Hiring Specialist

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: Hiring Specialist Job Title: Human Resources Specialist III Agency: Health & Human Services Commission Department: Workforce Operations MHH Posting Number: 14580 Closing Date: 03/19/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations Salary Range: $4,832.08 - $5,521.16 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 5% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Austin State Hospital Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 4110 GUADALUPE Other Locations: Austin MOS Codes: 0102,0111,0147,0170,0171,4801,4802,4803,4804,4810,4821,8411,8412,8421,8422,8840,120X,168X,38FX,3F0X1 3F3X1,3F4X1,3F5X1,3G0X1,420A,42A,42B,42H,641X,70F,741X,79R,79S,79T,79V,83R0,87Q0,8R000,8R200,8R300 99G0,NC,NCC,NCR,PERS,PS,RCM10,SEI11,YN,YNS

Job Description:

HR Workforce Operations Management provides hiring support to the large, direct-care divisions of HHSC: Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS) State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs) and State Hospitals, AES Eligibility Operations and parts of the Regulatory Services Division. Hiring specialists support managers in the screening, selection, and onboarding of new employees, and coordination of new employee orientation activities. In addition, these team members coordinate and process due diligence checks, such as background checks and pre-employment testing.

Under the general direction of the Workforce Operations Manager, the Hiring Specialist performs complex (journey-level) human resource management work facilitating the hiring process for a State Hospital or SSLC. Provides hiring support to State Hospital and SSLC managers in the posting, screening, selection and filling of vacant positions. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with State Hospital or SSLC staff, Health and Human Services Human Resources staff (HHS HR), and the HHS Employee Service Center staff.

Essential Job Functions:

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Posts job requisitions using standard posting language for both benchmarked and non-benchmarked positions for all facility vacancies and state-office positions housed at facilities.
• Corresponds with Service Center staffing specialists to finalize postings.
• Assists applicants with application process in-person or via telephone and email.
• Provides on-site support at local hiring events.
• Liaises with facility recruitment and retention specialists on candidate outreach efforts.
• Screens applications for initial screening criteria and licensure, registration and/or certification requirements; interviews applicants and/or coordinates with other staff to interview applicants; and conducts reference checks as requested.
• Prepares and extends conditional and final offers for employment to selected applicants.
• Process pre-employment due diligence checks and tests for new employees to include name-based criminal history checks (as applicable); on-site FBI-based fingerprint checks; and Client Abuse and Neglect Reporting System (CANRS) and Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR)/Nurse Aid Registry (NAR) checks.
• Processes due diligence checks and tests for all contractors and volunteers as requested.
• Notifies employees assigned to complete random drug tests (SSLCs only).
• Processes and submits selection packets, selection summaries and offers in the Centralized Accounting Payroll and Personnel System (CAPPS) Hiring Center.
• Corresponds and collaborates with Service Center staffing specialists on resolving questions and/or issues with selection summaries and offers.
• Oversees completion of new hire onboarding to include reviewing I-9 documentation, ensuring completion of required new hire forms, entering new employee data in CAPPS and E-Verify, and coordinating/leading HR-related aspects of the local new employee orientation (NEO) activities, entering shift differential and maximum-security pay (MSP) percentages.
• Compiles and maintains data for various reports and produces reports from other systems; and composes and produces correspondence and other documents.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of human resources principles and practices related to recruitment, hiring, orientation and employment.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations related to hiring and employment.
• Knowledge of CAPPS and People Soft systems preferred.
• Knowledge of agency business processes preferred.
• Skill in providing excellent customer service.
• Skill in assisting applicants with on-line application and hiring process.
• Skill in prioritizing, scheduling, organizing and handling multiple tasks.
• Skill in communicating clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in using Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, model ethical behavior, and practice and promote integrity.
• Ability to value and promote diversity.
• Ability to explain policies and procedures to employees and applicants.
• Ability to understand business processes.
• Ability to pay attention to important details.

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Prefer experience working at the Health and Human Services Commission or a state hospital or state supported living center.
2. At least 3 years' experience in a human resources or operational support role preferred.
3. Experience with liaising and coordinating work between organizational units.
4. Experience using a personal computer for inquiry and data entry.
5. Attention to detail as demonstrated by completeness of the state application.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18 - 25 must be registered with the Selective Service. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

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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 Auditors 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.

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.