Program Specialist VII

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Functional Title: Program Specialist VII
Job Title: Program Specialist VII
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Integrity Support Svcs - SO
Posting Number: 18026
Closing Date: 09/14/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Range: $5,797.66- $7,652.91
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Eligible for 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; Amarillo; Austin; Dallas; Edinburg; El Paso; Houston; Jasper; San Antonio; Tyler
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Job Title: Program Specialist VII

The Texas Health and Human Services commission (HHSC) seeks highly qualified candidates to fill the Program Specialist VII position within the Access & Eligibility Services (AES) Department Eligibility Operations Integrity Support Services (ISS). AES is driven by its mission to connect Texans to services by helping individuals and families in need of food, medical care, cash assistance and other social services. The Program Specialist VII will perform complex consultative and technical work related to all areas of ISS.

Duties include oversight and management of policies and projects related to fraud prevention for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid for Children and Families, and Medicaid for the Elderly and Disabled. Duties also include planning, prioritizing, coordinating, and implementing program management activities with other AES staff; collaborating with internal and external stakeholders; serving as area liaison to pertinent advisory committees and external workgroups; participating in strategic planning and business continuity activities; and initiating and overseeing the implementation of special projects and complex program initiatives. May train, lead, assign and/or prioritize the work of others.

Essential Job Functions:

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

Oversees the development and management of highly complex projects. Facilitates or participates in intra-department and cross-agency workgroups, sets goals and objectives, and oversees progress toward these goals. May be responsible for hiring, selection, and assigning work. Maintains effective and professional interpersonal relationships, including the ability to work with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of personnel in governmental entities, external entities, and with program stakeholders. (15%)

Develops procedures and processes, analyzes data, and makes recommendations for appropriate changes. Provides highly advanced technical and consultative services and serves as a program liaison on a variety of state and federal meetings. Prepares high-quality research, analysis, and written project reports, updates, summaries, and other documents as assigned. Provides subject matter expertise and technical assistance to the team, internal partners, and other stakeholders. Provides project management oversight at a program level and ensures that project activities are completed accurately and efficiently. Communicates effectively with customers verbally and in writing. (20%)

Manages and oversees processes and projects related to fraud detection and prevention for Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, TANF, at the precertification stage. Negotiates and coordinates complex program changes with outside stakeholders. Interprets complex federal and state statutes, regulations, and guidelines. Under limited supervision may examine individual SNAP, TANF, CHIP and Medicaid cases to identify potential fraudulent or erroneous cases. Ensures programs are in compliance with federal regulations. Ensures policy information is disseminated appropriately across all AES areas, Develops and implements senior-level work plans and timelines. Prepares and presents briefings for ISS Director and when necessary, Executive level staff including the Associate Commissioner. (15%)

Leads the response to and implementation of special requests and assignments from the Director and/or members of executive and senior leadership teams; coordinates the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of materials in response to requests for program information and reports; and composes and edits complex data sets, procurement documents, and legislative reports. (15%)

Works with the Integrity Support Services Director and Senior Leadership Team in developing plans and specific activities to achieve the vision and goals of Access & Eligibility Services, Advises the AES Senior Leadership Team of potential issues and works collaboratively to Identify solutions, Works with Access & Eligibility Services Senior Leadership Team members and Community Support staff to identify and resolve risks and issues. Performs or oversees studies and analyses of operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations; assists management with developing policies, procedures, standards, and manuals for the team and planning activities in accordance with unit objectives and goals. (15%)

Identifies performance metrics and provides key information related to ISS performance to division leadership to support sound decision making and to ensure strategic utilization of division resources. Provides coaching, guidance, and mentorship to others on the team. (15%)

Performs other duties as assigned and required to meet the mission and goals of HHSC. (5%)

Licensure: N/A

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Ability to work collaboratively across all areas to accomplish objectives.
• A keen attention to detail and the ability to implement creative solutions to problems.
• Able to balance team and individual responsibilities.
• Knowledge of government administration, program management, and project management techniques.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws governing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid for Children and Families, and Medicaid for the Elderly and for Disabled Adults
• Knowledge of policy development and research methods.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and analyze policies and procedures.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of independence and attention to detail within established guidelines and timeframes.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Skill in project management and the ability to lead project teams and work with multiple stakeholders.
• Skill in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations, write technical information in an understandable format, and produce sophisticated reports.
• Ability to mentor and provide effective direction to other staff.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field relevant to the position (such as data analytics, statistics of psychology) is preferred.
Experience communicating verbally and in writing required. Experience making presentations to small and large groups required. Experience developing policies and procedures required. Experience supervising eligibility staff and/or investigators preferred.
Experience analyzing and interpreting data required. Experience leading and mentoring staff preferred. Current experience in SNAP, Medicaid policy and procedures. Current experience in TANF program preferred. Demonstrated strong experience in successful project management as a result of collaborative partnership.

Experience in making decisions required. Experience performing multiple tasks in a timely manner required. Application indicates the willingness to work beyond normal work hours of 8AM-5PM as needed/required. Experience using computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook required. Application indicates the willingness to travel 15% of the time required.

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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 View phone number on aiapply.co. 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.