Budget Specialist

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

1d • $4,523 - $5,889

About The Position

The Budget Specialist works under the Resource Coordination Team Budget Manager in the Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR), performing basic budget and administrative tasks. The role supports preparation and submission of federal grant and cooperative agreement applications, including internal reviews for compliance with federal and state requirements. It serves as a liaison among CHEPR staff, Procurement Contracting Services (PCS), and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) purchasing, and provides staff with technical assistance and guidance. The specialist resolves procurement and operational issues, manages CHEPR requisitions and workflow approvals, and helps ensure grant fiscal activities follow federal cooperative agreement and agency guidelines. The position also supports CHEPR Continuity of Operations during emergency activation and may serve in the State Medical Operations Center or State Operations Center.

Requirements

• One year of experience with state and federal purchasing requirements, including CAPPS Financials and Reporting.
• One year of experience processing requisition entry for purchase order requests.
• One year of experience managing multiple projects.
• Knowledge of program development and management practices.
• Knowledge of agency rules and processes for procurement and purchasing.
• Knowledge of applicable agency and federal policies and procedures.
• Skill in developing policies and procedures.
• Skill in written and verbal communication.
• Skill in creative problem solving.
• Skill in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• Ability to develop and implement effective monitoring techniques.
• Ability to provide effective consultation and technical assistance.
• Ability to manage program activities.
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and coordinate assignments.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting the preparation, review, and submission of federal grant or cooperative agreement applications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between CHEPR staff and Procurement Contracting Services, providing technical assistance and guidance on program procurements and resolving issues.
• Process and manage CHEPR requisitions and workflow approvals, and liaise with HHSC purchasing to resolve procurement issues.
• Oversee invoice completion, payments, and approvals; coordinate with program staff and DSHS accounts payable.
• Monitor purchase order funds and recommend appropriate changes.
• Develop administrative and technical reports, including resource utilization and program activity reports.
• Determine spending trends and resolve program operational issues.
• Assist in verifying cooperative agreement funding availability in federal systems.
• Develop and implement strategies, action plans, timelines, and schedules to help programs and teams meet goals, objectives, and deadlines.
• Participate in cross-functional workgroups within the Center and DSHS.
• Evaluate federal-directed grant guidance with Resource Coordination Team members and help ensure deliverables are completed on time.
• Help ensure grant fiscal activities meet federal cooperative agreement and agency guidelines.
• Assist with cooperative agreement proposals, funding redirection requests, and funding carry-forward requests.
• Complete or direct day-to-day assignments related to Center Cooperative Agreements.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for routine tasks such as requisition entry and invoice payments.
• Manage Center cellular phones, including procurement, assignments, and tracking.
• Support CHEPR Continuity of Operations during emergency activation and/or serve as a staff member in the State Medical Operations Center or State Operations Center.

Benefits

• Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed