Program Specialist VII Rural Texas Strong

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 VII Rural Texas Strong 
Job Title: Program Specialist VII 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Deputy Chief Financial Officer 
Posting Number: 18209 
Closing Date: 07/09/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Range: $6,750.00 - $9,508.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
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: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Rural Texas Strong Program Specialist reports to the Rural Texas Strong Project Manager in the Provider Finance Department within the Chief Financial Officer Division at the Health and Human Services Commission. This position will be responsible for the successful initiation, daily oversight, and delivery of initiatives related to the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This role will work closely across the Rural Texas Strong teams within the CFO division, including contracting staff, as well as across divisions with Legal, Procurement, and Information Technology staff.

This position involves supporting complex process-oriented workflows, working with a team to support federal funding initiatives, ensuring alignment with agency goals and process optimization, and managing high-stakes state and federal legislative priorities. This position will be responsible for the day-to-day evaluation and stakeholder engagement of this multi-initiative program, using accepted project management, administrative and stakeholder/group leadership skills. This role will be responsible for supporting the development of and maintaining project plans, community engagement plans and strategies, coordination across multi-initiatives, and monitoring timelines and milestones. This includes assistance to other program staff, government agencies, rural health providers, and vendors. This role performs advanced project coordination and management work and under minimal supervision, with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Performs high-level support related to project management to create and maintain complex process-oriented workflows, conduct related research, support planning efforts, conduct program risk assessments, and administrative activities related to assigned program(s). (30%)

Provides high-level grant and legislative support through collaborating in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of the RHT program initiatives, technical and federal grant writing, compliance reporting, and supporting legislative inquiries, monitoring and reviewing compliance with federal and state requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures for RHT grant initiatives. (25%)

Provides high-level stakeholder engagement skills by serving as a liaison to staff, government agencies, government offices, community organizations, or the public, providing training and technical assistance and project management to portfolio staff, and creating and executing a grant community engagement plan. (30%)

Plan and manage efficient project meetings, distribute project information and status reports, maintain project general inbox according to state requirements, laws, regulations, policies and procedures. (10%)

Performs related work as assigned. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws or regulations related to healthcare or health and human services programs.

Knowledge of budget development, budget execution, financial tracking, or performance management activities.

Knowledge of health and human services programs, procurement processes, and state legislative processes (preferred).

Skill in identifying, developing, or using performance measures or indicators to assess program effectiveness or outcomes and applying program management processes and techniques, including planning, monitoring, coordination, and reporting.

Skill in communication, presentation, writing and report development.

Skill in using standard business and productivity software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Click-Up and Visio.

Ability to prepare correspondence, presentations, reports, data analyses, or executive-level briefing materials.

Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information to write and prepare reports.

Ability to develop, evaluate, or interpret policies and procedures; and provide guidance or direction to staff, teams, or stakeholders.

Ability to communicate effectively with staff, government agency leaders, legislative offices, community agency leaders, and utilizing business or operational terms.

Ability to learn and adapt to a dynamic working environment, change, and new policies and processes.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in public or business administration, human or social services, counseling or social work, communications, finance, IT systems, or another related field.

Minimum 5 years of experience in leadership, project management, or program administration roles.

Minimum 2 years of experience working with healthcare, government, or human service organizations including higher education.

Experience with federal grants or programs or IT project management preferred.

Minimum 2 years’ experience writing and tracking federal grant applications, navigating the Texas legislative cycle, or analyzing healthcare/Medicaid finance structure, preferred.

Additional Information:

This position will be required to report to the North Austin Complex as needed, a minimum of twice weekly.

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for teleworking. 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.

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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.