Social Services 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: Social Services Program Specialist 
Job Title: Program Spclst II Social Svcs 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Childress - Social Work 
Posting Number: 9875 
Closing Date: 10/20/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 
Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $5,921.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location: Brenham State Supported Living Center 
Job Location City: BRENHAM 
Job Location Address: 4001 S HWY 36 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence. 

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Social Services Program Specialist performs moderately complex social services work and technical assistance to assist interdisciplinary team (IDT) members, SSLC leadership, residents and families/guardians/Legally Authorized Representatives (LARs) access and navigate programs and services related to the SSLC.    Serves as a liaison to guardians, family members and Legally Authorized Representatives (LARs) for routine or non-routine notifications.  Assists the assigned social worker and/or admissions staff by gathering, performing reviews, documenting information and preparing assigned reports. Provides technical assistance and administrative support to, and collaborates with, the transition specialist to coordinate community referrals.   Gathers or develops training materials to provide group education to improve and enhance self-advocacy skills.  Assists in the design of, and conducts, individual and group training and/or supports residents within a group meeting. Monitors, reviews and evaluates compliance with policies.  Performs administrative investigations in coordination with other departments. Assists in the completion of the rights and decision-making assessment, as assigned. Assists in preparing and evaluating requests made relating to residents’ trust funds.  Provides an array of technical assistance related to topics including admissions, transfers, end-of-life issues and guardianship. Encourages interest in, and awareness of, the SSLC program and activities through organizing, marketing and coordinating special events, such as family-related events, provider fairs and tours. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.

Serves as a liaison to guardians, family members and Legally Authorized Representatives (LARs) for routine or non-routine notifications such as abuse and neglect allegations, obtaining consent/approval for treatment, special events and/or religious ceremonies. Assists in addressing challenging situations with families and residents, resolves complaints, and informs leadership of any identified trends.  Coordinates and attends meetings with families and the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) to address specific concerns as assigned. Participates in and presents information at residence and family meetings. Assists in the design of, and conducts, individual and group training on assigned topics.

Assists the assigned social worker and/or admissions staff by performing and documenting a comprehensive review of case information on new admissions and other times as appropriate.   Communicates with families/guardians and the resident to prepare social histories and contact information sheets.  Gathers the background information needed to assess the individual’s support systems, and identify the individual’s psychosocial, economic and physical needs.  Provides the social history to the designated social worker or other credentialed staff for review and signature. 

Provides support to and collaborates with the transition specialist to coordinate community referrals such as contacting the legally authorized representative (LAR) to attend the referral meeting, attending referral meetings, attending site visits to group homes and vocational services and following up on identified issues.  Provides technical assistance and administrative support to assist in community referrals such as obtaining ID card, and original social security card and birth certificate and preparing administrative memos for trial visits and permanent placements.  Serves as a back-up for the post-move monitor, as assigned.

Assists in the design of, and conducts, individual and group training to explore and promote exercise of rights, voting, citizenship, and development of decision-making, person centered thinking and self-advocacy skills, in accordance with licensure where applicable. Gathers baseline information regarding resident knowledge of their rights related to, but not limited to, privacy for visits with family and friends, communication, financial, and additional supports and services. Gathers or develops training materials to provide group education to improve and enhance self-advocacy skills. Assists and/or supports within a group meeting to evaluate rights and capacity assessments.

Monitors, reviews and evaluates compliance with policies such as human rights, family contact, admissions and placement policies.  Performs administrative investigations in coordination with incident management such as a root cause analysis to assist in studying a specific resident incident and/or systemic issues.  Reviews and assists in revising policies as assigned.  Assists in the completion of the rights and decision-making assessment as assigned.

Assists in preparing and evaluating requests made relating to residents’ trust funds to ensure trust fund balance are maintained at below the required threshold, proper authorizations are obtained for expenditures and reimbursements are completed correctly.  Works with family and staff to address all personal needs and assists in purchasing items through vendors, such as furniture or other specialized items. 

Provides technical assistance related to the coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, discharges, and furloughs as needed to ensure access to SSLC services through the use of person-centered practices.  Assists local authorities with admission to SSLCs.  Performs technical assistance and training to SSLC staff for transfers between SSLCs.  Provides support and coordination for ongoing court processes. Provides support, technical assistance and training to assist families and IDT members regarding end-of-life issues. Collaborates with IDT and guardians to ensure guardianship paperwork is renewed timely. Performs administrative work in support of these tasks.

Encourages interest in, and awareness of, the SSLC program and activities. Assists in organizing and marketing special events such as holiday events, family meals and family association meetings.  As assigned, sends special notification to impacted parties for weather-related events, construction/issues impacting the SSLC, infection control practices, etc.  Assists in the coordination of provider fairs.  Provides tours of the facility for individuals and families interested in admission, local mental health authority staff, community providers or other interested parties. Prepares materials about the SSLC and performs speaking engagements in the community, as assigned.

Conducts surveys and/or reviews to ensure that residents, legally authorized representatives, and actively involved persons receive the services required in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations and state and center policies such as for guardianship issues, annual living options discussions, end-of-life planning and rights.  Conducts stakeholder satisfaction surveys and provides reports, as assigned.  Takes action to improve the quality of services provided.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.  Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of, or ability to develop knowledge of, Texas Administrative Code, HHSC policies and procedures related to State Supported Living Centers, and the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement.

Knowledge, or ability to gain knowledge of client protections and human rights for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID).

Knowledge of marketing techniques.

Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance.

Skills in the use of computers, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Skill in facilitating meetings and group and individual topic-specific training sessions.

Skills in assisting others to navigate programs and services.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.

Ability to collaborate and devise solutions to administrative and technical problems.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff, IDT, residents, and family members/guardians/LARs, and other stakeholders.

Ability to analyze root cause and problem solve and to develop plans of correction.

Ability to assess individual’s needs and conduct surveys.

Ability to prepare reports.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and 

One (1) year of work experience performing social services work such as case management, providing individual or group training/education, performing case reviews or other work related to the essential job functions of this position.

OR

High school diploma or equivalent; and

Five (5) years of work experience performing social services work such as case management, providing individual or group training/education, performing case reviews or other work related to the essential job functions of this position.

One (1) year of experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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.