Child Care Enforcement Program Specialist

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: Child Care Enforcement Program Specialist 
Job Title: Program Specialist VI 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Enf Day Care GR 
Posting Number: 8058 
Closing Date: 09/12/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Salary Range: $6,520.63 - $8,304.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
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:

Under the supervision of the Child Care Enforcement (CCE) Manager, the Program Specialist VI position performs highly complex enforcement functions using fair, consistent, and transparent enforcement decision-making for Day Care and Residential child-care operations.  The position receives referrals from Child Care Regulation and reviews case history, investigations and inspections to determine evidence sufficiency for corrective or adverse actions.  The position assesses appropriate administrative penalties for deficiencies, conducts administrative reviews of Probation and adverse actions, minimum standards, waivers, and controlling persons, accepts referrals for judicial actions, and tracks cases through the legal processes. The position provides consultation and technical assistance to the regions and participates in statewide enforcement reviews and enforcement decisions.  The position works with HHSC legal personnel and will testify in State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) or district court. The position responds to management, media and legislative inquiries as appropriate. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position may be located in any regional office across the state.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Enforces Day Care and Residential cases in accordance with the laws, rules, and Minimum Standards. Reviews investigation and inspection reports for child-care operations that have been referred to Child Care Facilities Enforcement for enforcement action. Examines and reviews deficiencies described in the report and the underlying evidence, interprets and applies appropriate sections of laws and rules, and Minimum Standards to determine the appropriate enforcement action or administrative review decision. Participates in enforcement reviews for Day Care and Residential Child Care Facilities. Performs complex consultative services and technical assistance work for Child Care Facilities Enforcement. Develops and maintains enforcement tracking system for enforcement reviews. Compiles monthly reports of Day Care and Residential enforcement activities noting patterns and trends. (50%)

Provides technical assistance on matters related to enforcement. Responds to inquiries from respondents, internal/external stakeholders and agency staff and management. Provides guidance to regions and state office regulatory staff on enforcement issues by interpreting policies, regulations, and rules. Collects, organizes, and prepares materials in response to requests for program information and reports from the legislature or other sources. Manages multiple assignments with competing priorities. (30%)

Participates in staff meetings and presents enforcement information as needed. Elevates issues to upper management where necessary. Works cooperatively with enforcement staff, program staff, and managers to acquire necessary information for processing enforcement cases. Will testify in hearings at SOAH and in district court. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy. (15%)

Other duties as assigned. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

Laws, rules and Minimum Standards related to Child Care Facilities.

Enforcement actions, and program activities related to day care and residential facilities.

Legal processes in administrative and district courts.

HHS policies, procedures, and other governing documents.

Texas legislative processes and policy.

Skill in:

The use of a computer and applicable software including Microsoft Word, Outlook, TEAMS, SharePoint, Excel programs, and applicable HHS and CCR programs.

Written and oral communication.

Drafting correspondence, legal documents, memoranda, and emails. 

Establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally.

Leadership, communication, and public speaking.

Analyzing data and information to draw conclusions, make recommendations or develop summative reports.

Organizing and prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines for simultaneous tasks.

Weighing strengths and weaknesses in enforcement cases.

Ability to: 

Analyze and interpret complex written material, interpret policies, rules, and regulatory language.

Read and analyze investigative/inspection reports and identify weak or unsupportable findings. 

Work independently with minimal supervision.

Prepare reports and communicate technical information to be understandable.

Maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups and individuals and work through areas of conflict.

Make independent and sound technical judgments.

Organize workload and set priorities.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

A minimum of three (3) years of experience interpreting, explaining, and applying appropriate law, rule and Minimum Standards to cases.  

Job related experience must also include duties in any of the following areas: developing enforcement cases; drafting legal documents or lengthy reports on a regular basis; or performing quality analysis on compliance inspections and investigations. 

Additional Information:

This position may be located in any regional office across the state.

Salary is posted for the full range but will be based upon available budget.

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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.