Youth Program Specialist

Date: Sep 3, 2026

Location: Austin, TX 78751

About the role

The Program Specialist V (Youth Program Specialist) reports to the Prevention and Educational Program Services (PEPS) Director within the Prevention and Behavioral Health Promotion (PBHP) unit of the Substance Use Programs, Behavioral Health Services. The position provides advanced, consultative technical‑assistance services, policy analysis, and program oversight for agency‑funded prevention and behavioral health promotion providers. Work includes researching and analyzing complex data, supporting evidence‑based practice implementation, drafting reports for legislators and funders, and developing contracts, statements of work, and related policies.

Essential Job Functions

• Attend work on a regular, predictable schedule; provide and document consultative service, technical assistance, and training to external providers and stakeholders, including research, facilitation of meetings, development of support plans, and shifting service settings (40%).
• Collaborate with contract management, quality management, and IT staff to develop and oversee prevention‑related services; review, approve, and document grant deliverables such as budgets and implementation plans (25%).
• Develop and revise products that support evidence‑based practices (implementation tools, memos, FAQs, one‑pagers, impact reports, statements of work) and perform advanced policy and administration work for Behavioral Health Services and Substance Use Programs (20%).
• Represent HHSC on internal and external committees, workgroups, and projects; ensure oversight and quality‑improvement aspects of primary prevention and behavioral health promotion are realistic and effective; participate in legislative activities as required (10%).
• Perform other duties as assigned, including participation in agency disaster‑response efforts, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations (5%).

Knowledge

• Primary prevention approaches and public‑health promotion methods related to substance use, misuse, and other behavioral‑health issues.
• Application of evidence‑based practices for primary prevention programs.
• Local, state, and federal laws/rules governing primary prevention services.
• Positive Youth Development (PYD), Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), and Non‑Medical Drivers of Health (NMDoH) models.
• Effective strategies for serving youth, families, and communities at increased risk for substance‑use‑disorder development.

Skills

• Effective verbal and written communication and public speaking.
• Facilitation of small to large workgroups.
• Identifying and implementing creative solutions to complex problems.
• Managing large projects and effective time management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Office 365 SharePoint, social‑media platforms, and web‑based collaboration tools (Skype, Teams, Zoom).
• Data collection, analysis, reporting, and qualitative interpretation of policy issues.
• Rapid comprehension of complex issues and prioritization to meet strict deadlines.

Abilities

• Develop complex, detailed implementation plans and resources for partners and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with diverse professionals and stakeholders.
• Use research and data to inform prevention‑related decisions in Texas.
• Conduct training, provide technical assistance, and lead cross‑functional workgroups.
• Support contract development and oversight.
• Take initiative to complete tasks independently with limited supervision.
• Contribute ideas and solutions to improve processes and outcomes.
• Think strategically and holistically while attending to detail; work well in a team environment.

Registrations, Licensure, Requirements or Certifications

• Certification as a Prevention Specialist (preferred).
• Minimum of a four‑year degree in education, psychology, public health, social work, or a related behavioral‑health field (required).
• At least one year providing technical assistance or oversight of a state or federal grant (required).
• At least two years delivering prevention, behavioral health, or social services in a community setting (preferred).
• Experience and education may be substituted on an individual basis.

Benefits

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 additional perks described on the “Benefits of Working at HHS” webpage.

Pay

Salary range: $4,523.16 – $7,253.83 per month (pay frequency: monthly). Salary Group: TEXAS‑B‑21. Position is non‑exempt, full‑time, day shift with up to 20 % travel and eligibility for telework.

Telework

This position may be eligible for telework in accordance with state and agency policies and at the discretion of the direct supervisor based on business needs.