The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks highly qualified candidates to fill the role of Associate Commissioner (AC) for Operations within the Access and Eligibility Services (AES) Division. AES is driven by the mission to connect Texans to services by helping individuals and families in need of food, medical care, cash assistance and other social services. Within the Chief Program and Services Office (CPSO), AES helps eligible Texans access Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and other state and federal programs administered by HHSC and AES.
The AC performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work directing and guiding strategic operations and planning for the statewide network determining eligibility for more than seven million Texans accessing health and human services.
The AC leads a strong team to oversee all aspects of:
Field operations at more than 200 eligibility offices around Texas;
Vendor activities that support daily operations for eligibility determinations and program administration;
Training and curriculum development;
Integrity Support Services; and
business support functions necessary for effective eligibility operations.
Reporting to the Deputy Executive Commissioner (DEC), the AC serves as a senior member of the AES leadership team. The AC supervises the work of others, working under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position is a hybrid position based in Austin with telework available in accordance with agency policy.
The ideal candidate will thrive in an environment that emphasizes innovation through new ideas, striving for excellence by taking pride in their work, embracing differences as a source of strength, accomplishing more through partnership, leading by example and learning for continuous improvement.
Essential Job Functions
Provides effective leadership, guidance, and oversight of the Operations team and is accountable for the team’s effectiveness in meeting short- and long-term goals. Performs all administrative functions related to management and applies appropriate techniques to effectively develop and manage team performance.
Oversees daily operations of the Operations team. Directs the planning and implementation of processes and projects related to eligibility operations for state and federal programs administered by HHSC and AES. Establishes goals and objectives consistent with agency, CPSO and AES mission, vision and values. Oversees the development and implementation of senior-level work plans and appropriately allocates resources to achieve program objectives. Ensures effective management of services performed by vendors to achieve program goals.
Establishes techniques for evaluating program activities and ensuring that activities align with federal, state and agency expectations. Oversees the evaluation of best practices and identification of emerging trends to develop and implement process and policy improvements. Maintains current knowledge of health and human services operational priorities and best practices, on state and federal level. Reviews results of investigations, audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises, takes recommendations from and provides direction to staff on policy or process changes. Ensures performance measures are current and effectively measure program goals and client outcomes.
Serves as a member of the AES senior leadership team. Provides information, advice and counsel to the DEC and agency leadership on eligibility operations. Effectively communicates program issues to leadership and works collaboratively to identify solutions. Identifies areas of needed change related to AES and makes recommendations for improvement. Effectively represents AES in meetings with executive leadership, legislators, council and committee meetings, and conferences and seminars. Maintains relationships with program and agency staff to stay informed of potential and pending program changes.
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge Skills Abilities
Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations relevant to health and human services programs.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
Knowledge of Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and TANF programs and the other state and federal programs administered by HHSC and AES.
Knowledge of eligibility operations and navigating public assistance programs.
Knowledge of state and federal legislative process.
Knowledge of strategic planning and program evaluations.
Skill in assessing risk and developing contingency plans.
Skill in using independent judgment to evaluate problems and make good decisions and recommendations.
Skill in effective communication practices, orally and in writing.
Skill in synthesizing complicated and technical information into concise responses appropriate for an external audience.
Skill in handling multiple assignments, prioritizing and delegating to meet deadlines.
Skill in leading a decentralized workforce.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives and implement effective solutions.
Ability to adapt to changing conditions and direction.
Ability to establish goals and objectives for a complex government organization.
Ability to effectively plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
Ability to effectively engage staff to achieve established goals.
Ability to collaborate and develop effective working relationships with agency team members, working quickly with multiple parties to devise solutions and resolve conflicts.
Ability to employ empathy and best practices for interpersonal communication with clients and families navigating a complex system at a vulnerable time in their lives.
Registration Or Licensure Requirements
N/A
Initial Selection Criteria
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree. Work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis. At least ten years full-time experience with human services program management or public administration. At least seven years progressively responsible experience leading operational teams and managing professional staff in a large organization. Experience managing staff distributed across multiple geographic regions.
Preferred qualifications: At least five years in an operational leadership role in a government or public organization. Experience engaging and motivating a decentralized workforce.
Additional Information
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
Applicants may not have a history of substantiated fraudulent activity against HHSC or any programs it administers. Applicants who have a non-fraud overpayment with an outstanding balance must agree to repay the overpayment balance as a condition of employment.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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.
MOS Code
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is committed to hiring veterans and creating a work environment that values and retains the skills that service members bring to the job. A veteran is an individual who has served in *the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps of the United States or the United States Public Health Service under 42 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq., as amended; *the Texas military forces as defined by Section 437.001 of Texas Government Code; or *an auxiliary service of one of those branches of the armed forces; and *has been honorably discharged from the branch of the service in which the person served. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx. VETERANS: Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor’s Office by pasting this link into your browser: http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx. For more information on military occupational specialty codes, see the Military Crosswalk Guide.
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS
Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Texas Health and Human Services by 2x