Community Mental Health Grant Program Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

9d•$5,099 - $8,305•Hybrid

About The Position

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: Community Mental Health Grant Program Specialist Job Title: Program Specialist VI Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: BH-Adult Mental Health Svcs Posting Number: 17947 Closing Date: 06/29/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Telework: Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 5% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Facility Location: Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST Other Locations: MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS Brief Job Description: The Program Specialist VI performs advanced, senior-level coordination, implementation, and technical assistance work related to grants, including the Community Mental Health Grant Program. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Mental Health Grant Programs and Special Projects Director in the Adult, Crisis, & Forensic (ACF) Mental Health Services unit. Responsible for assisting with the overall administration of grant programs including serving as the primary programmatic point of contact for grantees. Monitors grantee progress related to meeting programmatic performance metrics and outcomes. Assists in developing systems, processes, procedures, and forms related to grant administration. Assists in developing and coordinating informational documents related to grant program. Provides technical assistance to grantees and identifies opportunities for training. Coordinates with internal agency and external representatives as needed. Strong writing skills and attention to detail required. Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 20% - Responsible for assisting with the overall administration of grants including the Community Mental Health Grant Program. Responsible for day-to-day management of grant projects and monitoring projects’ progress toward meeting performance outcomes, and for oversight of grantee progress related to project expenditures on an ongoing and consistent basis. Tracks, collects, and analyzes monthly and quarterly expenditure and performance data and information submitted by grantee organizations to determine progress. 20% - Participates in the development and implementation of program systems, processes, procedures, and forms to ensure success of grant projects and improvement. Coordinates with internal and external representatives to develop and implement quality assurance processes; identifies program areas needing change and makes recommendations for improvement. Provides guidance to internal and external representatives regarding grant program, policies, procedures, and best practices related to grant administration. 20% - Routinely provides timely and accurate technical assistance and appropriate troubleshooting to internal and external representatives. Consults with grant recipients to provide assistance related to grant management, project implementation, budget development, invoices, and supporting documentation. Consults with grantees to identify opportunities for relevant grantee training. Oversees development and implementation of trainings. 15% - Coordinates and represents the grant program the development of procurement and contracting activities related to grants, including the Community Mental Health Grant Program including solicitations such as Needs and Capacity Assessments, Request for Proposals and Request for Applications and solicitation development, planning meetings, and timelines. Ensures programs adhere to applicable state and federal grant and contracting requirements, and agency policy and procedures. 15% - Drafts and coordinates information and communication related to the grant program including legislative responses and reports, public presentations, correspondence, and memoranda for internal and external representatives. Represents program at meetings as directed, attends conferences, and briefs leadership. 10% - Coordinates with appropriate program and agency staff to conduct grant program and grant project compliance and risk assessment activities and to implement correction action or recommendations. Consults with internal agency representatives to ensure program compliance with applicable requirements, regulations, policies and procedures. Escalates issues in a timely manner to unit director. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of: Knowledge of Texas Health and Human Service Commission's policies and procedures. Knowledge of the Texas Resilience Recovery model in Texas, Utilization Management Guidelines, and evidence-based practices. Knowledge of the Medicaid system in Texas. Knowledge of state and federal grant administration practices and regulations including Uniform Grant Management Standards and 2 CFR Part 200. Knowledge of office equipment, computers, Windows Operating System, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Internet. Knowledge of accounting procedures and methods, and the ability to apply them to difficult or complex transactions. Skill in: Skill in communication including the effective organization and presentation of information, both orally and in writing. Skill in preparing written analyses and administrative reports and special projects as assigned. Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail. Ability to: Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines. Ability to set priorities and complete assignments on time. Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines. Ability to prepare financial and accounting records. Ability to analyze, consolidate, and interpret accounting data. Ability to evaluate and monitor contractor performance and provide recommendations. Ability to deal effectively with state and local officials and the public. Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations, agency rules, policies and procedures related to contracts. Ability to evaluate financial data for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity to contract requirements. Ability to compile, organize, interpret, and communicate accounting data and results in a concise format. Ability to make independent and sound technical judgment and to analyze new situations when they are encountered. Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: N/A Initial Screening Criteria: Required: Bachelor's degree and experience working for a large human services organization Preferred: Advanced degree; 4 or more years work experience within a Texas organization; work experience in Behavioral Health Services or other HHSC department. Additional Information: N/A 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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Experience working for a large human services organization
Knowledge of Texas Health and Human Service Commission's policies and procedures.
Knowledge of the Texas Resilience Recovery model in Texas, Utilization Management Guidelines, and evidence-based practices.
Knowledge of the Medicaid system in Texas.
Knowledge of state and federal grant administration practices and regulations including Uniform Grant Management Standards and 2 CFR Part 200.
Knowledge of office equipment, computers, Windows Operating System, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Internet.
Knowledge of accounting procedures and methods, and the ability to apply them to difficult or complex transactions.
Skill in communication including the effective organization and presentation of information, both orally and in writing.
Skill in preparing written analyses and administrative reports and special projects as assigned.
Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines.
Ability to set priorities and complete assignments on time.
Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines.
Ability to prepare financial and accounting records.
Ability to analyze, consolidate, and interpret accounting data.
Ability to evaluate and monitor contractor performance and provide recommendations.
Ability to deal effectively with state and local officials and the public.
Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations, agency rules, policies and procedures related to contracts.
Ability to evaluate financial data for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity to contract requirements.
Ability to compile, organize, interpret, and communicate accounting data and results in a concise format.
Ability to make independent and sound technical judgment and to analyze new situations when they are encountered.
Strong writing skills and attention to detail required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree
4 or more years work experience within a Texas organization
Work experience in Behavioral Health Services or other HHSC department.

Responsibilities

Assisting with the overall administration of grants including the Community Mental Health Grant Program.
Serving as the primary programmatic point of contact for grantees.
Monitoring grantee progress related to meeting programmatic performance metrics and outcomes.
Developing systems, processes, procedures, and forms related to grant administration.
Developing and coordinating informational documents related to grant program.
Providing technical assistance to grantees and identifying opportunities for training.
Coordinating with internal agency and external representatives as needed.
Managing day-to-day grant projects and monitoring progress toward meeting performance outcomes.
Overseeing grantee progress related to project expenditures.
Tracking, collecting, and analyzing monthly and quarterly expenditure and performance data submitted by grantee organizations.
Participating in the development and implementation of program systems, processes, procedures, and forms.
Coordinating with internal and external representatives to develop and implement quality assurance processes.
Identifying program areas needing change and making recommendations for improvement.
Providing guidance to internal and external representatives regarding grant program, policies, procedures, and best practices.
Providing timely and accurate technical assistance and troubleshooting to internal and external representatives.
Consulting with grant recipients to provide assistance related to grant management, project implementation, budget development, invoices, and supporting documentation.
Consulting with grantees to identify opportunities for relevant grantee training.
Overseeing development and implementation of trainings.
Coordinating and representing the grant program in the development of procurement and contracting activities.
Ensuring programs adhere to applicable state and federal grant and contracting requirements, and agency policy and procedures.
Drafting and coordinating information and communication related to the grant program including legislative responses and reports, public presentations, correspondence, and memoranda.
Representing program at meetings as directed, attending conferences, and briefing leadership.
Coordinating with appropriate program and agency staff to conduct grant program and grant project compliance and risk assessment activities.
Implementing correction action or recommendations.
Consulting with internal agency representatives to ensure program compliance with applicable requirements, regulations, policies and procedures.
Escalating issues in a timely manner to unit director.