The SNAP Outreach program is dedicated to raising awareness about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) across Texas communities. We work in partnership with community organizations to inform low-income households about SNAP's availability, eligibility requirements, and application procedures. Our goal is to empower individuals to access the benefits they need through self-service tools, ultimately fostering economic and personal self-sufficiency.
Your efforts will bring essential awareness and access to SNAP benefits, helping low-income households across Texas achieve economic stability. By fostering partnerships with community organizations, you will build a statewide network dedicated to supporting Texans in their journey toward self-sufficiency.
This position is not just a job; it's a calling to make a meaningful difference. Embrace this opportunity to lead, inspire, and transform lives through the impactful programs you will oversee.
The Program Specialist V position directly supports the SNAP Outreach Program within Community Engagement. The Program Specialist V works under minimal direction, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The ideal candidate will thrive in an environment that emphasizes innovation through new ideas, striving for excellence by taking pride in your work, embracing others’ differences as a source of strength, accomplishing more through partnership, leading by example, and learning for continuous improvement.
***This position has the ability to telework 100%***

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.
EJF1. Stakeholder relations and communication (30%)
Serves as a program liaison and subject matter expert (SME) for SNAP Outreach within the community access division of AES, supporting the successful execution of program design, goals, and initiatives. Provides comprehensive support and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on related activities and services targeting populations served by the program. This involves policy interpretation and application, serving as a subject matter expert on SNAP, and providing consultative services to potential stakeholders and management on program operations. Facilitates discussions with community leaders and members to identify barriers and develop plans to improve access to services. Conducts outreach with community- and faith-based leaders to assess their involvement with and barriers to SNAP Outreach and/or referral programs. Coordinates and conducts organizational studies of potential stakeholders, including reviewing systems and procedures. Additionally, engages with community and professional groups to coordinate, enhance, and foster interest in the program(s) and to secure support for its objectives.
EJF2. Policy support and legislative analysis (15%)
Assists with legislative analysis, data entry, and program evaluation projects as directed by the Supervisor, working independently and cross-functionally within a team. Develops policy documents, including federal waivers, state plan development and amendments, policy reports, and audit documents. Prepares high-quality briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, bill analysis, and memoranda for senior and executive management review and decision-making. Analyzes legislation to develop recommendations for policy in programmatic issues relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program funding. Ensures compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules, taking corrective action(s) as needed. Communicates or presents information to stakeholders, management, and legislative staff upon request. Completes the annual state plan and attends FNS meetings. Creates and maintains the Program’s standard operating procedures in collaboration with agency stakeholders. Monitors the grantee’s compliance with contracted activities and deliverables in partnership with internal stakeholders.
EJF3. Programmatic support (20%)
Provides support for the development and implementation of the awarded project, ensuring the collaborative functioning of any project partners, sub-recipients, or contractors. Serves as backup to the Program Specialist VII. Participates in committees or work groups regarding program area, new departmental statewide initiatives, and other projects as assigned. Documents program-related meetings by creating formal meeting agendas and minutes for distribution to attendees. Represents the SNAP Outreach/Community Engagement team on project-specific activities as needed. Plans, prioritizes, and performs various technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessments, and administrative activities for assigned program(s). Oversees service delivery, provides high-level technical assistance, and identifies efficiencies. Develops executive briefing documents, issue papers, and memoranda for executive decision-making. Monitors required administrative and performance reports, studies, and specialized projects, recommending appropriate changes to programs. Collaborates with public and private agencies to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness. Oversees the administrative aspects of federal awards and prepares program budget requests. Provides quality assurance and technical assistance to contractors. Performs other assigned duties based on program and business needs.
EJF4. Programmatic Monitoring (30%)
Monitors required performance reports, compliance with program policies, procedures, statutes, and rules for SNAP Outreach, and service delivery system methods, outputs, activities, and trends. Reviews operations and problems, prepares reports of findings and recommendations, and justifies procedural or policy changes. Collects, organizes, analyzes, and/or prepares materials in response to requests for program information and reports. Evaluates research findings relative to specific projects. Reviews program area functions and operations, identifies areas needing change, and develops improvement plans. Tracks progress toward program goals and objectives, conducts site visits or inspections, and oversees the timely completion of program reports. Analyzes program data and prepares reports for internal and external stakeholders, collaborating with finance and accounting teams to ensure accurate financial management
EJF5. Perform other duties as assigned based on program and business needs (5%).

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
N/A

Initial Selection Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.
Experience researching, interpreting, and analyzing complex federal and state policies and legislation.
Three years or more experience in developing/analyzing business rules and requirements.
Experience with legislative processes preferred.
Three years or more work and experience working with Health and Human Services programs is preferred.