Program Specialist - Personal Assistance Services

State of Nebraska; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services, located in Lincoln, seeks a Program Specialist for the Personal Assistance Services (PAS) program. This role oversees administration, provides technical assistance, and supports policy development and evaluation of statewide services.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree and experience in public administration or health/human services, with duties including QA analysis, policy development, and coordination of service

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent coursework/training in public administration, social/behavioral sciences, healthcare, human services or related field.
• Professional experience in human/social services or health care with planning/evaluation responsibilities may substitute for education.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and respond to PAS requests for >40 hours per week.
• Review weekly PAS reports.
• Review for duplication of services and adjust service authorizations.

Skills

Public administration

Policy analysis

Communication

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Posting

JR2026-00028490 Program Specialist - Personal Assistance Services (Open)

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency: Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location: Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate: $24.862

Job Posting: JR2026-00028490 Program Specialist - Personal Assistance Services (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): 08-18-2026

Job Description

The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a motivated individual with a passion for "helping people live better lives" to join our Medicaid and Long-Term Care team filling the role of Program Specialist - Personal Assistance Services.

The Personal Assistance Services (PAS) program is responsible for the administration and oversight of the PAS program and provides non-medical assistance to individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions, enabling them to perform daily activities, live independently in the community, or work. Services include help with bathing, dressing, toileting, and meal preparation, often funded through Medicaid waivers or state-specific initiatives.

Under limited supervision, the Program Specialist plans and coordinates the development, administration and evaluation of a statewide health and human services program(s); serves as a resource and consultant to provide technical assistance/advice to agency staff, clients and service providers; researches and develops program policy and performs quality assurance analysis and evaluation of assigned program(s); performs related work as assigned.

"Let's make a difference for Nebraskans"

In the Program Specialist Personal Assistance Services role, you will:

• Evaluate and respond to requests for PAS participants requesting more than 40 hours of services per week.
• Review of weekly PAS reports
• Participant review for duplication of services
• Review of service authorizations

• Hire Rate: $ 24.862 per hour - non-exempt
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Dress Attire: Business Casual
• Location: Lincoln - NSOB

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: Previous work with Medicaid and/or Personal Assistance Services.

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.

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.