Program Specialist VII

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The PSVII performs highly advanced (senior-level) work with extensive latitude for initiative and must perform under minimal supervision. This position leads the implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives involving financial, grant, and data coordination/analysis for Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Contract Payment Area. Primary duties include overseeing and managing the financial components of multiple complex state and federal programs and grants, fiscal reporting, and oversight. This position is responsible for managing and coordinating multiple payment systems, identifying and resolving complex issues, ensuring the integrity of financial records across multiple contracting and payment platforms, and coordinating activities to mitigate risks and ensure fiscal compliance. Work involves providing highly advanced consultative and technical services. The PSVII leads the implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives and responds to internal and external inquiries and requests. This position works closely with Business Operations, Program Subject Matter Experts (SME) and other partners to develop and maintain structures that support accurate, timely, and compliant contract budgets and payments. The PSVII proactively update tracking systems, and ensure budget rosters are accurate, in compliance with agency policy, and in alignment with all funding requirements. A strong understanding of state and federal regulations involving mental health and substance use service delivery and grant management standards are essential.

Requirements

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, policies, rules, and requirements, and specific knowledge of local, state, and federal laws relating to the mental health and substance use contract payments
• Knowledge of business processes and process improvement
• Knowledge of State government organization, administration, management, and operating practices
• Knowledge of computer software applications
• Skill in effective project management
• Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution
• Skill in analyzing/interpreting large and complex financial data sets, and writing complex documents/reports, policies, and procedures
• Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities
• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and effectively to individuals at all levels both internal and external to the organization
• Ability to build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups and entities
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts/data/systems/financial information
• Ability to establish goals and objectives while working independently and delivering results in an environment of complex organizational interactions and competing demands on staff resources
• Ability to make independent and sound technical decisions and analyze new situations when encountered
• Ability to learn and use sophisticated software/applications as necessary to successfully perform duties and assignments
• Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, as well as, agency rules, and policies in the development of guidelines, policies, and procedures
• Ability to organize workload and set priorities
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred. However, every one (1) year of experience in contract fiscal monitoring and oversight may substitute for the completion of one (1) year of college or university.
• Experience with state and federal laws and regulations and agency policies and procedures related to human services programs and fiscal requirements.
• Expereince working with categorical budgets, program expenditure/invoice approvals, expenditure tracking, analysis, and fiscal reconciliations.
• Experience managing complex prorgrammatic and financial information and resolving related issues.
• Experience communicating verbally and in writing with staff at all levels of an organization and providing technical assistance to internal and external providers.

Responsibilities

• Gathers financial data requirements, analyzes existing reports and data for completeness and accuracy and promptly resolve issues.
• Performs ongoing qualitative and quantitative analyses as it relates to budgets and expenditures for HHSC BHS including development of financial spreadsheets and analysis for state and federal reporting.
• Monitors the financial performance of grantees and state programs for BHS programs.
• Oversees BHSMS, Grant Management System (GMS) and CAPPS Financial expenditure activities and reporting.
• Identifies and resolves complex errors and recommends corrective actions to mitigate risk and ensure financial compliance.
• Responsible for developing and implementing the financial reporting to effectively monitor and track program and provider budgets, contract encumbrances, and expenditures across multiple programs.
• Participates in the maintenance of financial infrastructure to track and reconcile expenditures.
• Participates in the update of comprehensive contract funding logs and rosters to provide a baseline for funding data.
• Ensures alignment between contract requirements and financial records and contributes to audit readiness and reconciliation activities.
• Develops, implements, and maintains new financial and expenditure reports for program staff, contract managers, and senior leadership.
• Establishes policies and procedures related to these financial reports.
• Collaborates with Business Operations and fiscal units to support accurate reporting.
• Analyzes and resolves disputes involving budget errors and unallowable program expenditures.
• Tracks issues that require withholding payment due to unsupported or ineligible program costs and identifies trends to mitigate risks.
• Recommends and coordinates recoupment of funds.
• Provides expert-level technical assistance, training, guidance in support of internal/external stakeholder and responds to inquiries.
• Develops and shares documentation and tools to ensure compliance with state and agency financial processes and policies and procedures.
• Engages in ongoing process improvement and implementation of new initiatives.
• Develops and updates area policies and standard operating procedures, including developing documents and templates for current and future process and procedures.
• Duties include facilitation of meetings and work groups, statewide conference calls, and representation of BHS at internal and public meetings.
• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy andperforms other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level