Program Specialist V

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: Program Specialist V 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Professional Cred Enfmnt 
Posting Number: 8166 
Closing Date: 08/28/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $5,888.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
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: Nonexempt 
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:

Performs highly advanced consultative services and technical assistance activities in the Facilities Enforcement unit within the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Analyze citations to help ensure compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules; and recommend enforcement remedies as needed for Nursing Facilities (NF), Assisted Living Facilities, and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF). Analyze legislation to develop recommendations for policy in programmatic issues relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program enforcement activities. Analyze the application of and variations within programs to develop action plans for improving or initiating new programs. Assist with the development of enforcement program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals in accordance with program objectives and goals. Communicates with internal staff to ensure consistency of enforcement information. Prepares reports and retrieves data for management.

Essential Job functions:

Conducts nursing facility, assisted living, and intermediate care facilities enforcement reviews.
Reviews and analyzes survey findings to determine if evidence supports a deficiency/violation and the assigned scope and severity. Makes state and federal enforcement recommendations. Provides consultation and guidance in the development and revision of NF, ALF, and ICF enforcement related guidance. Reviews Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) recommendations and compiles a summary for distribution to statewide staff. Provides guidance to regions and state office regulatory staff on enforcement issues by interpreting policies, regulations, rules and state and federal guidance letters. Conducts Opportunity to Show Compliance for licensure actions of NF and ALF programs. Provides clarification to regional staff to ensure strength of future deficiencies resulting in remedies being imposed. Reviews draft policies and guidance to ensure they conform to federal and/or state requirements as applicable. Consults with internal stakeholders to ensure that consistent enforcement-related information is provided statewide. Participates in workgroups, committees and meetings as the nursing facility enforcement representative. May be a witness at hearings. Responds to management, media and legislative inquiries as appropriate.
Develops and maintains enforcement tracking system for enforcement reviews.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must have Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test (SMQT) Certification

Knowledge Skills Abilities: 

Knowledge of state and federal laws and rules related to long-term care providers.
Knowledge of enforcement actions, survey and program activities related to nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and intermediate care facilities.
Ability to gather, organize and analyze facts; to compile and prepare reports; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures and initiate modifications or revisions as appropriate.
Ability to interpret policies, rules and regulatory language.
Skilled in the use of a computer and applicable software including Microsoft Word, Outlook, TEAMS, SharePoint and Excel programs.
Ability to communicate (verbally and written) with leadership, agency staff, stakeholders and the public.
Ability to adjust work routine according to priorities.
Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in field related to regulatory services long-term care preferred, such as social worker, nurse or dietician in a NF, ICF or ALF. Must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a psychology, sociology, nursing, social services related field or public health from an accredited college or university or be a registered nurse (RN).

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Additional Information: N/A

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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.