HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST

State of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

16d

About The Position

The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others. The DHS Program Specialist will function as a Transition Coordinator. This position helps patients navigate their care during a transition from a facility back home into the community. The primary responsibility is to ensure a smooth and safe transition, coordinating care, addressing patient needs, and facilitating access to HCBS waiver resources. The Health Program Specialist is responsible for the development, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of public health programs designed to address specific health issues or populations across Arkansas. This position supports state efforts to improve community health through evidence-based program strategies, stakeholder engagement, and interagency collaboration.

Requirements

Strong understanding of public health principles, population health, and program development cycles.
Ability to analyze and interpret health data, epidemiological reports, and demographic trends.
Proficient in preparing clear and accurate program reports, policy documents, and grant submissions.
Experience working with data systems, spreadsheets, and digital tools (e.g. Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, or program-specific software).
Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging for professional, public, and diverse audiences.
A bachelor’s degree in public health, health science, social work, education, public administration, or a closely related field is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with the elderly and/or persons with developmental impairment or disability.
Quality assurance experience.
Case management experience and strong ability to problem-solve.
Experience working with Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and various Medicaid waivers.

Responsibilities

Assessment and Planning
Care Coordination
Discharge Planning
Resource Navigation
Patient and Family Education
Communication and Collaboration with various entities
Case Management Record Keeping and Documentation
Follow-up and Evaluation of Program Participants
Plan, develop, and coordinate public health programs to address key health concerns such as chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health, environmental health, infectious disease control, injury prevention, or health promotion.
Evaluate program effectiveness using health data, performance metrics, and community feedback; adjust goals and strategies as needed to improve outcomes.
Develop educational materials, outreach tools, and technical guidance for community partners, stakeholders, and the public.
Prepare reports, grant applications, and program summaries in accordance with agency, state, and federal requirements.
Collaborate with internal departments, local health units, schools, nonprofits, and other governmental agencies to coordinate service delivery and leverage resources.
Maintain accurate, organized records of program activities, expenditures, outcomes, and evaluations.
Conduct community outreach and represent the agency at public events, health fairs, advisory meetings, or legislative briefings as needed.
Ensure that all program activities are conducted in compliance with public health laws, grant conditions, and departmental policy.
Respond to inquiries from the public or partners regarding program information and resources.