Program Specialist

Program Specialist VI
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks highly qualified candidates to fill the Program Specialist VI position with the Office of Access and Eligibility Services (AES). AES is driven by its mission to connect Texans to services by helping individuals and families in need of food, medical care, cash assistance and other social services. Under the direction of the Associate Commissioner for Access & Eligibility (AES) performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative and professional assistance work. Duties include assisting with and acting as a liaison in planning, developing and implementing major initiatives for process improvement, organizational improvement, strategic/operational planning and other quality initiatives. Work involves high level, responsible administrative support as it relates to the agency’s administrative, legislative, legal, planning, staffing, budgetary, and fiscal activities. Serves as administrative liaison across the HHS System programs and operations staff, and coordinates activities to achieve organizational objectives. Researches, analyzes, and evaluates complex issues and initiatives. Leads or participates in internal/external workgroups and meetings to develop, implement, oversee and evaluate initiatives to improve quality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of the Associate Commissioner services. Prepares written project updates, summaries, studies, briefings, reports, plans, bill analyses, cost/benefit analyses, and other documents. May train, lead, assign, and/or prioritize the work of others. Work is performed under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Provides technical assistance and coordinates activities among division directors, section managers and program staff in identifying issues and opportunities and facilitates appropriate action. (30%)
Serves as a liaison to other departments assuring coordination of policies and procedures. (15%)
Provides consultative services and technical assistance to identify, develop and implement techniques for evaluating and monitoring effectiveness of programs and services within the of AES division. (10%)
Identifies and clarifies issues in implementing program design. (10%)
Composes and prepares project updates, summaries, studies, briefings, reports, plans, bill analyses/impact statements, cost/benefit analyses, and other complex documents. (10%)
Communicates on a complex level with others (internally and/or externally) to provide
exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, and/or resolve
problems/issues. (10%)
Delivers executive and other briefings and presentations to
internal/external groups. (5%)
Leads or participates in workgroups and meetings related to the Associate Commissioner business area functions and activities. (5%)
Assists in managing various projects and special assignments, including coordination, negotiation and assessment of impact, e.g., redesign of program/support areas (5%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of health and human service programs. Knowledge of program planning and
implementation. Skill in building and maintaining effective work relationships. Skill in
identifying measures or indicators of program performance. Skill in operating computers and applicable software. Ability to work with deadlines and sensitive, confidential information. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts. Ability to devise solutions to problems. Ability to prepare and write concise reports. Ability to evaluate policies and procedures. Ability to assign and plan the work of others. Ability to express oneself clearly orally and in writing. Ability to multitask and prioritize work. Ability to plan, organize, assign, and monitor work. Ability to make decisions and solve problems. Ability to analyze complex issues and develop plans for preventing problems.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

N/A

Initial Selection Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in business administration or related field. Five or more years of advanced administrative support management. Experience in health and human services programs. Experience in working with executive management. Experience preparing administrative reports, studies, or specialized programs and projects. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Additional Information:

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is committed to hiring veterans and creating a work environment that values and retains the skills that service members bring to the job. A veteran is an individual who has served in *the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps of the United States or the United States Public Health Service under 42 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq., as amended; *the Texas military forces as defined by Section 437.001 of Texas Government Code; or *an auxiliary service of one of those branches of the armed forces; and *has been honorably discharged from the branch of the service in which the person served. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx. VETERANS: Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor’s Office by pasting this link into your browser: http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx. For more information on military occupational specialty codes, see the Military Crosswalk Guide.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form
– Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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.