School-Based Services Program Lead Advisor

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: School-Based Services Program Lead Advisor 
Job Title: Program Specialist VII 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: MCS SHARS Policy 
Posting Number: 21090 
Closing Date: 09/24/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support 
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $9,508.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 25% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: NACOGDOCHES 
Job Location Address: 1204 N MOUND 
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,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

School-Based Services Program Lead Advisor/Program Specialist VII. This is a mobile worker position in Medical and Dental Benefits Policy in Texas Medicaid.  
 
Are you someone who thrives in an environment that emphasizes:  
• teamwork to achieve goals  
• excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability  
• curiosity to continuously grow and learn  
• critical thinking for effective execution  
• integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy?  
 
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) division seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of School-Based Services Program Advisor/Program Specialist VII.   

MCS is driven by its mission to deliver quality, cost-effective services to Texans. This position makes a significant contribution to MCS’s mission by supporting school-based Medicaid services and other Medicaid medical benefit initiatives and policies.  
 
This position is selected by and reports to the Medical and Dental Benefits Policy (MDBP) Manager in the Medicaid and CHIP Services Department. The position serves as lead staff and will oversee and perform highly advanced (senior level) policy work and provide consultative and technical assistance to the medical benefits and finance team.   
 
As lead staff, the position plans, develops, and coordinates medical benefit policy specific initiatives, including but not limited to the School Health and Related Services (SHARS) program and associated benefits. In addition to SHARS, the position may also:  
 
• Oversee and direct other medical benefit initiatives as assigned;  
• Provide oversight and mentorship to staff on the Medical Benefits Policy team;  
• Be required to leverage policy analysis, evidence-based and clinical research;  
• Engage with a variety of stakeholders, and  
• Lead or implement other varied domains of heath care policy development, outside of SHARS, dependent on team priorities. 

The position assists the MDBP Manager with coordinating, facilitating, managing and overseeing administrative functions and assists with the daily operations of the school-based services staff including planning, prioritizing and assigning work. The position monitors and reports on the progress of the team’s work, identifies risks and issues and provides recommendations for resolutions and improvements. The position effectively communicates and works with all levels of HHS staff, stakeholders, claims administrator contractor staff, the public and others with varying levels of Medicaid medical benefit knowledge. The position works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.  

A key requirement of this position is the ability to plan, prioritize, and manage competing projects as well as the ability to project manage work with colleagues, providing guidance and oversight to others. 

The top candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills, with strength in effectively communicating with all levels of HHS staff, internal and external stakeholders, providers, and others with varied levels of Medicaid medical benefit knowledge. The position conducts research, evaluation, and analysis related to the planning, development, and implementation of the SHARS program and other Medicaid medical benefit policy initiatives. 

This position is a mobile worker that requires statewide travel. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

School-based Services Lead Advisor: Serves as the lead on the development and implementation of complex medical benefit initiatives and special projects, including but not limited to the SHARS program. Advises on the clinical aspect of SHARS services, with an understanding of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) process and Individualized Education Programs (IEP). Researches and resolves complicated and unusual Medicaid medical benefit issues and serves as the lead for medical documentation in school settings. Acts as liaison and collaborates with other organizational and program areas within HHS and other agencies concerning the SHARS program and other initiatives managed by the unit as assigned. Provides input and technical assistance to staff in the development and implementation of program changes and initiatives. Works collaboratively across MCS to identify innovative and effective solutions for clients and staff. Oversees and assists staff with the development and implementation of program options for Medicaid initiatives impacting HHS, including program analysis, options development, timelines, and fiscal impact considerations. (30%)

Technical Lead: Assists the Manager with the daily operations of the school-based services and oversees a variety of administrative functions for specific initiatives. Oversees prioritization, assignment, and implementation of work and reports on initiatives lead by team members. Sets goals and objectives for school-based services staff and reviews and approves work products. Identifies staff training needs and develops guidance to support staff development and mentorship to ensure top tier functioning of the team. (20%)

Stakeholder engagement: Works with and speaks to community and professional groups, other HHS programs, legislative staff, Medicaid managed care organization staff, and public stakeholders to provide information, technical assistance and identify needs and resolve issues. Provides oral presentations and written materials, both in-person and virtually, as appropriate. Travels across the state of Texas for presentations and site visits. (20%)

Communication and analysis: Prepares high-quality letters, memoranda, analyses, reports, presentations, agendas, and other assigned writing tasks. Prepares written responses to public, legislative, and stakeholder inquiries and assists with bill analysis as assigned. Writes, research, reviews, and edits policies. Responds to questions related to medical benefits and benefit processes for policy development. Drafts and make oral presentations on medical benefit policy process and benefit information to a variety of audiences. (15%)

Mentorship and compliance: Provides guidance to staff on, and assists with, interpretation of federal and state laws, codes, and administrative rules related to Medicaid medical benefits. Oversees compliance with regulations, laws and rules as it relates to Medicaid medical benefit policy. (15%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• The health and human services agencies and programs. 
• State and federal laws governing Medicaid, Special Education in public schools, and/or health and human services. 

• Project planning, evaluation, and implementation.

• Knowledge of and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, word processing, presentation, and project management products.  

Skill in:

• Analyzing and evaluating complex federal and state legislation. 
• Researching, analyzing, and synthesizing medical and educational evidence, best-practices, policy, claims processing system, and program issues. 

• Strong skill in developing and evaluating policies and procedures, assessing risks, and making recommendations. 
• Strong skills in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations, and write technical information in an understandable format.

Ability to:
• Work collaboratively across MCS to accomplish objectives

• Effectively facilitate meetings and maintain working relationships with staff or program stakeholders.

• Manage several projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment and juggle competing priorities.  
• Exercise creative problem-solving techniques in a highly complex environment and implement creative solutions to problems. 
• Work collaboratively and adapt quickly to changing circumstances and team dynamics. 
• Work independently and perform work with a high degree of attention to detail. 

• Motivate staff to obtain a standard of excellence in their work and to foster an environment of continuous improvement.

• Ability to formulate learning objectives, develop training objectives, and assess training needs.  
• Exercise judgment and work independently with minimum supervision 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree related to health policy, education policy, or another relevant teaching or social services domain. Preference may be given to candidates with a clinical license at the discretion of hiring manager.
• Must have four years’ work experience in health policy, education policy or relevant clinical, teaching, or social services positions.  
• Experience and education may be substituted for each other on a year-for-year basis, at the discretion of the hiring manager.
• Must be able to travel at least 25% statewide for site visits.

Preferred: 
• Two years of work experience delivering special education services (or other specially designated instruction to children with disabilities) in a school or other relevant clinical, teaching, or social service setting.
or 
• Two years of experience with medical services available to children enrolled in Medicaid and eligible to receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 
 

Additional Information:

Applicants selected for an interview may be required to submit a resume, a professional or academic writing sample, and may be asked to complete an in-basket exercise. 
Salary Note: The salary offered will follow HHS HR Policy and Procedures. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual. For internal applicants, there can be limitations in consideration of applicant’s current classification and salary and is also dependent upon available budget. Only complete applications will be considered. 

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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.