Projects Specialist VI

Date: Mar 26, 2025

Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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: Projects Specialist VI

Job Title: Program Specialist VI

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: SNAP Nutrition Ed - HHFK Act

Posting Number: 4183

Closing Date: 04/09/2025

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Community and Social Services

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23

Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83

Shift: Day

Additional Shift: Days (First)

Telework

Travel: Up to 15%

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

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks highly qualified candidates to fill the SNAP Education Program Specialist position within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Education (SNAP-Ed) Program. The SNAP-Ed Program is a program in the area of Community Access, within the Access and Eligibility Services department. The SNAP-Ed Program Specialist, with minimal supervision under the Program Director, performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work and provides direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning for the Texas administration of the federal SNAP-Ed program. Work involves statewide administration of the SNAP-Ed program including: setting goals, objectives and policies in accordance with the HHSC strategic plan and SNAP-Ed federal guidance; establishing priorities, standards and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; and coordinating and evaluating program activities. Reviews and monitors pertinent HHSC, state, and federal guidelines, procedures, rules, regulations, and reporting guidelines to ensure programmatic and operational compliance; identifies the need to revise and make changes to policies, procedures, and operations. Develops productivity, and financial reports and studies; supports the development of program budgets; develops, reviews, monitors, and manages budgets and program funding; and participates in the development of procurement activities, contracting, contract monitoring policies, procedures, and practices. Represents HHSC and the SNAP-Ed program at meetings and conferences; communicates verbally and in writing with federal and state partners, program partners, and local stakeholders. The ideal candidate for this position will thrive in an environment that emphasizes: continuous improvement, proactive problem solving, an emphasis and exceptional eye for detail, leading by example, innovation through new ideas, team building, and embracing individual differences as a source of strength.

Essential Job Functions

40%-Project Management – Oversees and/or develops project schedules, resource requirements, and cost estimates and projections; monitors and updates project schedules and cost estimates; and assesses the effect of adjustments. Oversees and/or compiles and distributes project information, status reports, and project budget expenditures. Oversees the documentation of project plans, project procedures, and project change orders. Ensures that project schedules comply with department policies, practices, and procedures. Assesses and reports actual project progress compared with planned progress to determine trends and variances. Consults with project managers to establish feasible project schedules and cost estimates. Creates project schedules and scheduling components for all phases of a project. Creates, organizes, and maintains detailed project cost estimates to model a project’s final cost. Collects and analyzes historical project data to maintain a basis for future project planning and forecasting. Recommends and/or develops policies for project management scheduling and budgeting; and reviews policies, practices, and procedures. Implements quality control and quality assurance project management best practices, supporting project managers. Develops reports detailing resource capacity and/or use, including forecasts of resource requirements.

Reviews and analyzes construction documents and other technical documents. Trains staff in the use of project management scheduling tools and provides ongoing technical assistance to users. Verifies that project schedule controls are properly implemented and maintained. May supervise the work of others as a team lead on a project. Examples of possible projects include social media campaign, Healthy Texan Week, annual program evaluation, nutrition council development and participation, annual SNAP-Ed conference, and other special projects as identified.

20%-Program Administration - Provides consultation and advanced technical assistance for the SNAP-Ed Program to include working with Director to develop quarterly strategic planning meeting agendas. Prepares and conducts training on project implementation as needed. Prepares for and presents at conferences and all-staff meetings. Prepares presentations for governance meetings, legislative inquiries, communications meetings. Works with state and federal partners to coordinate and improve program effectiveness. Works collaboratively with other areas and programs within AES to identify innovative and effective solutions for customers and staff.

20% Strategic Programmatic and Project Planning and Implementation - Provides strategic direction to plan and implement each component of the SNAP-Ed program projects assigned by Director. Works closely with the Projects & Data Administrator to ensure alignment of upcoming initiatives and program priorities. Reviews and evaluates information on service delivery systems to identify gaps in resources and recommends improvements. Establishes implementation plans and monitoring strategies to ensure adherence to state and federal requirements and program effectiveness.

10%- Reporting/Technical Writing - Participates as technical writer for procurements and contracts to include statements of work, annual report summaries of projects, and instructional materials related to contract services. Prepares and assists with the development of management reports and legislative reports.

5%- Contract Management and Integrity - Ensures the integrity of contract data for reporting. Maintains data records, files, and logs that are necessary for tracking program and contract information to include development of SAR/VARs and proper documentation.

5%-Performs other duties as assigned.

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

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

Knowledge of strategic planning, and project management strategies and procedures;

Knowledge of procedures used to evaluate a third-party vendor's performance;

Knowledge of the Texas legislative process;

Knowledge of government organization and administration.

Knowledge of project management theories and practices; project costing, estimating, and scheduling; systems and procedures used to evaluate project performance; and local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the administration of the project undertaken.

Skill in project management, scheduling, and estimating; and in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Skill in establishing project goals and deliverables, managing multiple and competing priorities and tracking and monitoring project progress;

Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions;

Skill in communication and public speaking;

Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups;

Skill in managing various levels of employees;

Skill in performing research and various research techniques;

Skill in analyzing and evaluating complex program and policy issues;

Skill in developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues.

Skill in project management oversight, forecasting and oversight.

Ability to interpret data and develop effective operating procedures;

Ability to organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing;

Ability to think creatively and support creative thinking in others;

Ability to establish goals and objectives;

Ability to lead in an environment of change;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels of an organization, agencies, providers, stakeholders and elected officials;

Ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through planning and evaluation of policies and programs;

Ability to comprehensively and accurately evaluate reports;

Ability to develop and implement effective customer service systems; and ability to perform effectively and produce results.

Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments among contracted and non-contracted staff;

Ability to perform work with a high degree of attention to detail;

Ability to work independently and operate effectively within established guidelines and timeframes;

Ability to lead project teams, work with multiple stakeholders, and provide oversight to contracted vendors;

Ability to write and revise standards and procedures;

Ability to evaluate and make recommendations for program improvements;

Ability to train others and prioritize staff work.

Ability to monitor project status, to prepare and/or analyze project cost estimates, to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions, to analyze project-related information and develop plans to address identified issues, to identify project risks, to prepare reports and charts, to communicate effectively, and to supervise the work of others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

Certification in Project Management as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar is preferred but not required.

Initial Criteria

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Health Promotion, Health Education, Nutrition Education, Exercise Science, Leadership, Social Work, Health Science or health-related or business-related field. One year of college education (9-10 months of enrollment equals one academic year) may be substituted by one year of experience in project management experience for up to two years.
• At least one (1) year of experience working in nutrition education, public health, health education, education, or similar health or education programs.
• One (1) year of experience working in SNAP-Ed is preferred but not required.
• At least two (2) years’ experience planning and coordinating project management activities with multiple internal and external stakeholders to promote effective project/program administration and service delivery for improving outcomes of program participants for SNAP-Ed or similar public health, health education, health-related programs, or other education programs.
• Training and/or certificate in project management and related software.
• Previous state agency experience preferred but not required
  
  

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.

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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

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.

Nearest Major Market: Austin