units to oversee residential services and to ensure optimal quality of life for individuals residing at the SH. Provides feedback to facility leadership of their findings.  Interacts with individuals residing on campus in an emotionally supportive and therapeutic manner to model and provide an environment of caring, dignity and respect. 

Reviews and approves required reports such as daily shift reports, on/off campus outing reports, shift reports, environmental audit reports, vacancy status reports and monthly reports on the status of corrective action and quality improvement initiatives.  Oversees the preparation of departmental reports before submission to Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QA/QI) council to ensure adequacy and usefulness of information. Analyzes staffing reports such as active employee/terminations reports, employee fill and turnover reports, and overtime reports to assess turnover, retention, use of overtime, and takes action to improve these areas.   Reviews special investigations involving staff where Abuse, Neglect and/or Exploitation (ANE) is asserted, as directed. Uses information contained to address both personnel and system issues and guides future CAPs and QIPs.  

Prepares for and responds to surveys and audits. Responds to requests for information.  Serves on and/or directs the work of committees and workgroups and other special projects as assigned.  Develops and implements corrective action plans (CAPs) including overseeing the establishment of goals and objectives, developing and approving schedules for work completion, setting priorities and standards for achieving goals; and manages CAP evaluation activities. Participates in state-wide initiatives to share best practices and develop process improvements.

Actively participates in and/or facilitates administrative review activities including Executive Committee, Incident Management Review, Administrative Review team, Critical Incident Team, and other special projects and committees assigned. Leads integrated team efforts for highly complex individuals to develop and implement effective service plans upon request. Participates in state-wide initiatives to share best practices and develop process improvements. Serves as Administrator on Duty as needed.

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 and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of Texas Administrative Code, HHSC policies and procedures related to State Hospitals

Knowledge of and experience in ensuring the provision of quality services, treatment, training and supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Skills in defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts, conducting a root cause analysis.

Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problem.

Skill in devising solutions to administrative problems.

Skill in coaching others to build capacity.

Skill in developing, implementing and evaluating administrative policies and procedures.

Skill in managing a large group of staff members through a chain of command.

Skills in staff scheduling and deployment at a residential facility.

Skills in using computers and agency/facility software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and SharePoint. 

Ability to manage business functions and activities of a large department.

Ability to establish goals and objectives.

Ability to effectively manage crisis/emergency situations.

Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.

Ability to and experience in developing comprehensive and effective quality assurance systems to measure operation of the residential services department.

Ability to organize and present information effectively, both in spoken and written word, to a wide variety of audiences.

Ability to analyze and solve complex problems and to make effective decisions affecting the overall operation of the facility.

Ability to manage time with considerable latitude for independent judgement.

Ability to maintain flexibility in work hours, which may require overtime or extended hours, and to be on-call in a rotating schedule.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and

Three (3) years of experience working with people with mental health or intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting, and

Two (2) years of experience leading, directing or managing multiple staff members.

OR

Ten (10) years of experience working with people with psychiatric, intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential or inpatient setting, and 

Two (2) years of experience leading, directing or managing multiple staff members.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

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.