Improvement and Education Practitioner

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: Improvement and Education Practitioner 
Job Title: Program Specialist VII 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Transformation and Innovation 
Posting Number: 7542 
Closing Date: 08/13/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Education Training and Library 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $6,666.67 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Improvement and Education Practitioner serves as a core member of the Continuous Improvement Programs Division’s (CIPD) Improvement and Education (I&E) Team and reports directly to the Director of Improvement and Education. This position is responsible for designing and delivering engaging training programs that reduce waste, improve operational efficiency, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) system. The Practitioner supports a system-wide training program by developing curriculum, facilitating workshops, coaching staff, and mentoring team members from executive leaders to front-line personnel. They identify and implement improvement strategies in collaboration with cross-functional teams and assist in evaluating organizational processes to increase effectiveness and efficiency. This role includes facilitating continuous improvement sessions, delivering high-impact presentations, building professional learning tools, mapping current and future-state processes, and supporting key project deliverables. The Practitioner engages in marketing and outreach activities, evaluates emerging trends in learning and technology, and promotes the CIPD brand across HHS. This position may also serve as a project lead or support senior staff on improvement initiatives that advance strategic goals.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Lead and facilitate live and virtual training sessions to build continuous improvement capacity across the HHS system; develop curriculum, materials, and workshops. 25%

Support and guide agency staff through structured improvement methodologies; facilitate sessions including process mapping, Kaizen events, and problem-solving workshops. 25%

Collaborate with internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams to identify process improvement opportunities and implement solutions that promote efficiency and service quality. 20%

Compile and distribute project charters, status reports, Value Stream Maps, Power BI dashboards, memoranda, analyses, presentations, control plans, and other assigned writing tasks. Develop executive briefing documents, issue papers, and memoranda for executive decision-making. 20%

Contribute to program evaluation, performance tracking, and progress reporting by preparing data summaries and milestone updates. Monitor trends in technology, communications, and adult learning to enhance training effectiveness and innovation in content delivery. 5%

Other duties as assigned. 5%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies, and the ability to apply those principles in a large public sector or nonprofit organization.
• Change management methodologies, adult learning principles, and curriculum development.
• Data analytics and key performance indicator design.
• Project, program, and portfolio management principles.
• State government policies, public administration, and HHS organizational structure.
• Knowledge of current marketing practices and principles.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of social media, social marketing, and emerging media communications.

Skill in:

• Skilled in creating training materials, delivering training, coaching, and mentoring staff at various levels.
• Skilled in verbal and written communication, including conducting effective presentations.
• Skilled in time management, strategic planning, and critical thinking, with the ability to develop and drive execution of project plans.
• Skilled in interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence, and relationship building.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Office, Visio or Lucidchart, and Power BI; and a willingness to learn new technologies to improve program effectiveness.
• Facilitation and virtual classroom delivery using modern collaboration platforms.
• Time, resource, and project prioritization in a fast‑paced environment.
• Coaching and mentoring staff to build capacity, capability, and promote innovation.

Ability to:

• Ability to interact professionally with stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership.
• Ability to write and produce clear, concise reports and written communications with strong attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to understand programmatic needs and design meaningful outcome measures that align with those needs.
• Ability to communicate information clearly, concisely, and compellingly, with a focus on audience needs when creating content.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with executives, managers, supervisors, employees, and stakeholders to gain cooperation, support, and buy-in for continuous improvement.
• Ability to engage internal and external stakeholders to coordinate, promote, and gain support for program initiatives.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment and manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to think creatively and foster creative thinking in others.
• Ability to analyze issues, develop solutions, and make innovative recommendations to improve efficiency or customer experience.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple project deadlines concurrently.
• Ability to work independently and support senior staff on complex projects.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or similar certification must be completed within one year of hire date - required

• Project Management Professional (PMP)® – preferred.

• Business Process Improvement or Business Process Management training – preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Experience is required. Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• Government or Public Agency Experience - Minimum of one year of full-time professional experience in state government or a public agency required. Strong preference for experience within Texas Health and Human Services.
• Training and Instruction – Required minimum of two years of experience delivering training or instruction in a formal or professional setting.
• Demonstrated two or more years of experience applying process improvement, project management, or change management methodologies, as evidenced through specific examples in the application or resume required. (e.g., project roles, tools used, frameworks applied, and outcomes achieved).
• Microsoft Office Proficiency – Required proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, as reflected in the application or resume through descriptions of work products, tasks performed, or tools used (e.g., pivot tables, slide decks, document formatting).

Additional Information:

You must meet the minimum initial screening criteria to be considered. You should not apply if your application does not clearly show you meet the initial screening criteria. You must fill out the application in its entirety. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

This is a hybrid position. The successful candidate will be required to be in the office three days per week. In addition, staff may meet in person for special projects and functions. In-office requirements may change depending on the direction of executive leadership.

Only applicants who are interviewed will receive written notification of selection results.

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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.