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Functional Title: Director of Residential Services 
Job Title: Director I - DRS 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Client Services Administration 
Posting Number: 13079 
Closing Date: 02/20/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26 
Salary Range: $7,583.33 - $10,785.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
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: Austin State Supported Living Center 
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 2203 W 35TH ST 
Other Locations:  
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:

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. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

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 Residential Services (DRS) performs advanced (senior level) and complex managerial duties to ensure the effective oversight and administration of the daily residential operations and activities at the State Supported Living Center (SSLC).  Administers and directs all residential programs and campus coordination through proper deployment and competent work performance of direct support professionals (DSPs) and other assigned staff.  Ensures residential programs are integrated with other services such as psychology/behavioral services, active treatment/vocational services and qualified intellectual disabilities services to provide optimal services to the individuals residing at the SSLC on a continuous basis (24/7). Develops and oversees plans which ensures that the structure, staffing and operations of all residential and program services conform to the conditions of participation for the facility as an Intermediate Care Facility serving persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID), the terms of the settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and all other relevant state and federal laws, rules and regulations.  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 operations.  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 SSLC leadership directives. Hires, develops, plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others. Serves on and/or chairs multiple committees and work groups.  Works under limited supervision of the Assistant Director of Programs (ADOP), 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.

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. [May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.]

Provides leadership to and directs the program activities and business functions of the residential services department at the SSLC to ensure 24/7 programs and services.  Through subordinate managers, ensures direct support professional are following guidelines and specific instructions pertaining to individual residents’ support, treatments, and care. Responds to and manages crisis/emergency situations impacting safe facility operations. Takes immediate action to avoid dangerous situations involving residents, 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 QIDP services, behavioral health/psychology, and active treatment/vocational services to ensure sufficient staff to provide robust program and services.

Supervises the work of the Unit Manager/Directors 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.  For SSLCs with a unit model, oversees the services provided by the behavioral health services staff, including positive behavior support plans, psychiatric support plans, counseling plans, skill acquisition plans, and crisis intervention plans.   Ensures Unit Managers/Directors collaborate with the Director of Behavior Health Services to systematically evaluate the consistent implementation of plans provided through personal observation, staff interviews, and review of documentation. For SSLCs with a unit model, reviews and coordinates the services provided by the Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) staff including the Individualized Support Plan (ISP) Preparation meeting, ISP Addendum meetings, and the Annual ISP. Ensures the Unit Managers/Director collaborates with the QIDP Coordinator to systematically evaluate the consistent implementation of programs, services, and plans for the individuals through review of documentation and outcomes.

Establishes goals for the residential services department that are consistent with the SSLC Director’s vision and strategic plan.   Develops objectives which promote a team driven approach, ensure residential services are integrated with other program services, and provide a safe and homelike environment where individuals can reach their full potential.  Ensures the residential services department is focused on continuous process improvement and compliance with the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement.  Proactively identifies issues and provides solutions.

Directs, oversees and approves a process for proper scheduling to ensure adequate supervision 24/7 based upon levels of supervision of individuals, and to ensure integrated services and programming for residents.  As needs arise, provides consultation, guidance and support to campus coordinators to make adjustments to the schedule for coverage of the campus.  Oversees allocation of staff resources, adjusting staffing assignments to homes/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 services department is focused on continuous process improvement and promotes compliance with the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement.  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 the ADOP and/or Director.  Executes directives given by the ADOP and/or SSLC Director, ensuring they are communicated effectively to direct support professionals and other line staff.  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 SSLC 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 homes/units to oversee residential services and to ensure optimal quality of life for individuals residing at the SSLC. Provides feedback to Unit Managers/Directors 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 annual survey and regulatory audits. Responds to requests for information.  Serves on and/or directs the work of committees and workgroups including QA/QI council, Incident Management Review Team, Administrative Review team, Critical Incident Team, and other special projects and committees 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.

Actively participates in and/or facilitates administrative review activities including Executive Management Team, Incident Management Review, Administrative Review team, Critical Incident Team, and other special projects and committees as 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.

(End) 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 Supported Living Centers, and the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement.

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

Skill in working with ICF/IID standards and applicable rules and laws.

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, implementation 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 function and activities of a large department.

Ability to establishing 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 intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting, and

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

OR

• Five (5) years of experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting, and

• Two (2) years’ 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 Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

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

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

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.