Program Specialist
State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location:
Statewide, NE

Hiring Rate:
$23.779

Job Posting:
JR2024-00010615 Program Specialist (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
10-31-2024

Job Description:
The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a motivated individual to join our Children and Family Services Team and fill the role of Program Specialist. This position provides ongoing monitoring and reviews of contractors and/or sub recipients, who have been awarded State and/or Federal funds, to provide services throughout the State of Nebraska to ensure fiscal compliance with signed contracts/sub awards/agreements.

The Program Specialist:

•Performs Child and Family Services programmatic duties that intersect with partner divisions of Nebraska Medicaid, Developmental Disabilities, and Behavioral Health.

•Ensures statutory and regulation compliance across Nebraska on programs assigned, provide technical assistance and training as requested to field staff and community stakeholders about programs assigned; this may require travel, including overnight travel.

•Assists CFS team in providing guidance regarding programs assigned.

•Explains, clarifies and interprets operational practices, policies, procedures, federal and state regulations within child abuse and neglect related to physical health, mental health, behavioral health, substance use, and developmental disabilities.

•Engages with CFS field staff, members of the general public, children and families, and other DHHS divisions.

•Assists in drafting required documents related to assigned programs during legislative session and for CFS state plans. Writing policy and program documents including federal and state reports.

•Researches, reviews, analyzes and interprets federal regulations and policies, state laws, and their administrative requirements to formulate appropriate policies, procedures, and interpretations for achieving safety, service provision, permanency and well-being for children and related topics; prepare and monitor assigned grants and contracts, including working with external contractors/providers.

•Identifies and participates in needed quality assurance processes, program improvement plan, and processes for performance accountability.

•Drafts, develops, and implements policy, procedure and program regulations related to assigned programming focused on children's well-being and ensure that staff have uniform guidelines.

Hiring Rate: $23.779 per hour - non-exempt

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Dress Attire: Business Casual

Location of position: Prefer Lincoln, but open Statewide, depending on location availability

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:

• Three to five years' experience working implementation of Children and Family Services Programming,
• excellent history of written communication and history of creating policy, work instructions and regulations.
• Prior knowledge or experience working with Nebraska Medicaid and Nebraska's Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).
• Prior experience in or working with Nebraska's Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Overall understanding of case management and Children and Family Services.

• Specific skills/experience/knowledge on Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities rules/regs/procedures.

• Managing multiple priorities, 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.

• Must be able to 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.

• Must be able to bring internal staff, external stakeholders, and other governmental agencies together in work groups, moving goals and tasks forward on a week-to-week, month-to-month basis.

• To be successful this candidate will need to be self-directed, with the ability to organize work and address multiple project needs forward.

• Work is performed under general direction, requiring initiative and latitude use of independent judgment. The principles and practices of child welfare, including alternative response, 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.

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.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.

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