DHS PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 07212026- 79261

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time07/21/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time08/03/2026 11:59PM Central TimeSalary (Monthly)$3,631.00 - $4,533.00Salary (Annually)$43,572.00 - $54,396.00Job TypeFull-TimeCity, State Location

Columbia, TN

Statewide

DepartmentHuman Services

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, MAURY COUNTY

For more information, visit the link below:

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/HRC0021135_DHS_Program_Specialist_VRCR_Maury_8326.pdf

This is a hybrid position

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree and five years of full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following: social services, human services, education, accounting, auditing, Program policy development, federal program contract management, case management, eligibility determination, and/or social services grant coordination.

Substitution of Graduate Education for Experience: Graduate course work in any social services field may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of two years.

Substitution of Experience for Education: Additional full-time professional experience in a field as listed above may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of four years.

OR

Experience equivalent to three years in human services work as a state employee or as a individual under contract with the State of Tennessee.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class may be required to:

• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority;
• Supply a fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI based criminal history records clerk.

Overview

This vacancy is within the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Department of Rehabilitation Services¿ System Administration's Contract Unit. Operationally, the System Administration Unit works under the general supervision of the Director of Quality and Compliance.

The DHS Program Specialist will be housed under the Contract Unit's Provider Relations team. This team is responsible for ensuring that VR-qualified Community Resources Providers, (CRP's) deliver high-quality, outcome-driven employment-focused services to VR customers through training, performance assessments, and technical assistance.

Responsibilities

• Identifies training needs and develops and/or conducts specialized training for staff, contracted agencies, and community organizations.
• Provides technical assistance to CRP's on the use of the AWARE case management system.
• Reviews existing policies and procedures and suggests improvements to enhance program service delivery, quality, and timeliness.
• Evaluates effectiveness of program delivery.
• Serves as a technical liaison by reviewing, interpreting, and explaining current or updated policies and procedures to staff, contractors, or partners, ensuring clear understanding,implementation, and compliance with regulations.
• Disseminates program information and promotes divisional programs to staff, providers, internal/external partners, contractors, and the public.
• Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative relationships with internal/external partners to accomplish specific tasks and projects.
• Identifies, develops, and implements long-range objectives and strategies to improve quality of service, achieve program goals, and ensure efficiency.
• Analyzes information and evaluates results to determine the best solutions and solve problems.
• Compiles, categorizes, calculates, verifies, and/or analyzes data, statistics, or other information from various systems and external sources to ensure adherence and support leadership in strategic initiatives.
• May provide input into new technologies and assist with user acceptance testing.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

• Decision Quality
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Organizational Savvy
• Communicates Effectively
• Situational Adaptability

Knowledges:

• Customer and Personal Service
• Clerical
• Law and Government

Skills:

• Active Learning and Listening
• Complex Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Reading Comprehension

Abilities:

• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension

Tools & Equipment

• General Office Equipment
• Computer/Laptop/Tablet