Functional Title: School-Based Services Program Specialist VI - Training Developer
Job Title: Program Specialist VI
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: MCS SHARS Policy
Posting Number: 21095
Closing Date: 09/22/2026
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)
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: 701 W 51ST ST
Other Locations: Austin
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS
School-Based Services Program Specialist VI - Training Developer
Are you someone who thrives in an environment that emphasizes:
• teamwork to achieve goals
• excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability
• curiosity to continuously grow and learn
• critical thinking for effective execution
• integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy?
MCS is driven by its mission to deliver quality, cost-effective services to Texans. This position makes a significant contribution to MCS's mission by supporting school-based Medicaid services training initiatives and policies.
The School-Based Services Program Specialist VI (PSVI) reports to a Manager in the Medical and Dental Benefits Policy (MDBP) unit in the Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy. It is a work environment that is met with a supportive team and management.
This position makes a significant contribution to MCS's mission by developing and executing training initiatives, performing complex medical benefits policy analysis, and consultation. The position requires excellent collaboration, presentation, writing, communication, and research skills.
The Program Specialist VI will perform highly advanced (senior level) consultative and technical work related to the training, development, and post-implementation communications of program and policy changes related to direct medical services delivered through the School Health and Related Services (SHARS) program.
This position works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The PS VI is expected to:
- understand Medicaid laws and regulations as they relate to operational, program, policy, and financing issues;
- provide subject matter expertise to agency staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, provider organizations, and the public;
- coordinate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to include the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) to develop and deliver quality training materials for the SHARS program;
- assist in ensuring compliance and resolution of SHARS services-related issues; participate in and help to facilitate meetings with stakeholders, provider associations, clients, and advisory committee members;
- serve as agency liaison to pertinent advisory committees or external workgroups related to program and policy training;
- ensure SHARS policy guidance documents, and training materials are up to date; prepare high quality written reports, correspondence, and other documents as assigned; draft and complete legislative reports as assigned;
- analyze program policies and legislation as assigned;
- and other duties as assigned.
The ideal candidate thrives in an environment that emphasizes teamwork to achieve goals, excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability, curiosity to continuously grow and learn, critical thinking for effective execution, and integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy.
Essential Job Functions:Training Development - Designs and delivers effective and high-quality training materials for implementation of school-based Medicaid benefits. Assesses school-based services program training needs through analysis of trends and other appropriate methodology. Designs and develops customized materials for webinars and in-person trainings. Delivers engaging and effective training materials to providers, vendors, and the public, both in-person and virtually, when appropriate. Evaluates the effectiveness of training initiatives and makes recommendations for continuous improvement. Collaborates with internal stakeholders to ensure training initiatives align with agency goals and objectives. Collaborates with TEA to develop webinars to help bridge the gap between education and health. (40%)
Special Projects and Workgroups - Leads or participates in workgroups and public meetings engaged in research, analysis, and evaluation of policy issues or initiatives that impact training development. Positively represents department, agency, and State in conferences and meetings, including public presentation delivery, and, as an ongoing representative on various committees and teams, as directed. Develops complex memos, briefs, project updates, summaries, reports, or other documents and keeps management informed on pertinent training related issues. Functions as a resource to other State staff providing guidance, advice, or direction. Responds to internal and external communications and requests for information in a timely manner. Identifies the need to, and communicates and consults with external stakeholders, as necessary. Speaks to community and other professional groups. Collaborates with staff in preparation for working with formal committees, councils, or workgroups. Leads or participates in special projects as requested by management. Other duties as assigned. (40%)
Policy research, analysis, and development - Researches, analyzes, and synthesizes Medicaid medical benefit policy, complicated federal and state regulations, client information, and claims processing information to determine program impact. Collaborates, as needed, with Medical Benefits staff, HHSC staff in other programs, other State agencies, and the claims system administrators for program benefit policy training development, planning, and implementation. Serves as a program subject matter expert in the development and review of program benefit policy. Develops, reviews, and provides comments on Medicaid materials intended for use by vendors, providers, and other partners. Uses data to prepare high quality research, analysis, and written project reports, updates, summaries, and other documents, as assigned. Collects and prepares responses in letter correspondence format, Microsoft Suite, or other formats, for legislators when requested. Monitors program compliance. Consults with the TEA, stakeholders, staff of other HHS agencies, providers and vendors to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness. (10%)
Quality Assurance - Participates in quality assurance activities through the development and review of school-based Medicaid benefits and related training development, including: reviewing documentation, reviewing and approving medical benefits language for internal and forward-facing training publications, documenting and tracking research, reviewing policy development, discussions, and draft training documents for the school-based Medicaid program benefit policy changes. Research provider questions or concerns with training development, documents, and publications. Maintains organized electronic files of activities and shares with staff and partners, as appropriate. Assists in the review and referral of complaints concerning medical and other providers and services, as assigned. (10%)
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: N/A
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):Knowledge of health and human services agencies and programs.
Knowledge of state and federal laws governing Medicaid, Special Education in public schools, and/or health and human services.
Knowledge of training and development procedures and techniques.
Knowledge of instructional and curriculum design.
Strong skills in analyzing and evaluating complex federal and state legislation.
Skills in researching, analyzing, and synthesizing medical and educational policy, evidence-based research and clinical best practices, claims processing systems, and program issues.
Highly organized and the ability to manage several projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment and juggle competing priorities.
Strong skills in developing and evaluating policies and procedures, assessing risks, and making recommendations.
Strong skills in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations, and write technical information in an understandable format.
Skills in project planning, evaluation, and implementation.
Ability to formulate learning objectives, develop training objectives, and assess training needs.
Ability to effectively facilitate meetings and maintain working relationships with staff or program stakeholders.
Ability to exercise creative problem-solving techniques in a highly complex environment.
Ability to work collaboratively and adapt quickly to changing circumstances and team dynamics.
Ability to work independently and perform work with a high degree of attention to detail.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to exercise judgment and work independently with minimum supervision.
Meticulous attention to detail and processes.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:N/A
Initial Screening Criteria:Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university is required. Two years of work experience in health policy, education policy or in a relevant clinical, teaching, or social services position; SHARS-related work preferred. Serving as an intern in Medicaid and CHIP Services or completion of a master's degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of related work experience.
Experience in health or education policy preferred.
At the discretion of the hiring manager, preference may also be given to candidates who have extensive work experience with training, instruction, or curriculum design for delivering special education services or other specially designated instruction to children with disabilities.
Additional Information:Applicants selected for an interview may be required to submit a resume, a professional or academic writing sample, and may be asked to complete an in-basket exercise.
Salary Note: The salary offered will follow HHS HR Policy and Procedures. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual. For internal applicants, there can be limitations in consideration of applicant's current classification and salary and is also dependent upon available budget. Only complete applications will be considered.
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