Youth and Family Program Specialist V

Brief Job Description:
This position provides oversight and support for Family Support Services (FSS) Youth and Family Programs ranging from family strengthening, positive youth development, and special populations. These programs are designed to strengthen youth and families, promote youth and family well-being, positive parenting, peer and family relationships, and support positive outcomes for youth. Programs offer services such as evidence-based parent education, mentoring, youth skills classes, counseling, and other youth and family support type programming. Programs also engage in quality frameworks, systems-level building, and coalition work.

Work involves planning, developing, and coordinating major agency program(s) related to youth and family strengthening and support. The Program Specialist position provides consultative services and technical assistance to grantees, service providers, other division staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public. The Program Specialist engages in program planning, meeting coordination and facilitation, conducting site visits, meeting with stakeholders, planning and providing training, and serving on internal and external workgroups. The Program Specialist will also compile and summarize information, produce written reports and presentations, and write guidance, policies, and procedures. Work will also involve procurement development, interpreting grant requirements, data analysis, and program operations review and grantee budget review. The position provides guidance and general communication to ensure coordination with HHSC program goals and objectives. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent critical judgement.

This position reports to the Division Administrator for Youth and Family Programs. This position offers a hybrid schedule of remote (telework) and in-office work and will have the opportunity to telework as HHSC policy allows. The selected candidate for this position will be required to work in and attend in-person meetings in an Austin office when not teleworking and to fulfill essential job functions.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Program Grant Administration (30%)

• Collect, organize, analyze, and prepare materials in response to requests for program information.
• Oversee the performance of grantees, interprets data, and offers support to help community-based programs meet the identified goals and objectives outlined in the grant agreement.
• Develop and review grant reports and deliverables for assigned programs.

Program and Policy Development (30%)

• Contribute to the development and planning of projects and programs.
• Analyze the application of and variations within programs and develop action plans to improve or strengthen programs.
• Serve as Program Evaluator for Request for Applications or funding opportunities.
• Develop program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals in accordance with program objectives and goals.
• Prepare administrative reports, which may include analysis of program data and presenting recommendations.

Technical Assistance, Support and Consultation (30%)

• Perform a variety of training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities for assigned programs.
• Consult with community program staff and provide consultative services and technical assistance in planning, and implementation of programs and services.
• Develop program materials and presentations for technical assistance as needed.
• Identify training needs and conduct trainings as needed.
• Consult and collaborate with other state agencies and partners in workgroups and initiatives.
• Provide guidance to community providers with the implementation of new methods and procedures.
• Evaluate program operations, budget alignment, and program budget requests.

General Duties (10%)

• Collaborate and consult with other Youth and Family Program Specialists and FSS staff.
• Travel, attend in-person meetings, and conduct site visits as required.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration and management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; research techniques; training and marketing techniques; and program management processes and techniques.

• Knowledge of interpreting grant or policy requirements is desired but not required. Knowledge of the implementation and planning of services such as evidence-based parent education, and/or working with children and families within community organizations, state or federal agencies is desirable. Knowledge of working with parents and families and/or populations including expecting parents and families with young children desirable. Knowledge of parent education program; family programming; understanding of challenges of parent or caregivers and knowledge of working alongside community-based organizations to support and strengthen outcomes for young children, parents, and families is desirable.
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and the use of a computer and applicable software.

• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to market programs; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; to communicate effectively; and to serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
N/A

Initial Selection Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field relevant to the assignment is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis. Experience in youth and family services, social work, working with youth, their parents and caregivers, program operations, child development, counseling or other related area.

Additional Information:

This position is located in Austin.