DHHS Program Specialist
About The Position
The Program Specialist plays a critical role in shaping and strengthening statewide health and human services programs. Working with a high level of independence, this position leads the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of programs that directly impact individuals, families, and communities. Serving as a trusted resource and consultant, the Program Specialist provides expert guidance and technical assistance to agency staff, service providers, and clients. This role blends policy development, program oversight, and quality assurance to ensure services are effective, compliant, and responsive to community needs. Through research, analysis, and collaboration, the Program Specialist helps drive continuous improvement and meaningful outcomes across the state.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent coursework/training, in public administration, social/behavioral sciences, healthcare, human services, or other program related field.
- Professional experience working in a human/social service or health care agency with responsibility for planning or evaluation services, programs or operational policies and practices may substitute in lieu of the educational requirement.
- Communicate verbally and written in a professional efficient manner.
- Work collaboratively in a team setting and maintain positive relationships with agency staff, providers, and community organizations.
- Must be able to read legal documents and understand regulations.
- Exercise independent critical thinking skills, prioritize and multi-task while maintaining accuracy.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Medicaid or HCBS programs, writing federal funding requests, and continuous quality improvement systems.
- Knowledge and/or experience with delivery of home and community-based services or in serving vulnerable populations.
- Knowledge: Principles and practices of HCBS service delivery; procedures and policy development; methods and techniques of program planning; federal and state laws, rules, regulations and procedures pertaining to health and human service programs; public funds and budgeting methods; quality assurance mechanism; principles and techniques of planning, monitoring and evaluating human service programs and service delivery systems.
- Skills: Interpreting and/or clarifying policy to interested groups; conducting formal presentations to provide education and share information.
- Ability: Communicate verbally and written in a professional efficient manner.
Responsibilities
- Plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate program activities to oversee the operational and technical functions of services delivery.
- Draft and implement policies, procedures, and program regulations to ensure consistent application across staff and service providers.
- Participate in public and administrative hearings that involve policy and procedure revisions.
- Research, analyze, and interpret federal regulations, state statutes, and other states’ laws, regulations, and policies to recommend appropriate changes to Nebraska policies and procedures.
- Prepare reports, position papers, impact statements, and related documents to formulate policy material by conducting research and meeting with department staff, agency representatives and health and/or developmental disabilities service stakeholders.
- Serve on committee, boards, councils and/or advisory groups
- Prepare, present and explain practices, policies, procedures, and program activities to agency staff, service providers, community organizations, and the public.
- Establish best practice and make recommendations to agency staff for quality program service delivery.
- Other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life.
- Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status.
- For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
101-250 employees
