Program Specialist V- Agency Finance

Texas Health and Human Services; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Career advancement

Job summary

Texas Health and Human Services seeks a Program Specialist V in Agency Finance to plan, analyze, and improve complex programs and services within a state-wide agency. The role emphasizes budget controls, policy interpretation, and cross-functional collaboration with internal and external partners.

The successful candidate will support performance measurement, training, and guidance across programs while leveraging advanced Excel and tracking systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; relevant experience considered.
• Experience delivering executive-level reports and briefings.
• Strong time management and stakeholder communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, analyzes, and evaluates complex programs and services.
• Analyzes budgetary controls, financial data, and performance trends.
• Develops policies, procedures, and training materials.
• Provides consultative services and guidance to staff and partners.
• Represents the agency to internal and external stakeholders.
• Drives continuous improvement and ensures policy compliance.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Policy interpretation

Budget awareness

Train & mentor

Education

Bachelor's degree

Finance/Public Admin background

Tools

Excel

Program tracking systems

Job description

Date: Aug 25, 2026

Location: AUSTIN, TX

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 V- Agency Finance

Job Title: Program Specialist V

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: Agency Finance

Posting Number: 20550

Closing Date: 10/24/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations

Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $7,253.83

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21

Shift: Day

Telework: Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 5%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST

MOU Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description

Performs advanced senior-level consultative services and technical assistance work supporting agency programs and business functions. Plans, develops, implements, analyzes, documents, evaluates, and improves assigned programs; interprets and develops policies, procedures, standards, and manuals; analyzes performance and compliance data; evaluates the impact of legislation and policy changes; coordinates corrective actions and program improvements; and provides consultation, training, and technical guidance to internal and external stakeholders. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment. May serve in a lead capacity by training, assigning, prioritizing, and reviewing the work of others, but does not supervise employees.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

• Plans, develops, implements, analyzes, documents, and evaluates complex Health and Human Services programs, initiatives, processes, and services; establishes objectives, requirements, milestones, performance measures, and improvement strategies aligned with agency goals. 30%
• Analyzes complex state fiscal policy, appropriation authority, budgetary controls, financial and operational data, trends, and risks; develops evidence-based recommendations for related agency processes and procedures. 25%
• Develops, interprets, and revises, program policies, procedures, standards, rules, manuals, guidance, controls, and training materials in accordance with applicable requirements. 15%
• Provides consultative services, technical assistance, training, and guidance to Agency Finance and other agency staff, partner programs, government entities, vendors, or other stakeholders; serves as a liaison to explain requirements, resolve complex problems, and improve program effectiveness. 10%
• Analyzes legislation, funding changes, policies, and program variations to assess operational and financial impacts and develop recommendations for implementation, improvement, expansion, reduction, or initiation of programs. 10%
• Performs related work as assigned. 5%

Knowledge Of

• Local, state, and federal laws related to Health and Human Services programs and business functions; public administration techniques; and applicable compliance, reporting, records, and accountability requirements.
• Program management processes and techniques, including program planning, implementation, documentation, assessment, performance measurement, corrective action, continuous improvement, and stakeholder management.
• Management techniques, statistical analysis processes, budget processes, research techniques, policy analysis, and methods for evaluating program operations and service delivery.
• Training and communication techniques used to explain complex requirements, develop guidance and instructional materials, facilitate learning, and promote consistent program implementation.
• Health and Human Services operations, policies, processes, controls, systems, data, reporting relationships, and the interaction of financial, programmatic, operational, and regulatory requirements.

Skill In

• Planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and improving complex programs, initiatives, processes, policies, and services.
• Identifying valid measures and indicators of program performance and analyzing financial, operational, compliance, workload, service-delivery, and outcome data for trends, gaps, risks, and corrective action.
• Conducting comprehensive reviews of laws, rules, policies, procedures, guidance, research, reports, and operational information and converting findings into clear program recommendations.
• Providing advanced consultation and technical assistance, facilitating problem-solving, resolving conflicting requirements, negotiating practical solutions, and maintaining productive stakeholder relationships.
• Using computers and applicable software to collect, organize, validate, analyze, document, monitor, and present program and financial information.
• Leading complex assignments, prioritizing work, coordinating dependencies, reviewing deliverables, and maintaining quality and accountability under firm deadlines.

Ability To

• Gather, assemble, validate, and analyze complex facts and program data; distinguish evidence from assumption; evaluate alternatives; and devise effective solutions.
• Develop, evaluate, interpret, and apply policies, procedures, standards, laws, regulations, and program requirements consistently to complex or unusual circumstances.
• Assess legislation, policy, funding, and program variations and explain their operational, financial, compliance, staffing, and stakeholder implications.
• Communicate complex program requirements, findings, risks, and recommendations clearly in reports, correspondence, consultations, training, and presentations.
• Exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment, manage sensitive information appropriately, recognize issues requiring escalation, and maintain professional objectivity and accountability.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

May require registration, certification, or licensure in a specialty area.

Required

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
• Relevant experience in may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience preparing and delivering executive-level reports, studies, specialized projects, presentations, briefings, correspondence, and responses to requests for program information.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, public policy, program management, economics, data analytics, or a closely related field.
• Experience performing advanced program management, consultative services, technical assistance, policy, compliance, or program-assessment work in a financial or administrative environment.
• Experience planning, developing, implementing, documenting, monitoring, evaluating, and improving complex programs, initiatives, business processes, or service-delivery models.
• Experience supporting governmental finance, accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, purchasing, accounts payable, grants, revenue, cash, assets, payroll, or other fiscal business functions.
• Experience developing, interpreting, revising, implementing, and maintaining policies, procedures, standards, manuals, controls, desk guides, forms, job aids, and training materials.
• Experience conducting comprehensive reviews of statutes, legislation, rules, policies, procedures, research, audit findings, operational information, or program documentation and preparing findings and recommendations.
• Experience serving as a liaison among financial, program, policy, legal, compliance, information technology, audit, procurement, or executive stakeholders to resolve complex issues.
• Experience leading complex assignments or workgroups, assigning or prioritizing work, reviewing deliverables, providing technical guidance, and maintaining accountability.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and applicable program-tracking, reporting, workflow, collaboration, data-analysis, visualization, or enterprise financial systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex and sensitive assignments while maintaining accurate documentation, sound judgment, responsive communication, and firm deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to develop defensible, evidence-based recommendations that balance program objectives, financial stewardship, compliance requirements, operational feasibility, and stakeholder needs.

Additional Information

This position is required to work in office at the North Austin Complex two days a week.

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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.

Nearest Major Market: Austin