Program 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.

Functional Title : Program Specialist III

Job Title : Program Specialist III

Agency : Health & Human Services Comm

Department : SNAP Nutrition Ed - HHFK Act

Posting Number : 3781

Closing Date : 03 / 20 / 2025

Posting Audience : Internal and External

Occupational Category : Community and Social Services

Salary Group : TEXAS-B-19

Salary Range : $4,020.33 - $6,335.66

Shift : Day

Additional Shift : Days (First)

Telework : Eligible for Telework

Travel : Up to 25%

Regular / Temporary : Regular

Full Time / Part Time : Full time

FLSA Exempt / Non-Exempt : Nonexempt

Facility Location :

Job Location City : AUSTIN

Job Location Address : 701 W 51ST ST

Other Locations : Austin; Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata

MOS Codes :

16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description :

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks highly qualified candidates to fill the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education (SNAP-Ed) Program Specialist position within the Access and Eligibility Services (AES) Division, Community Access Section. The SNAP-Ed Program Specialist works under the supervision of the SNAP-Ed Program Supervisor. This position supports Texas SNAP-Ed by collaborating with and assisting the SNAP-Ed team to provide timely communication regarding internal and external inquiries, invoice reimbursement, technical assistance, and meeting management. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs) :

Collaborates with AES stakeholders for invoice review and approval, and budget revisions. Collaborates and assists SNAP-Ed team to provide technical assistance related to federal grant regulations to SNAP-Ed contractors. Assists with establishing implementation plans and strategies to ensure adherence to state and federal requirements and program effectiveness.

Maintains data records, files, and logs that are necessary for tracking program and contract information. Collaborates with SNAP-Ed team to monitor SNAP-Ed contractors' performance to determine trends, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure resources are leveraged appropriately. Works collaboratively with other areas to manage communication with SNAP-Ed contractors.

Performs administrative activities for the SNAP-Ed team including the planning and coordination of meetings, producing meeting minutes, assembling meeting packets / handouts, ordering supplies, updating policy and procedures manual, and setting up conference calls.

Collaborates with SNAP-Ed team members to provide strategic direction to plan and implement each component of the SNAP-Ed program. Review and evaluate the Annual Plan and Annual Report. Review and evaluate information on programmatic process and procedures and identifies gaps in resources and recommends improvements.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of project management processes and practices

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to program areas

Skill in effective oral and written communication

Skill in identifying measures or indicators for program performance

Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups

Skill in problem-solving

Skill in organizing, managing, and prioritizing tasks, schedules, projects, and reports

Skill in the use of computer-related equipment, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent to include word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software programs

Ability to identify problems or gaps and recommend solutions

Ability to work on assignments that require high attention to detail

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze facts

Ability to think creatively and support creative thinking in others

Ability to apply critical thinking that presents as self-initiative and solution-focused problem solving

Ability to conduct oneself with high levels of emotional intelligence

Ability to establish goals and objectives

Ability to foster a positive work environment

Ability to adapt, prioritize, and plan assignments, and handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment

Ability to work effectively under pressure

Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization, and internal and external stakeholders

Ability to understand, interpret, and apply department and agency rules, regulations, policies, procedures

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications :

N / A

Initial Screening Criteria :

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in public health, nutrition education, health education, social work or a related field. One year of professional experience may be substituted for one year of college education on a year-for-year basis up to two years.
• Experience with stakeholder customer service and engagement.
• Experience with interpreting policy and procedures.
• Experience working for the State of Texas preferred.

Additional Information :

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 need. Per HHS agency policy, individuals hired for this position that live within 50 miles of their Austin headquarters may be required to be in office one day a week at a minimum.

Applicants may not have a history of substantiated fraudulent activity against HHSC or any programs it administers. Applicants who have a non-fraud overpayment with an outstanding balance must agree to repay the overpayment balance as a condition of employment.

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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

Salary : $4,020 - $6,336