Program Specialist VII

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

2d•$5,798 - $9,508•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Specialist VII (PS VII) performs highly advanced customer service, training development, and technical assistance work under the direction of the Manager of the Center for Information and Training (CIT) within the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) section of the Provider Finance Department (PFD). CIT provides customer service, training, and stakeholder outreach related to LTSS rates, cost reports, and other LTSS financial inquiries. The PS VII serves as the CIT team’s senior analyst and team lead. The PS VII will design, implement, and deliver effective and engaging web-based training for LTSS Medicaid and non-Medicaid cost reporting. The position composes, reviews, and edits technical documents, materials, and reports. The PS VII will independently plan, develop, and release timely, accurate, and high-quality documentation and workflows. The PS VII serves as backup to the CIT Manager for escalated communications with Medicaid and non-Medicaid providers, cost report preparers, and other external stakeholders. This position contributes to the department’s rate-setting activities by leading public hearing processes and drafting or reviewing/approving communications or other documents. The PS VII may make assignments and prioritize workload for other CIT team members. The PS VII may monitor the work of others to ensure compliance with project timelines. The position may conduct legislative analysis to identify programmatic issues or concerns and assist with assigned implementation plans for passed legislation. The PS VII works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Establishes short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals and objectives; develops policies and procedures; schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals. Coordinates and evaluates program activities and supports legislative inquiries. Completes performance evaluations and handles human resource matters for staff. Reviews, develops, and implements policies, regulations, guidelines, agency rules, and state plan amendments as needed. Identifies needed areas of change and oversees the development of alternative strategies and recommendations. This position works closely with key internal and external decision-makers, providing timely, accurate, and well-communicated information that is needed to effectively plan, allocate, implement, and control programs, services, and staffing levels to achieve the goals and objectives consistent with the agency's strategic plan.

Requirements

Skill in developing training materials and facilitating virtual or in-person training.
Skill in reviewing technical documents for accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
Ability to communicate complex financial or policy information to varied audiences.
Ability to coordinate high-priority assignments with competing deadlines.
Knowledge of Medicaid programs, cost reporting, rate setting, or provider finance operations.
Ability to manage projects effectively, including setting priorities and planning, organizing, and coordinating the work of others.
Ability to develop, evaluate, implement, and interpret policies, procedures, and rules.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement creative solutions.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, set priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to shifting technical and political developments.
6+ months of team lead experience or 2+ years of state agency experience involving customer service, training delivery, or training development.
Demonstrated experience developing or delivering customer service, stakeholder communications, technical assistance, or virtual/in-person training.
Experience with the techniques and methods of planning, organizing, and writing various types of materials; research methodology; and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred.
Relevant experience in Provider Finance, state government, health and human services, finance, communications, training, or a related field may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Experience with Learning Management System preferred.

Responsibilities

Develops, reviews, and maintains LTSS cost reporting training materials, worksheets, and related resources.
Oversees mandatory web-based training modules in the State of Texas Electronic Provider System (STEPS).
Researches and shares best practices for organizing and presenting information.
Coordinates with LTSS PFD teams, policy and program areas, regulatory staff, and the cost report system contractor to ensure templates and system back-end edits align with current program, service delivery, and LTSS PFD cost reporting requirements.
Coordinates communication and outreach with PFD staff, Medicaid providers, cost report preparers, provider industry representatives, HHS Enterprise staff, legal staff, advisory committees, workgroups, and other interested parties on LTSS PFD policies, rates, rate enhancement and add-on rates, rate-setting processes, cost reporting requirements, vendor holds, recoupments, and contract terminations.
Oversees responses to provider inquiries by email, phone, and virtual or in-person meetings, as needed.
Drafts mass communications, GovDelivery notices, and informational letters.
Communicates complex information to internal and external stakeholders to provide, exchange, or verify information; answer inquiries; address issues; and resolve problems or complaints.
Develops and maintains LTSS PFD communication plans, templates, provider FAQs, communication tracking processes, and website content.
Assigns and prioritizes tasks for team members, reviews peer work for accuracy, and coordinates with project teams and HHSC areas to identify shared responsibilities and align priorities for projects, communications, and training.
Evaluates team processes and recommends improvements.
Oversees, reviews, and approves written communications, briefing materials, and other LTSS PFD documents for PFD senior leadership and executive decision-making.
Coordinates with Provider Finance Department Quality Review staff to ensure documents follow HHSC style guidelines and approval timelines.
Presents information to varied audiences, including HHSC executive staff.
Supports LTSS PFD rate-setting and rulemaking activities by ensuring public notices, web postings, and related communications are accurate, timely, and compliant with state and federal requirements.
Leads LTSS PFD public rate and rule hearings, summarizes public testimony, drafts rate authorization notices, information letters, managed care organization notices, and other rate implementation communications, and maintains accurate LTSS fee schedule information on the LTSS website.
Assists management and other section teams with projects and related activities, as needed.