Program Specialist VI

Texas Health and Human Services; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (100% for full-time)

Pension plan

Generous time off

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks a Program Specialist VI in Austin to oversee the Cross Coordination & Pharmacy Benefit Oversight team, ensuring contract compliance, performance monitoring, and policy development. Responsibilities include leading staff, coordinating with stakeholders, and driving program improvements.

The role requires advanced knowledge of contracts, strong communication, and leadership abilities, with telework eligibility and potential for career

Qualifications

• Three years of procurement, contract monitoring, or contract data reporting experience is preferred.
• Experience evaluating program policies and implementing improvements in contracts is required.
• CTCM certification is preferred or the ability to obtain it within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement program policies, procedures, rules, and guidelines for the program.
• Coordinate with enterprise programs and stakeholders to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
• Lead staff in evaluating contractor performance and directing oversight.
• Provide consultative services on performance management and oversee vendor program activities.

Skills

Contract management

Communication

Leadership

Problem solving

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

SharePoint

MS Word

Job description

Date: Sep 9, 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 VI Job Title: Program Specialist VI Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: Pharmacy Benefits Mgmt MMIS Posting Number: 21280 Closing Date: 09/23/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Healthcare Support Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83 Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 10% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 701 W 51ST ST

Other Locations: Austin

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

General Job Description

This position performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work for the Cross Coordination & Pharmacy Benefit Oversight team. This position is responsible for ensuring contract requirements are met, identifying performance trends, and evaluating improvement activities or contract remedies. This position trains, leads, assigns, and prioritizes staff assignments including development, implementation, and management of complex performance management plans for the various pharmacy benefit contracts administered by Texas Health & Human Services. This position participates in and or oversees the development of policies, guidelines, procedures, and communication produced by the unit. Participates and or Oversees compliance and project coordination with the Health and Human Services (HHS) enterprise programs and stakeholders. Develops improvement plans with stakeholders and contractors for identified deficiencies. Oversees compliance with agency policy and unit standards,processes, and procedures. Provides cross-division collaboration to ensure horizontal and vertical communication, appropriate project prioritzation, and effective resource utilization.

Essential Job Functions

• (15%) Participates In The Development Of Plans And Actions To Meet The Goals And Objectives Of The Program Including But Not Limited To The development and implementation of the program's policies, procedures, rules and guidelines affecting the overall functioning of the program; the implementation of policies, procedures, rules and guidelines deemed appropriate for the administration of the program; the development and use of evaluation tools designed by program staff to determine/measure the progress towards meeting the goals and objectives of the program; Participates in all evaluation activities of the program (internal, external and contractor evaluation); provides updates to leadership.
• (15%) Participates in and oversees compliance and project coordination with the Health and Human Services (HHS) enterprise programs and stakeholders. Consults with private and public agencies to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness. Performs other duties as assigned.
• (10%) Participates in the development and implementation of program processes and tools for use by staff to determine if contractors are meeting their contract performance obligations and directing staff toward identifying trends or anomalies that may require additional oversight and monitoring. Participates in and or oversees on-site and desk reviews of pharmacy benefit contractors.
• (20%) Provides consultative services and technical assistance to the division and department staff related to performance management and monitoring. Oversee others who represent the Vendor Drug Program including contracted vendors at meetings, hearings, trials, conferences and seminars.
• (15%) Participates in and or oversees the development and implementation of strategic goals by gathering pertinent business, financial, service, and operations information; identifying and evaluating trends and options; choosing a course of action; defining objectives; and evaluating outcomes for the program. Oversees compliance with the risk and issue management program to ensure critical risks and issues are mitigated and elevated.
• (10%) Participates in and or oversees the development of the program's goals and objectives to support the development of strategic plans and program priorities, including but not limited to: may oversee special studies and/or analysis to identify methods/processes/procedures that have a positive and negative effect on the program in order to determine areas of the program that require change to ensure the overall efficient functioning of the program; participates in and or oversees the development and implementation of effective techniques for evaluating policies, process and procedures and devising solutions to achieve program improvement.
• (15%) May participate in and or oversees the development of program communications and reports to external and internal parties regarding performance management issues, activities or results. May participate in and or oversee others who prepare status reports for management identifying progress, productivity, key milestones, results of evaluation activities, overall performance of contractor, trends or anomalies that may require additional contract oversight and action.

Requirements, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) preferred, or the ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire date and to maintain certification throughout employment.

Knowledge Skills Abilities Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relevant to the Medicaid/CHIP programs. Knowledge of contracting regulations, negotiating contracts, developing contracts, monitoring contracts. Knowledge of contract processes. Skills in operating personal computers and in using applicable software, including Microsoft products, i.e. MS Word, Excel. Ability to evaluate contracts and recommend future actions. Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations. Ability to evaluate fiscal data for reasonableness, necessity and conformity with contract requirements. Strong ability to write and edit correspondence, memoranda, contract requirements and specifications. Ability to negotiate features of a contract. Ability to monitor and evaluate contractor performance. Strong ability to communicate effectively; to monitor and evaluate contractor performance. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to lead or facility workgroups. Ability to communicate with internal and external stakeholders. Advanced Excel and SharePoint skills are preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria Three years of experience in procurement, contract data reporting, or contract monitoring work/responsibilities. Experience in the development, implementation, evaluation and interpretation of program policies and at least two (2) or more of the following areas: outpatient pharmacy, Medicaid and CHIP, state and federal legislation, managed care programs, or contract management. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis. Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) certification is preferred.

Additional Information REQ 454958 Persons interviewed will be required to participate in an in-basket exercise. Persons interviewed are encouraged to bring samples of their work products that are relevant to this posting. Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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