Innovation 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: Innovation Specialist 
Job Title: Management Analyst IV 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Transformation and Innovation 
Posting Number: 7238 
Closing Date: 08/21/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Salary Range: $5,800.00 - $6,250.00 
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: 0510,0570,4502,4505,8016,8840,8852,8862,8870,11A,14FX,165X,171X,35PX,37A,37F,3N0X6,46A,612X,632X 
641X,70A,70D,70E,712X,732X,INF,IS,SEI13,SEI15,YN,YNS 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Do you see problems and think, there must be a better way and then you find the better way? Are you ready to use your analytical skills to identify barriers and develop solutions to improve business processes and drive greater efficiency? If you are a driven self-starter looking for an opportunity to grow and succeed in a highly collaborative team environment, the Office of Transformation and Innovation (OTI) wants to hear from you! OTI works collaboratively with client services and administrative support services departments to fulfill the mission of a culture of continuous improvement.

The OTI Innovation team is seeking the ideal candidate to join the team as an Innovation Specialist (Management Analyst IV). The Innovation team focuses on developing innovative solutions to complex, high-impact issues facing Health and Human Services (HHS). The Innovation Specialist reports to the Director of Innovation and, as part of the team, performs complex and highly advanced (senior-level) analysis on critical and high-profile initiatives designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HHS. Innovation team members partner with all areas of HHS, ranging from service programs that provide vital services to Texans every day to the agency’s internal administrative service divisions. OTI team members are required to regularly communicate with the OTI Deputy Executive Commissioner, the Chief Policy and Regulatory Officer, agency leadership, internal and external stakeholders, and others.

The Innovation Specialist serves as an internal agency consultant and leads or supports project teams in the planning and execution of complex projects to improve the efficiency of operations, reduce waste and costs, and ultimately provide a faster, higher quality of service. The Innovation Specialist will collaborate with stakeholders to identify, develop, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of process improvement projects. This position will contribute to the management of projects through the development of timelines and milestones, preparation of progress reports, mapping as-is and to-be processes, identifying process improvements, and identifying and resolving risks and issues. This position will also contribute to the completion of quality project deliverables including, but not limited to, the development of technical solutions.

The successful candidate must be a critical thinker with a demonstrated ability to analyze issues and develop improvement recommendations and solutions to system programs, services, and operations. The successful candidate must have strong communication and presentation skills and proven success working in a team-based dynamic setting.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

(30%) Provide crucial consultative services by applying process improvement methodologies and tools to proactively identify issues that impede operational efficiency and develop innovative solutions to improve efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and streamline daily operations. Serve as analyst or project lead on process improvement projects involving complex business workflows and multiple stakeholders.

(25%) Compile and distribute project charters, status reports, process maps, memoranda, analyses, presentations, and other assigned writing tasks. Develop executive briefing documents, issue papers, and memoranda for executive decision-making.

(15%) Work in close collaboration with agency team members to identify necessary information to create, support, and sustain improvement efforts and monitor process improvement initiatives.

(15%) Communicate gaps in process design and implementation to upper management and provide consultative support to various units within the context of the overall strategic objectives of improving processes and gaining efficiencies.

(15%) Other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of business process improvement methodologies and how to successfully apply these tools to public sector operations.

Knowledge of process design, monitoring, and evaluation techniques.

Knowledge of Agile project management methodologies.

Knowledge of developing and monitoring key performance indicators.

Knowledge of organizational development and management practices as it applies to analysis and evaluation of programs or operational performance.

Skill in project management methods and negotiation of projects and program initiatives.

Skill in coordinating and collaborating across state agencies and divisions.

Skill in evaluating statute, rule, policies and procedures; assessing risk and developing contingency plans; and making recommendations.

Skill in mapping business processes.

Skill in communicating effectively orally, in writing, and presenting information publicly.

Skill in synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating highly complicated and technical information and translating it into clear and concise documents or presentations.

Skill in writing and developing executive briefing documents, project documentation, and presentations.

Skill in effective oversight to include planning, and development and implementation of systems and processes.

Ability to manage competing objectives in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment to achieve results.

Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.

Ability to develop low-code, no-code technical solutions for complex projects.

Ability to work independently and as a team lead on complex projects.

Ability to evaluate, analyze and create quality, innovative recommendations for business process or technical improvements that increase efficiency or improve the customer experience.

Ability to collaborate and develop effective professional relationships with coworkers and stakeholders.

Ability to develop and track work plans.

Ability to prioritize time and manage multiple project deadlines.

Demonstrated ability to perform complex operations in Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Visio.

Ability to apply critical thinking to generate and assess potential solutions and to anticipate needs and problems in advance.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or other process improvement certification preferred but not required.

Project Management or Agile certification preferred but not required.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required but 4 years of relevant work history in project management or process improvement can be substituted for a degree. Master’s degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, is preferred but not required.

At least two years of full-time professional experience applying process improvement methodologies to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and reduce waste.

Experience in developing and presenting oral and written reports.

Preferred:

Directly leading a hands-on process improvement experience.

Experience with Microsoft Power Platform.

Additional Information:

Individuals selected for interview will provide work samples. Only applicants who are interviewed will receive written notification of selection results.

Salary Note: Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual Chapter. 

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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.