Program Specialist VII

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.

Brief Job Description

The Program Specialist VII (PS VII) reports to the Local Procedure Development and Support (LPDS) Manager within the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Services division. The PS VII works with minimal supervision and significant latitude for independent judgement and makes high-level decisions about system requirements for the following electronic systems:

• Client Assignment and Registration (CARE),
• Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) Long-term Care (LTC) Online Portal,
• Community Services Interest List (CSIL),
• Slot Tracking,
• Service Authorization System Online (SASO), and
• Your Texas Benefits (YTB) online web portal.

On behalf of IDD Services, the PS VII serves as product owner, project manager, or subject matter expert on projects related to improving existing electronic systems or implementing new systems. Projects involve collaborating with others to write and submit information technology change requests, project concept forms, and lean business case documents for epic features and user stories. The PS VII approves system requirement specifications and screen designs, participates in refinement meetings to gather requirements, writes tests and conducts user acceptance testing. In addition, when systems are down, the PS VII determines impacts to IDD Services, local intellectual and developmental authorities (LIDDAs) and people receiving services to collaborate with management on appropriate notification procedures. The PS VII must work with other Health and Human Services (HHSC) program areas to determine crossover functions and collaborate on prioritization of projects to ensure the best use of project budgeted hours. The PS VIl must be able to effectively communicate system needs from a program perspective to technical staff and system developers and to interpret technical terminology to program staff. The PS VII leads, oversees, or and assists with development of user guides, information letters, forms, form instructions handbooks, and other internal and external communications. The PS VII is responsible for developing and providing system trainings, which may include creating written training material, PowerPoint presentations, and short video demonstrations. The PS VII provides technical assistance to other HHSC staff and contractors. The PS VII must present to internal and external stakeholders regarding project status and may provide on the spot responses to questions or concerns without leadership present. The PS VII assists management with providing guidance to peers as well as other HHSC areas on impacts of information technology (IT) projects and changing policy or procedures. The PS VII may make assignments and prioritize workload for others. The PS VII may monitor the work of others to ensure compliance with project timelines. The PS VII may conduct legislative analysis to identify programmatic issues or concerns and assists with assigned implementation plans for passed legislation. The PS VII completes all project tasks timely to ensure the project timelines and goals are met. The PS VII provides regular updates and reports to the LPDS Manager and Director. The PS VII serves as back-up to the LPDS manager as needed.

Essential Job Functions

1. Serves as lead subject matter expert on system-related projects for IDD Services. Attends project meetings or arranges for another staff to cover, if unavailable. Makes decisions about projects without leadership present, but keeps leadership updated. Tracks project assignments using available software programs (Microsoft Excel, Word, TEAMS, etc.). Produces reports for leadership on a regular basis. Trains HHSC staff and contractors about system functionality and program requirements. Prioritizes and assigns work to other as needed, and monitors the work performed to ensure accurate and timely completion. Performs user acceptance testing and data validation reviews to ensure accuracy of data transfers. Works with project team regarding priority of work items, budget, system design, timelines, system down times, and determines impacts to contractors and individuals receiving services. Communicates impact to the supervisor. (35%)

2. Leads the development of user guides, information letters, forms, form instructions, training materials, and internal and external communications.  Assigns and prioritizes tasks to peers related to these tasks. Reviews the work of peers and ensures information is correct. Works with IDD Services Deputy Associate Commissioner's office staff to ensure documents follow HHSC style guides and are routed for approval within the timelines specified in policy and procedures. Works with other project team and HHSC areas to determine crossover functions and negotiate priority of projects, communications, and trainings. Monitors and responds to questions or concerns received in the team’s dedicated mailbox. (30%)

3. Participates or leads cross-functional workgroups implementing statewide changes in service delivery systems, practices, requirements, or structures. Presents updates on project statuses to internal and external stakeholders, as needed, and handles questions or concerns without leadership present. Assists management with providing guidance to peers, contractors, as well as other HHSC areas about project impacts and changing policy or procedures as they occur. (15%)

4. Performs special assignments regarding initiatives affecting LIDDAs. Processes inquiries, complaints, commissioner assignments, and Legislature assignments, as assigned, which may include writing responses to individuals/families, stakeholders, Legislative officials, and/or executive leadership and logging in the tracking system for inquiries and complaints. (15%)

5. Performs legislative analysis, as assigned, to determine impacts to the electronic systems  and system related projects. Leads implementation plan if legislation is passed impacting the  electronic systems. Serves as backup to LPDS manager as needed. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of services and supports for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations, program policies, rules and requirements, specifically those related to Home and Community-based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) waiver programs.
• Knowledge of LIDDA's roles and responsibility in the HCS and TxHmL waiver programs.

• Knowledge of project management strategies and procedures.
• Skill in using electronic systems used by IDD Services and LIDDAs (i.e., CARE, CSIL, Slot Tracking, LTC Online Portal, SASO, TIERS, and YTB).
• Skill in managing multiple competing assignments, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines while working with large workgroups and producing high quality work with attention to detail.

• Skill in strong written and verbal communication and presenting information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Skill in MS Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) at an advanced level.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of agencies, individuals, providers and consumer advocacy groups.
• Ability to review and analyze information and provide feedback and suggestions.
• Ability to research and prepare reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels of an organization, agencies, providers, and stakeholders.
• Ability to train others and provide technical assistance.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement solutions. 

Initial Screening Criteria

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field relevant to the position is preferred. However, experience and education may be substituted on a year for year basis. Experience working for or with a LIDDA is preferred. Experience working in the following HHSC systems is preferred: Client Assignment and Registration System (CARE), Community Services Interest List (CSIL), Slot Tracking, and Long Term Care Online Portal. Experience in the field of services for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities is required. Experienced working with the HCS and TxHmL waiver programs is 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 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.