Program Specialist VII

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

2d•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. The Program Specialist VII, under the direction of the Family Health Services (FHS), Thriving Texas Families (TTF) Director will provide strategic direction, planning, guidance, and technical assistance for program operations for TTF. This position works under minimal direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment and ensure all TTF policies and procedures adhere to and are in compliance with all HHSC and state contracting and procurement guidelines. The PS VII leads legislative and external stakeholder activities including bill analyses, media inquiries, open record requests, presentations, and implementation plans. May train, lead, assign, and/or prioritize the work of others. Formats, reviews, edits, and routes programmatic reports and related documents for FHS management approval. Assists in resolving technical problems and providing programmatic technical assistance. Assesses the effectiveness of program policies and develops recommendations to standardize or improve systems. Maintains records and information in accordance with division policy. Reviews and analyzes programmatic reports to ensure compliance with division, HHSC and statutory requirements. May represent the TTF Program at workgroups and with stakeholders. Advises the TTF Director on all current TTF programmatic activities and potential risks or issues related to program and policy, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position is also responsible for preparing and reviewing curricula, promotional materials, procurements, reports, grant applications, statutes, policies, and policy and procedure development.

Requirements

Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to make presentations and write technical and program information in a professional and understandable format.
Ability to interpret policies and develop effective operating procedures.
Skill in legislative analysis and policy research.
Knowledge of project management principles and ability to implement new initiatives.
Knowledge of Texas legislative process.
Knowledge of agency, state, and federal procurements, policies, procedures, and regulations.
Ability to independently coordinate and analyze necessary tasks.
Skill with developing and maintaining professional relationships;
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
Skill in identifying problems and evaluating solutions.
Skill in working collaboratively in a team manner with internal, and external stakeholders and agency leadership.
Ability to interact effectively with others;
Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations, agency, rules, policies, and procedures related to program activities;
Ability to organize and present information in a concise and effective manner.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Nice To Haves

Experience in policy development, researching, or evaluating HHSC social service programs, and bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintains program policies and prepares state reports.
Ensure that the program operates within state and Agency requirements.
Represents the agency to other HHS divisions, state agencies, the community, and professional groups, as directed, or other state agencies.
Keeps management informed of issues that may need to be escalated.
Resolves issues and provides clarification to HHSC departments in relation to program policies and procedures.
Assists with the coordination of program strategic planning and management activities to implement and monitor the program mission, vision and objectives including program risk mitigation.
Conducts regular evaluation of program activities to assist with the implementation of program improvements and makes recommendations for policy and program issues to implement program improvements and processes.
Consults with leadership to resolve problems, identify and develop training needs and engage in analysis and discussion of program evaluation and effectiveness.
Coordinates with Chief Public Affairs Office to compile, track, and respond to legislative, media inquiries and open record requests.
Prepares written state reports to include statistical data explanation of grantee performance outcomes.
Supervises staff on the collection and analysis of data and develops action plans and monitors program compliance with state reporting requirements.
Reviews Grantee curricula and promotions materials.
Other duties as assigned.