Program Specialist V

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Tyler, TX

47d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Specialist V provides advanced coordination, consultation, and technical assistance to DFPS program staff, HHSC purchasing staff, and external contractors. Work involves the management, oversight, and monitoring of contractual and program requirements for client services and administrative service contracts. This position is also responsible for conducting desk reviews and on-site monitoring reviews to determine compliance with terms, rules, policies, procedures, and applicable law. Routinely reviews and analyzes performance data to assess risk of contract and program non-compliance and determine trends by reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating contract deliverables (e.g., record reviews, financial reviews, policy and procedures, etc.). Conducts follow-up activities with internal program staff and external contractors to develop and report analysis of data regarding performance. At the conclusion of each on-site or desk review monitoring, presents a verbal summation of all areas of non-compliance and provides consultative services and technical assistance to contractor as well as develops a formal report of findings to be shared with contractor and DFPS internal staff. Participates in unit and cross-agency workgroups, functions, and planning. May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Two years full-time contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, training of contract providers, or Texas Department of Family and Protective Services experience.
• Knowledge of contracting regulations, accounting principles, negotiating contracts, developing contracts, monitoring contracts, and contract closeout processes.
• Knowledge of basic legal concepts related to contracting.
• Skills in operating personal computers and in using applicable software, including Microsoft products, i.e. MS Word, Excel.
• Ability to evaluate contracts and recommend future actions.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to evaluate fiscal and programmatic data for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity with contract requirements.
• Ability to write and edit correspondence, memoranda, contract requirements and specifications.
• Ability to negotiate features of a contract.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate contractor performance.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to lead or facilitate workgroups.
• Ability to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Contract Management - Responsible for leading all aspects of contract management to include: ongoing day-to-day management of the contract, monitoring contract performance, and closing contracts. Leads contract monitoring by administering the review and analysis of deliverables, the evaluation of fiscal data, the analysis of trending data, and managing compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Reviews and determines trends in vendor performance associated with contract compliance, federal/state policies, rules, and regulations. Conducts or leads ongoing monitoring of expenditure data to ensure adequate funding. Oversees the maintenance of contract documentation. Reviews contract management processes and procedures to recommend improvements for contract management.
• Solicitations, Renewals, Extensions, and Amendments - Leads DFPS activities for solicitations and changes to the contract, to include; overseeing the development of needs assessments for solicitation activities; managing the development of solicitations, contract renewals, extensions, and amendments; directs timeline development; leads the development of evaluation tools for bid responses. Serves as lead in contract negotiations managed by HHSC Procurement Officer, contract renewals, extensions, and amendments. Coordinates and oversees the work of other contract managers for the development of new contracts, extensions, and amendments.
• Communication - Provides consultation and technical assistance to program areas regarding contracting needs and processes. Leads first level contract resolution efforts regarding non-compliance issues and contractor concerns. Communicates with contractors verbally and in writing regarding extensions, renewals, and remedies associated with non-compliance. Leads or facilitates internal and external workgroups for solicitations and contract development.
• Training - Conducts training related to contract management processes and procedures. Provides technical assistance related to contracting and contract management processes.
• Billing - Administers the billing process for contractors by: review and analysis of invoices to ensure appropriate billing by the contractor; review and reconciliation of data for invoicing contractors; and, managing the payment process.

Benefits

• excellent health benefits
• special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program
• longevity pay
• generous paid leave
• access to the Wellness program
• lifetime retirement annuity
• Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees