Posted 13m ago

Contract Specialist (AUSTIN, TX)

@ Texas Health and Human Services
Austin, Texas, United States
$5k-$8k/moRemoteFull Time
Responsibilities:contract development, contract management, stakeholder coordination
Requirements Summary:Experience in contract development/management, state-level contracting, and program/grant management.
Technical Tools Mentioned:MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, MS Project, Visio
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Job Description

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: Contract Specialist 
Job Title: 
Program Specialist VI 
Agency: 
Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: 
DBH BSCA 23 
Posting Number: 
16218 
Closing Date: 
05/12/2026 
Posting Audience: 
Internal and External 
Occupational Category: 
Business and Financial Operations 
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 20% 
Regular/Temporary: 
Temporary 
Full Time/Part Time: 
Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:
 Exempt 
Facility Location:
  
Job Location City:
 AUSTIN 
Job Location Address:
 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations:
  
MOS Codes:
16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 



 




















































Job Description:



This is a temporary, time limited grant funded position. This position is necessary for contract development, contract management, invoice processing, and closeout for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Grant, secured to prepare local mental and behavioral health authorities to respond to disasters. Develop and manage contracts with local and state partners to ensure that services and financial resources are available for impacted communities in the event of a disaster or incident.


 


Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Work involves planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing senior-level contract management and technical assistance to manage the federal disaster funding.



 



Essential Job Functions:



Develop and review contracts that outline the terms of collaboration among state and local partners for disaster response. This process includes coordinating the creation of contracts and detailing how they will be activated in the event of a disaster. Additionally, provide consultative services and technical assistance to the leadership of local and state contractors regarding the planning, implementation, and monitoring of relevant programs and grant services. – 30%


 


Organizing and preparing materials in response to requests for program information related to contracts with local and state partners. Responsibilities include planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing the creation, management, and closeout of disaster services contracts. 20%


 


May serve as a liaison between internal and external stakeholders, explaining the program and agency’s statutory requirements. Monitors required performance reports and recommends necessary changes. Analyzes operations and issues, preparing reports that detail findings and recommendations. May consult with both public and private agencies to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss effectiveness. Additionally, may engage with community and professional groups to coordinate, enhance, and secure financial management support for federal disaster-related funding. 20%


Develop and implement internal agency processes and external partner protocols to activate established emergency response contracts immediately upon notification of an incident. This will ensure seamless resource mobilization. The plan will include creating a protocol to identify the primary liaison between the state and external vendors. Additionally, it will involve monitoring all tracking activities and performance metrics in real time to verify that services align and comply with negotiated contracts. 10%



Involves planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing analyses of operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations, and reviews to determine compliance with contract requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and related procedures. Determines trends and resolves operational problems relating to federal disaster funding.
Prepares federal disaster reports and performs specialized research projects. 10%


 


Performs related work as assigned.   10%



 



Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:



None  



 



Knowledge Skills Abilities:



Knowledge of overall program; including federal and state guidelines, regulations, programs, policies, and procedures.

Knowledge of federal, state, and local disaster contracts, funding, policies, and procedures.


Knowledge of public administration and management techniques and program management processes.


 


Skill in responding to disaster in a behavioral health environment and working within grant parameters.


 


Skill in project management and the ability to lead project teams; work with multiple stakeholders and provide oversight to contracted vendors.

Skill in using personal computer application software such as Visio, MS Word, PowerPoint, MS Excel, MS Project, or similar programs.

Skill in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations and write technical information in an understandable format.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to conduct sophisticated research; to prepare reports; and to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures.

Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.

Ability to communicate effectively and to train.  


 


Ability to provide senior-level contract management and technical assistance to manage the federal disaster contracts.


 


Ability to function as contract support to leadership to ensure federal requirements are budgeted and expended appropriately. 


 



 



Initial Screening Criteria:



Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a preferred major course work in business, public administration or human services field.  One year (18-25 semester hours) of graduate level work from an accredited college or university in a related field such as business administration or accounting may substitute for the required work experience on a year-for-year basis.


 


At least one year of professional work experience with contract development and management experience at the state level is required.  It is preferable that this experience is with State of Texas contracting protocols.



 



 


 

 



Additional Information:



This position is time-limited, temporary, and will only be filled through the duration of the grant cycle. 


 


Ability to work the hours 8 AM – 5PM, Monday through Friday, and be flexible to work alternate hours as needed. This job announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies.


 


This position must have the ability to travel 20% or as needed to accomplish program and agency mission.


 


Job may require working beyond normal work hours including holidays and weekends, to complete the BSCA deliverables. 


 


Individuals are required to monitor program communications via iPhone, text message, and email and promptly respond accordingly. 


 


Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified of selection results. 


 


DBHC is currently teleworking, with staff reporting to the office once a week with occasional, scheduled office visits as directed by leadership. Telework is governed in accordance with agency and division telework policy and is subject to change at the discretion of leadership.



 

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.