DHHS Program Specialist

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency

Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location:

Statewide, NE

Hiring Rate

$23.779

Job Posting

JR2025-00014476 DHHS Program Specialist (Evergreen) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a Program Specialist to join our Medicaid/CHIP Eligibility Policy team in the Medicaid and Long-Term Care Division.

This team is made up of dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate individuals who play a critical role in supporting the State’s Medicaid program. If you're passionate about policy development or public administration and want to make a meaningful impact for Nebraskans, apply today!

What We Offer

13 paid Holidays

Generous leave accruals that begin immediately

Military leave

156% match on retirement contributions

Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government

Tuition Reimbursement

Dependent tuition reimbursement program with partnering Nebraska community colleges

Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy

What We’re Looking For

The successful candidate will have experience in policy development or administration for Medicaid, CHIP, or other public health programs. A strong background in researching and analyzing federal and state regulations, policies, and healthcare laws is essential. The ideal candidate will also have a proven ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies and community groups. Exceptional communication skills are a must, as the role requires the ability to convey complex policy and regulatory information clearly and persuasively to various audiences.

Most importantly, the candidate should have a passion for improving healthcare access, services, and supports to Nebraskans through thoughtful policy development.

Examples of Work

Responsibilities and Job Duties of the Medicaid Policy team’s DHHS Program Specialist include:

• Research, analyze, and interpret federal/state regulations, laws, and policies to develop and maintain Medicaid policy for the State.
• Draft, develop, and implement policies and operational procedures for the Medicaid program to ensure staff, service providers, and beneficiaries are working with uniform guidelines for Medicaid eligibility and service coverage.
• Attend and participate in public hearings involving agency policy and procedure revisions.
• Write reports, position papers, legislative impact statements, regulations, state plan amendments, and other documents to formulate policy for the Medicaid program.
• Collaborate with other department staff and key stakeholders to develop and implement program policies and procedures.
• Explain, clarify, and interpret policies, operational procedures, and federal and state regulations related to Medicaid to other agency staff, community organizations, stakeholders, and members of the general public.
• Develop informational releases concerning program activities including memos, administrative bulletins, and informational pamphlets for distribution to agency staff, service providers/contractors, representatives of community organizations and/or members of the general public to create awareness of program services, enrollment procedures, policies, and authorizations.
• Establish and maintain relationships with state and federal governmental agencies and local community groups involved with program activities and functions; and
• Other tasks, as assigned.
  
  

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent coursework/training, in public administration, social/behavioral sciences, healthcare, human services or other program-related field. Professional experience working in a human/social service or health care agency with responsibility for planning or evaluating programs or operational policies and practices may substitute in lieu of the educational requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Medicaid and CHIP policy or other public benefit programs.
• Demonstrated proficiency in research and analysis of federal and state regulations, rules, and laws.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and persuasively.
  
  

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge of: federal and state Medicaid program regulations and laws; procedure and policy development; principles and techniques of planning, monitoring and evaluating human services programs and service delivery systems.

Skill in: interpreting and/or clarifying policy to interested groups; drafting and editing written documentation; conducting formal presentations to provide education and share information.

Ability to: work collaboratively in a team setting; understand, interpret and apply instructions, laws, rules, policies and procedures pertinent to the program; exercise independent critical thinking skills; plan, organize and direct a major program; analyze, develop and organize materials; establish and maintain positive relationships with agency staff, service providers/contractors, community organizations and clients; communicate electronically, on paper or in person to promote, explain, discuss, advise and interact with interested groups on various program issues and problems; prepare and review technical documents such as summaries of state and federal regulations, action plans, reports, contracts and grants; maintain liaison with community representatives and other governmental agencies.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.