Contract Specialist V

Location: Grand Prairie, TX

About the role

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Family Resources and Eligibility Resources (FRES), Access and Eligibility Services (AES) department is looking for individuals to join an exciting and dynamic team working in a high-performing and innovative environment. AES provides an integrated and streamlined approach to connect individuals to services and supports to reduce institutionalization, allow individuals to remain in their communities, and promote economic and personal self-sufficiency.

The Contract Specialist V position, under the supervision of the Office of Administration (OA) Eligibility Operations and Disability Determination Services (EODDS) Contract Team Manager, strives to achieve goals of delivering best-in-class customer service to clients and stakeholders; strengthening program oversight, integrity, and accuracy; seeking innovative ways to streamline and improve service delivery; creating and promoting a culture of excellence; and promoting departmental efficiencies and responsible stewardship of agency resources.

This position serves as the agency’s subject matter expert (SME) related to the goods or services sought through contract management functions, participates and/or oversees all phases of contract management, monitoring, and closeout for designated Outstationed Worker Program (OWP) revenue-generating contracts and agreements. The OWP plays a crucial role in processing Medicaid applications for individuals who are deemed presumptively eligible by qualified entities, such as hospitals or other healthcare providers. These workers are stationed outside of typical office environments, often within healthcare settings, to provide more accessible services to applicants.

Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive contract management for assigned contracts, including developing policies and procedures, negotiating and developing contracts, amendments, and maintaining contractor files electronically.
• Ensures all contract closeout activities are performed according to HHSC policy and informs OA management and AES leadership of significant contractor compliance and performance issues.
• Participates in and oversees the development of contracting activities such as facilitating and planning meetings, setting timelines, and developing contract documents, including letters, amendments, and renewals.
• Develops and maintains procedures to ensure accountability and documentation related to performance measures and contract management.
• Coordinates monitoring for contractual accountability activities between the State and contractors, completing assigned monitoring reviews within assigned time frames.
• Administers the billing process and eligibility monitoring functions for contract billings, including monitoring contractor invoice payments, accounts receivable reports, and ensuring timely collections.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and communications with HHSC staff, internal and external stakeholders, and provides timely responses to requests and inquiries.
• Performs written and oral communication with contractors, ensuring timely review and response on all correspondence and coordinating responses to issues and inquiries.
• Provides guidance to internal and external stakeholders regarding contract administration, policies, and procedures, and completes quality assurance checks on OWP Team contracts, agreements, risk assessments, and contract closeout processes.
• Serves as the lead in contract development activities through execution, initiates amendments, monitors contractor performance and expenditures, and provides technical assistance.
• Acts as the liaison between contractors and program staff, facilitating communication and collaboration between all contract stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college or four (4) years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum one (1) year of relevant experience in procurement, contract management, contract administration, or contract monitoring. This increases to five (5) years if substituting for a bachelor’s degree.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience interpreting federal and state laws, policies, rules, and requirements in Health and Human Services programs.
• A current and valid Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) certification issued by the Texas Comptroller’s Office is required or must be acquired within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SCOR, Salesforce, and CAPPS Financial software.

Skills

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• Knowledge of contract performance analyses and monitoring procedures.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policy, and procedures relevant to contracts.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Proficiency in operating personal computers and using applicable software, including Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, and Salesforce.
• Strong time management and project management skills.
• Ability to lead or facilitate workgroups and manage projects to completion in a timely manner.
• Ability to identify and analyze problems and propose effective solutions.
• Ability to organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret policies and develop effective operating procedures.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Pay

$5,425.33 - $8,886.16 per month.

Schedule

• Full-time, regular position.
• Day shift.
• Up to 10% travel required.
• Telework-eligible, at the discretion of AES Leadership and to meet business needs.
• Must be willing to travel to State Office (701 W. 51st St., Austin, TX) based on business needs.