Contract Specialist III

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.

Brief Job Description:

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks highly qualified candidates to fill the Contract Specialist III position

with Community Services (CS), Community Care Services (CCS), Community Care Services Contracts (CCSC) Section. HHSC is driven

by its mission statement “We Serve Texas.” The ideal candidate will thrive in an environment that emphasizes fidelity to our mission,

collegiality to internal and external stakeholders, nurturing talent within our team, open and transparent communication, and agility to

adapt quickly to challenges and changes.

This position performs highly complex (senior-level) contract management work including contract enrollment, maintenance, and

monitoring. Work involves developing and evaluating a broad range of contracts. Supervises the work of others. Works under limited

supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Provides orientation and technical assistance on

program rules and policies to contractors. Develops, negotiates, and processes contracts and amendments for community care services

programs. Conducts monitoring of contract performance including service delivery and fiscal monitoring. Participates in State Office of

Administrative Hearings (SOAH). Develops, implements, and monitors corrective actions and/or sanctions. Investigates and validates

individual, community and department staff complaints relating to contract performance. Interprets and clarifies standards, policies and

procedures to improve program operation and performance. Reviews contractor billings and resolves billing rejections, problems, and/or

issues.

This position handles relatively complex contract applications and assist with projects. This position provides information and technical

assistance to contract staff. Identifies training needs, assists with development of training materials and provides training to contract or

department staff to enhance performance, correct non-compliance issues, provide consistency and improve quality of services to

individuals.

This position will carry out special assignments as required by the unit manager. Provides oversight and directs the work of others. May

participate in SOAH as the subject matter expert. May be assigned supervisory duties.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (EJF):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as

assigned. Must also perform other duties as assigned and necessary.

EJF1

Identifies the need for service providers and takes appropriate action(s). Participates in work groups to make recommendations to

change contract-related documents. Monitors legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to contracting. Handles routine

reporting activities and special projects/tasks internal/external to the unit as assigned. Provides orientation and technical

assistance on program rules and policies to contractors, stakeholders, internal HHSC staff and community.

(Percentage of Time Spent on Tasks = 30%)

EJF2

Prepares and maintains contract documents in accordance with policy and procedures. Assists with developing contract

administration policies and procedures. Initiates, develops, negotiates, processes and manages contracts, renewals and

amendments for community care services programs. Uploads required documents to HHSC contracts repository system.

(Percentage of Time Spent on Tasks = 10%)

EJF3

Completes all required pre-monitoring activities. Completes contractor screening criteria prior to formal monitoring to verify the

legal entity's business information and status. Reviews contractor history that includes reviewing the contractor’s HHSC licensure

status, regulatory compliance history, previous fiscal year expenditures and Adverse Action Review Committee (AARC) activity

since the previous monitoring to assess the contractor’s performance as applicable to the contract type. Prepares applicable

program and fiscal compliance monitoring tools, Monitoring Workbook and Individual Work Papers (IWP) by entering information

that is readily available, such as legal entity name, contract numbers, review dates, review periods, payment information, etc.

Prepares common forms that include entrance and exit conference forms. Pulls electronic visit verification (EVV) visit logs and

units of service tables and reviews for missing data. Sends inquiries to EVV Vendor or EVV Operations about missing data or

missing reports. Reviews COGNOS billing/payment report. Completes and sends the notice of Scheduled Contract and Fiscal

Compliance Monitoring at least 20 days before the monitor review following notification protocol. Selects the monitoring sample.

Determines the review period. Ensures the sample is sent to the contractor two business days before the monitor review.

Schedules monitor reviews within the established timeframes.

(Percentage of Time Spent on Tasks = 30%)

EJF4

Monitors contractor performance to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations by conducting contract compliance on

or off site. Plans and conducts investigations resulting from allegations made about contractors. Monitors contract performance by

examining billings, and eligibility determinations for compliance with terms of contract and policies and recommends actions or

sanctions of contracts and tracks them through completion.

(Percentage of Time Spent on Tasks = 10%)

EJF5

Provides guidance regarding contract administration, policies, and procedures to contractors, stakeholders, internal HHSC staff

and community. Assists other team members.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, OR REGISTRATION REQUIRED:

Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM). Certification completion required between sixth (6th) and twelfth (12th) month of

employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Senior level knowledge of contracting and procurement regulations, of negotiating contracts, of developing contracts, of business

administration and accounting principles and practices, and of policies and procedures of contract management. Knowledge of contract

enrollment and maintenance procedures, regulations and policies. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding

contract enrollment, maintenance and administration. Knowledge of community care services programs, policies, rules and regulations.

Skill in managing multiple priorities and projects and meeting tight deadlines. Skill in communicating effectively both verbally and in

writing. Skill in formulating written communication for various audiences. Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to evaluate contracts and recommend continuation or termination of contracts, or adverse actions; to evaluate fiscal data for

reasonableness, necessity, and conformity with contract requirements. Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations regarding

contract enrollment. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts. Ability to organize workload and set priorities. Ability to

problem solve and mediate. Ability to write and edit contract requirements and specifications and to negotiate features of a contract.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Ability to train and instruct others. Ability to work in a team environment. Ability to

assign and/or supervise the work of others.

Initial Selection Criteria:

Experience in interpreting policies, rules and regulations of State and/or Federal laws. Experience in mentoring/training staff. Experience

in making decisions based upon interpretation of federal and state laws. Experience in HHSC Community Care Services preferred.

Experience in contract management and monitoring preferred. Three years of full-time work experience in the health and human services

field preferred.

Additional Information:

This position is eligible for telework consistent with HHSC telework policy, which is subject to change. Employees may be required to

work in the office one or more days a week. Contract specialist duties will require extensive travel and some overnight travel. Employees

must have a valid driver license to perform duties.

In compliance with the American Disability Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process

and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS

Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations to participate in the

interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.