Community Based TANF Program Specialist

State-of-Nebraska; Nebraska; On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

State employee development

Job summary

The State of Nebraska is seeking a DHHS Program Specialist in the TANF program to manage day-to-day operations, plan and evaluate TANF-funded activities, and ensure compliance with regulations. The role involves policy development, reporting, audits, and training with statewide responsibilities and preferred Lincoln location.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s degree and have experience in human services, budgeting, and program evaluation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent coursework in public administration, social/behavioral sciences, healthcare, human services or related field.
• Experience in planning or evaluating services, programs or policies may substitute for the education requirement.
• Prefer experience with grants, budgets, subawards/contracts and human service programs.

Responsibilities

• Research, review, analyze, and interpret regulations to formulate policies and procedures.
• Explain policies to staff, community organizations, and the public.
• Assess program effectiveness and identify training needs.
• Develop resources and administrative support for programs and divisions.
• Draft and implement policy, procedures, and program regulations; review reports and contracts.

Skills

Grant management

Policy development

Data analysis

Training delivery

Report writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration or related field

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

The work we do matters! Hiring Agency: Health & Human Services - Agency 25 Location: Statewide, NE Hiring Rate: $24.862 Job Posting: JR2026-00029086 Community Based TANF Program Specialist (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): 09-17-2026

Job Description

The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a motivated individual to join our Office of Economic Assistance Team and fill the role of DHHS Program Specialist within the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This position is to manage the day-to-day operational and technical functions of TANF programs. This role involves planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating TANF-funded programs and services, developing procedures, and implementing policies. Under limited supervision, the specialist plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates program activities to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. This role includes researching and developing program policies, conducting quality assurance analyses, and providing technical assistance to agency staff, clients, and service providers. Additionally, the specialist drafts policies and procedures, prepares reports, conducts training sessions, performs audits, and liaises with governmental and community organizations to promote program effectiveness and ensure service delivery standards are met. The position also involves assessing program effectiveness, developing improvement plans, and ensuring proper utilization of services through detailed data analysis and compliance checks.

***This position is being advertised statewide; however, the preferred office location is at the Nebraska State Office Building in Lincoln, Nebraska. For the right candidate, placement at another State office location may be considered based on available office space. ***

Examples of Work

• Research, review, analyze, and interpret federal regulations and laws, state laws, and their administrative requirements to formulate appropriate policies, procedures, and interpretations.
• Explain, clarify, and interpret operational practices, policies, procedures, and federal and state regulations to agency staff, community organizations, and the public.
• Assess program effectiveness, identify training needs/requirements, and participate in developing training materials.
• Develop the necessary resources and administrative support to ensure the efficient operation and coordination of all programs, departmental divisions, and outside agencies.
• Draft, develop, and implement policy, procedure, agreements, and program regulations as needed.
• Responsibilities also include reviewing invoices and reports, providing technical assistance, addressing technical questions, developing policies, assessing provider performance, compiling performance reports, and identifying and addressing training needs for providers.

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent coursework/training, in public administration, social/behavioral sciences, healthcare, human services or other program related field.

Professional experience working in a human/social service or health care agency with responsibility for planning or evaluation services, programs or operational policies and practices may substitute in lieu of the educational requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of one year experience working with grants, budgets, subawards/contracts, and/or human service programs.
• Ability to analyze, develop, and organize materials.
• Work collaboratively in a team setting.
• Communicate effectively electronically, virtually, and in person.
• Exercise independent critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge in Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of: the principles and practices of public administration;
• Procedure and policy development;
• Methods and techniques of program planning;
• Federal and state laws, rules, regulations and procedures pertaining to health and human services programs;
• Public funds and budgeting methods;
• The principles and techniques of adult learning;
• Quality assurance mechanisms;
• Principles and techniques of planning, monitoring and evaluating human services programs and service delivery systems.

• Skill in: interpreting and/or clarifying policy to interested groups;
• Conducting formal presentations to provide education and share information.

• Ability to: plan, organize and direct a major program;
• Work collaboratively in a team setting;
• Analyze, develop and organize materials;
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with agency staff, service providers/contractors, community organizations and clients;
• Communicate electronically, on paper or in person to promote, explain, discuss, advise and interact with interested groups on various program issues and problems;
• Prepare and review technical documents such as summaries of state and federal regulations, action plans, reports, contracts and grants;
• Understand, interpret and apply instructions, laws, rules, policies and procedures pertinent to the program;
• Exercise independent critical thinking skills;
• Maintain liaison with community representatives and other governmental agencies.

If you’re currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don’t apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub – Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics. We are seeking talented individuals to join our team in careers that make a difference in the lives of Nebraskans. Once you've had the opportunity to explore our current open positions, apply for those of interest to you. Contact [e-mail] for additional support. Check back on your candidate profile to see the status of your submitted applications, as well as any new postings that might interest you! Thank you for your interest in joining our team! State Government is one of the largest and most diverse employers in Nebraska. Whether it's helping a vulnerable child, advancing public health, making highways safer, or preserving our natural resources, the work we do matters!