Program Specialist VII

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 VII

Job Title : Program Specialist VII

Agency : Health & Human Services Comm

Department : AES OOA Budget Support

Posting Number : 3912

Closing Date : 03 / 19 / 2025

Posting Audience : Internal and External

Occupational Category : Business and Financial Operations

Salary Group : TEXAS-B-25

Salary Range : $5,797.66 - $9,508.25

Shift : Day

Additional Shift :

Telework : Eligible for Telework

Travel : Up to 20%

Regular / Temporary : Regular

Full Time / Part Time : Full time

FLSA Exempt / Non-Exempt : Exempt

Facility Location :

Job Location City : AUSTIN

Job Location Address : 701 W 51ST ST

Other Locations : Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Austin; 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) Access and Eligibility Services (AES) department is looking for individuals who want to join an exciting and dynamic team working in a high-performing and innovative environment. AES provides an integrated and streamlined approach to connect individuals to services and supports to reduce institutionalization, allow individuals to remain in their communities, and promote economic and personal self-sufficiency. AES is built on its core values of respect, ownership, collaboration, and integrity. AES strives to achieve its goals of delivering best in class customer service to clients and stakeholders; strengthening program oversight, integrity, and accuracy; seeking innovative ways to streamline and improve service delivery; promoting a culture of excellence; and promoting departmental efficiencies and responsible stewardship of agency resources. The ideal candidate will thrive in an environment that emphasizes innovation through new ideas, striving for excellence, taking pride in your work, embracing differences as a source of strength, accomplishing more through partnership, leading by example, and ongoing continuous improvement.

Under the supervision of Access and Eligibility Services (AES) Finance Operations (FO) director, the Program Specialist VII performs highly advanced program work for the unit. The role involves conducting complex policy research, analysis, and evaluation of AES programs, policies, and operations, while providing guidance to teams and senior leadership. The position also includes developing project plans, coordinating initiatives, and leading implementation efforts. Responsibilities extend to preparing high-quality briefing materials for senior management, responding to internal and external stakeholder requests, and overseeing audits and compliance reviews. Additionally, the role involves administering SharePoint access, maintaining confidentiality, and evaluating the fiscal impacts of proposed rule and law modifications related to AES programs and contracts.

Essential Job Functions (EJF) :

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy. Supports, ensures compliance with, and behaves in a manner that reflects the AES values, mission, and vision.

EJF1. Plans, prioritizes, and performs complex policy research, analysis, and evaluation of AES programs, policy, and operations. Assists with planning program activities in accordance with program objectives and goals. Provides guidance, direction, and technical assistance to team; develops and promotes consistency tools, processes and procedures for Finance Operations Position Control and Budget teams as well as the Senior Leadership Team in AES.

EJF2. Develops project planning and coordination activities for complex program initiatives, to include creating work plans, timelines, and overseeing work groups and meetings. May lead implementation and provide guidance for initiatives and projects.

EJF3. Coordinates, compiles, and reconciles work to respond to requests from internal customers as well as external stakeholders. Prepares high-quality briefing documents and memorandum for senior and executive management review and decision-making. Responsible for providing information to auditors for various audits. Reviews the results of internal audits, state auditor reports, CPA audits, federal statewide single audits, as well as any federal reviews conducted of AES financial data; and provides direction and guidance to management and program, project, and assigned teams on related audit results and needed improvements.

EJF4. Administers SharePoint access as well as reporting data dynamics to ensure all confidential information is kept confidential. Must work at a level above staff and must treat information sharing with staff in a prudent and conservative manner to maintain effective team dynamics.

EJF5. Reviews fiscal impacts of proposed HHSC, state, and federal rule / law modifications. Addresses the preparation of cost impact estimates for AES programs, grants, and contracts based on potential changes to rule or law. Performs other duties as assigned. (15%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

Knowledge

Knowledge and experience with creating business processes and workflows, manuals, and instructional material.

Working knowledge of fiscal processes and procedures related to non-profit, governmental settings.

Knowledge of financial analysis, financial terminology, industry practices, and examination procedures for public entities.

Extensive knowledge of, and ability to work with, Microsoft Office software.

Skills

Skills in using computer software including, but not limited to, Excel, CAPPS Financials, other accounting software, Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Skills in managing and prioritizing incoming requests to ensure accurate and timely processing.

Skill in identifying issues, analyzing them, and providing solutions quickly and effectively.

Skills in working diplomatically with internal and external stakeholders, maintaining a professional demeanor in all situations.

Abilities

Ability to anticipate the needs of leadership and make proactive decisions to support program operations.

Ability to analyze, evaluate, and summarize financial and management records for accuracy and conformance to procedures, rules, and regulations.

Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality at all times.

Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures, to communicate effectively, and to administer the work of others.

Ability to effectively communicate complex information, both verbally and in writing, and produce reports.

Ability to interpret and apply federal and state laws, policies, rules, and requirements in health services and fiscal management.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications :

None

Initial Screening Criteria :

Graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business, finance, accounting, economics, healthcare, administration, or a related field. Experience in a field related to the essential job functions may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis.

Employment application illustrates effective written communication skills.

At least 2 years of experience in accounting, auditing, budgeting, finance, or program management.

Additional Information :

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 : $5,798 - $9,508